The World Over: The Devil and Father Amorth

Vanity Fair Article on Fr. Amorth by William Friedkin

The Devil and Fr. Amorth: Witnessing "the Vatican Exorcist" at work via Mailvox: Material Evil

Fr. Amorth Has Passed Away

CWR Dispatch: Why the death of Fr. Gabriel Amorth is such a loss for the Church
We need men who fear nothing except God standing up against the deconstructionists and dissenters who claim that all that happened prior to 1965 in the Church was an embarrassment.
September 20, 2016 01:01 EST
Brian O'Neel

The Boston Pilot
CNA
Aleteia

Fr. Amorth endorses Medjugorje

Mark Shea: Fr. Gabriele Amorth: Loose Canon

(See also Richard Chonak, Donal Foley's powerful case against Medjugorje)

Edited.
Scott Richert, An Exorcist Looks at Medjugorje

CNA: Rome’s exorcist finding Bl. John Paul II effective against Satan By David Kerr (via Insight Scoop)

Fred Reed, Damn the Torpedoes, Fools’ Greed Ahead (via the Western Confucian)

Bear in mind that a great many countries fear attack by the United States, among them such trivial nations as Russia, China, and Iran. None of these has the money to build carrier groups to oppose those of the Navy.

All of these have thought about cheap ways to overcome the U.S. behemoth. Four solutions soon came to hand:

1. Very fast sea-skimming cruise missiles, such as the Brahmos and Brahmos II (Mach 5+).
2. Supercavitating torpedoes, reaching speeds of over 200 miles an hour.
3. Very quiet submarines, diesel-electrics in the case of poor countries.
4. Anti-ship ballistic missiles, such as the one attributed to the Chinese.

Any military buff knows that the Navy cannot defend itself against these. It says it can. It has to say it can. In fleet exercises against submarines, the subs always win – easily. The Pentagon has been trying to invent defenses against ballistic missiles since the days of Reagan (remember Star Wars?) with miserable results. If you have close friends in the Navy, ask them over a few beers what scares the bejesus out of them. Easy: Swarms of fast, stealthy, sea-skimming cruise missiles with multi-mode terminal guidance.

Add to the brew that today’s ships are fragile, based on the assumption that they will never be hit. Go aboard a WWII battleship like the Iowa, BB-61 (I have) and you will find 16-inch belt armor and turrets designed to withstand an asteroid strike. Now go aboard a Ticonderoga-class Aegis boat (I have). You will find an electronic marvel with big screens in a darkened CIC and an amazing SPY-1 phased-array radar that one burst of shrapnel would take out of commission for many months.

Now note that cruise missiles have ranges in the hundreds of miles. Think: Persian Gulf. A cruise missile can be boxed and mounted on a truck, a fast launch, or a tramp steamer. The Chinese ballistic missile has a range of 1,200 miles, enough to keep carriers out of aircraft range of Taiwan. I wonder whether the Chinese have thought of that?

In short, the day of surface navies seems to be coming to a close, at least as strategically decisive forces. So does the day of the manned fighter as Predator-style "drones" improve.

What happens now? Nothing – for the moment.

To understand the problem, assume for the moment that the Navy knew beyond doubt, and openly admitted in internal discussion, that it could not protect its surface ships from modern anti-ship missiles. What would it do? What could it do?

Nothing. Why? Because, apart from the missile submarines, which have no role in combat, the Navy is the surface fleet. Many, many billions of dollars are invested in carriers and careers, in escorts for carriers, in countless men trained to run them. Mothball the carriers, and the Navy becomes a few troop ships useful for unopposed landings. Maintaining a large fleet only to support the Pentagon’s preferred role of massacring half-armed peasants would just be too costly.

So, does the Navy say to Congress, "We really aren’t of much use any longer. We suggest that you scrap the ships and put the money into something else"? Mankind doesn’t work that way. The appeals of tradition, ego, and just plain fun run high. (Never underestimate the importance of ego and fun in military policy.) A CVBG is a magnificent thing, just not very useful. The glamor of night flight ops, planes trapping ker-whang!, engines howling at full mil, 30 knots of wind over the flight deck, cat shots throwing fighters into the air – this stuff appeals powerfully to something deep in the male head. The Navy isn’t going to give this up.

