Exorcism and the Church Militant

by Fr. Thomas Euteneuer
President, Human Life International

When most of us think of exorcism, we think of movies like The Exorcist or The Exorcism of Emily Rose. & occasionally the spoof Repossessed. & if asked, a good number of people would say demon possession is merely the stuff of a screen play or the past when people actually believed in such a thing. Sadly, these days a huge number don't even believe in the devil & other demons, let alone believe that they can possess people.

However, despite the claims of many so-called "enlightened" Catholics, the devil & other demons (fallen angels) do exist. In fact as Catholics we are required to believe just that. But Catholics also believe that they were defeated by Jesus when he died on the Cross & rose from the dead. Sadly, because so many have bought into the enlightened position, the training of both the laity & the priesthood in this area is lacking it what is needed to conduct the spiritual warfare that is a part of truly living the Christian Faith.

Fr. Euteneuer has set out to correct that problem. In explaining why he wrote this book Fr. Euteneuer makes it clear that more than ever we are called to fight the good fight for souls. In doing so we will enter into conflict with "the world, the flesh and the devil". He points out that we are in "a moral and spiritual battlefield of such immense proportions that no era of human histiory will have ever seen a war like it." In short we are in the midst of spiritual warfare. & in this war there are no pacifists or spectators.

As I said, Jesus won the victory on the cross. But He also commissioned us to bring that victory into the world. As I also said, we have allowed ourselves to be unprepared for the battle we are called to wage. God has allowed Satan to continue to wage war here on earth for a period of time. But, as Fr. Euteneuer explains, "God, in His Mercy, certainly has not abandoned us to the forces of evil." In fact, God does have a spiritual force to "counter the hubris of Satan and his apostate angels & conquer them." It is the "One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church". Fr. Euteneuer's opinion, with which I wholeheartedly agree, is that the Catholic Church "has been singularly unprepared for and unengaged in the hard work of spiritual warfare since the Second Vatican Council." He goes on to say that "the Church has yet to seriously enter the battle and become what it is called to be, the Church Militant."

Don't think that Fr. Euteneuer is saying this to get us to dispair. No, he is saying that is time for us to get the training we need to be spiritual compatants. He says the Church must "agressively apply its great authority against the power of evil in the world." We must take this call to spiritual warfare seriously. & that is why he wrote this book.

He sets out to meet 2 goals in writing the book. the 1st is to communicate a proper understanding of exorcism. As we truly understand what exorcism is we will no longer see the Church as the underdog in the battle. Rather we will se that our is a position of power and authority over Satan & other demons. We will also understand our different roles as laity & clergy in this battle. & by understanding the truth about Satan & the occult many people will be divested of the dangerous