Thus it can’t admit that its day comes to a close, whether it knows it, suspects it, or refuses to think about it. The carrier is forever. Unless one gets sunk.

Japan's Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada, second right, listens to Rear Adm. Richard B. Wren, second left, the USS George Washington strike group commander, as Okada inspects the nuclear-powered U.S. aircraft carrier at the U.S. naval base in Yokosuka, Japan, Saturday, April 10, 2010. (AP/Daylife)

Japan's Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada, center, led by Rear Adm. Richard B. Wren, second right, the USS George Washington strike group commander, as Okada inspects the nuclear-powered U.S. aircraft carrier at the U.S. naval base in Yokosuka, Japan, Saturday, April 10, 2010. (AP/Daylife)

Japan's Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada, left, listens to Rear Adm. Richard B. Wren, right, the USS George Washington strike group commander, as Okada inspects the nuclear-powered U.S. aircraft carrier at the U.S. naval base in Yokosuka, Japan, Saturday, April 10, 2010. (AP/Daylife)

Japan's Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada, third right, visits the flight deck control room, led by Rear Adm. Richard B. Wren, right, the USS George Washington strike group commander, as Okada inspects the nuclear-powered U.S. aircraft carrier at the U.S. naval base in Yokosuka, Japan, Saturday, April 10, 2010. (AP/Daylife)



Some photos of the F-18 Hornet.

An F-18 jet flies during a performance from aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson in Rio de Janeiro, Wednesday, March 3, 2010. The aircraft carrier arrived Friday to take part in sporting activities with Brazil's naval forces. (AP/Daylife)

An F-18 jet lands on aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson during a military exhibition in Rio de Janeiro, Wednesday, March 3, 2010. The aircraft carrier arrived Friday to take part in sporting activities with Brazilian naval forces. (AP/Daylife)

An E-2 Hawkeye, top, and five F-18 jets fly in formation during a military exhibition from aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson in Rio de Janeiro, Wednesday, March 3, 2010. The aircraft carrier arrived Friday to take part in sporting activities with Brazil's naval forces. (AP/Daylife)

I haven't been attracted to the US Navy for quite some time, not since high school. My interest was not in naval aviation, despite my enjoyment of Top Gun, or being on a submarine, but in surface ships. And there's the dress uniform, both the winter and summer versions. When I was at Christendom Sarge talked about the SEALs, and at the time I had a high opinion of them, but that wasn't enough to induce me to go into the Navy.

Also via the Western Confucian: Memoirs of an Exorcist.

CNA: Satan behind media attacks on the Pope, asserts Italian exorcist

Does Fr. Amorth risk discrediting himself through too much media exposure and pointing the finger at the devil as the cause of a lot of bad events?

Yesterday I read through The Rite by Matt Baglio. I didn't know the book was based on the experiences of a local priest. I knew he was the official exorcist for the diocese, but I didn't make a connection between him and the priest mentioned by the book, though the name sounded familiar. The book is a good introduction to the ministry of the exorcist and makes it clear why such a ministry is necessary; I probably wouldn't add it to my personal library though.

It seems that Fr. Carmine, the mentor, employs the revised Ritual. This is an assumption that I am making, since the book talks about the revision, and it never says that Fr. Carmine uses the older ritual, which Fr. Amorth prefers.

Fr. Amorth claims, in reference to the new Ritual:

Then Point 16 solemnly declares that one should not carry out exorcisms if one is not certain of the presence of the devil. This is a masterstroke of incompetence: the certainty that the devil is present in someone can only be obtained by carrying out an exorcism.

However, the book quotes unnamed exorcists as saying that a simple blessing suffices as a diagnostic tool, and that an exorcism is not necessary (nor is it permitted for such a purpose).

I don't have the book with me now so I can't look up page numbers.

From last year: Ritual of Dealing With Demons Undergoes a Revival
International Association of Exorcists

Zenit: Rome's Exorcist Gives Inside Look at Devil

Rome's Exorcist Gives Inside Look at Devil,

Urges Separating Possession From Psychiatric Problems

ROME, APRIL 11, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Some of the mystery surrounding the devil and exorcism is being unveiled in a television and Internet report series, detailing the work of the exorcist of the Diocese of Rome.

Society of St. Paul Father Gabriele Amorth, Rome's exorcist for the past 21 years and a specialist in the figure of Mary, explained in the first edition of the series how he performs exorcisms.

"I go to one of Rome's churches, to a parish that is closed during the day," he said. "There is Mass in the morning and then the church is closed. There I perform the difficult exorcisms. I always work with seven to 10 people who help me, and use a small bed. Sometimes we need to tie people down or simply subdue them."

With Christ, the priest said, it is possible to overcome the devil: "The exorcist acts in the name of Jesus and with the strength that comes from Jesus."

Is he real?

The first question Father Amorth addressed in the report is if the devil exists: "I respond with the words of John Paul II, who was once asked this question: 'Your Holiness, I find many bishop who don't believe in the devil.' And John Paul II responded: 'One who doesn't believe in the devil doesn't believe in the Gospel.'

"The devil is an angel, and therefore, a pure spirit created good by God and who perverted himself because he rebelled against God. Therefore, he maintains all the characteristics proper of a pure spirit, such as a very large intelligence, immensely bigger than ours."

The devil is pleased by the way he is generally represented -- with wings and a tail, horns, as a bat, etc. -- because these images make him seem ridiculous and help people to believe that he does not exist, the exorcist reported.

Medical or spiritual

Father Amorth suggested that diabolic problems be separated from psychiatric ones; and to do so an exorcist is needed in every diocese to help in discernment.

"Normally when a person experiences these conflicts and problems, the first thing he does is see a doctor and psychiatrist," he said. "It is very difficult to distinguish the devil's action from a psychological problem. The person goes to a psychiatrist and after years of therapy obtains no result.

"Then he begins to suspect that the problem is not a natural one and goes to a conjurer from whom he obtains even greater harm. This is what normally happens. At this point, it is possible that someone more experienced in these matters suggests an exorcist."

Our Lady

The exorcist confirmed that Satan's great foe is the Virgin Mary.

He explained: "On one occasion an exorcist friend of mine asked the devil what most hurts him about Our Lady, what most annoys him. He responded, 'That she is the purest of all creatures and that I am the filthiest; that she is the most obedient of all creatures and that I am the most rebellious; that she is the one who committed no sin and thus always conquers me.'"

Father Amorth affirmed that on some occasions, God forces the Prince of Lies to tell the truth, however, the devil's main struggle is to make man fall into sin.

"To lead man towards evil is to make him fall into sin; this is the devil's preferred activity and we are all subject to it from our birth until our death."

According to Father Amorth, Mary is a key figure in the fight against the devil's tricks, especially since she herself was tempted: "Mariology is my field and I have often been asked if Mary was tempted by the devil. Definitely. When? From her birth until her death. But she always triumphed."

Parts of the weekly reports, transmitted in eight languages, can be viewed at H2oNews.

20/20 feature on exorcism

here

Fr. Gabriel Amorth is interviewed briefly as a part of the story.

More pointless debates about Fr. Amorth

Unless one is really just trying to attack his credibility and to diminish his status as an authority on the subject. (With the same attackers and defenders seen elsewhere.)

Jimmy Akin
American Papist (who turns out to be the son of Dr. Ed Peters, who also blogged on the same subject)

I appreciate the work being done by the defenders, but I don't think those who are personally opposed to Fr. Amorth, or disapprove of some of what he has written, would be truly satisfied unless someone with ecclesiastical authority stepped in and provided a statement. (Not even Fr. Amorth being present to respond to his critics would satisfy, though I would like to see some people address their criticisms to him directly. He has an address in Rome, after all.)

Perhaps people should be doing more praying than debating/attacking--if they wish to issue a caution about his books based on their authority, they may be free to do so in the blogosphere, but really, until Fr. Amorth is stripped of his status and rebuked by the Church (or someone with authority provides some sort of reasoned justification why such action should be taken, instead of advancing their own opinion on how canon law and liturgical norms should be interpreted and adhered to), some reserve in judgment would be called for.

Makes me wonder if Catholics should waste (oops, spend) time on the Internet instead of practicing corporal and spiritual works of mercy with their neighbors. (And yes, this criticism applies to me as well.) Too many people advancing their own opinions in the name of "teaching." (As for this one, if you think I have this same problem, feel free to call me on it or ask for the arguments. It's what a real philosopher looks forward to, until the discussion obviously become pointless. While my time is limited, I will try to at least give the beginnings of the argumentation. Just keep in mind fraternal charity, and pray that I remember as well. Haha, as if no more than a few people are actually reading this.)

The Western Confucian notes this post at The Inn at the End of the World recounting a story:

And it reminds me of a story I heard in school years ago. I was educated by the Salesians and one of our priests told this story he heard from one of the "participants" when he was in seminary. (Yes, it means this is a third, possibly fourth hand story, depending upon how you count. The hearsay objection would be sustained if this weren't my own blog.)

In the 1930's some German priests had already been arrested for their anti-Nazi activities. These two Salesian priests had been arrested and were in prison. (Not a concentration camp but as I recall a general common or garden variety sort of prison.) At one point the inmates were bused in to some sort of Nazi rally to swell the numbers. They were well out of the way and guarded but it looked good when photographed from a distance. Hitler was to speak at the rally. The two priests had talked of Hitler and had similar opinions about him. When he appeared they planned quietly to recite prayers of exorcism over him from wherever they happened to be. They did so. He was not very far into his speech and the priests not too far into the exorcism prayers, when Hitler stopped in mid sentence and fell to the floor as if he'd been sandbagged.

At which point the rally was over and the priests and other prisoners were shipped back to the prison and the rally was never mentioned again.

Fr. Amorth in the news

American Papist directs our attention to this article in the Daily Mail, in which Fr. Gabriel Amorth, the chief exorcist of Rome, claims that both Hitler and Stalin were possessed by the devil. Rasputin, perhaps. But both Hitler and Stalin? Makes me want to read the Lukacs book, 1941.

Would the vicar of Rome really keep someone unstable or kooky on as chief exorcist? And under the watch of the pope? One would have more faith in our bishops, unless there were a plot *gasp* to discredit the Church and the ministry of exorcist. Another Masonic conspiracy?

Regardless, it is his own personal opinion of Hitler and Stalin--it does not appear that he has any evidence, just an inference he is drawing from their actions. Certainly, looking at the number of deaths for which they were responsible, one does not doubt that the devil was involved in some way. But a full-blown possession?

On the other hand, Himmler is rumored to have been dabbling in the occult. Even if Hitler was not as interested, might he have taken part in some ceremony?

wiki entry on Nazi mysticism (rather undeserving of the name "mysticism," isn't it?)

Ed Peters and Sandra Miesel have expressed reservations with Fr. Amorth's book, An Exorcist Tells His Story. I think their concerns are unfounded, since what he says can be interpreted differently, but since we are not exorcists what first-hand knowledge would we really have of infestation and possession? I do believe that witchcraft/black magic exists, and that many folk religions that make use of such practices have ties to the occult, especially in the use of curses. (For example, shamanism, which has not died out in Korea. I wonder if curses are used in "religious" Daoism, though charms and spells are.)

Alas, there is no website for the International Association of Exorcists.

Now, I must get back to polishing the Spear of Destiny... and no, it doesn't "belong in a museum."
(Supposedly Karen Allen will be back for the next Indiana Jones movie, along with Indy's love child?)

Actually the Holy Lance is reputedly in Armenia; I will say something about that when I finish my post on Armenia.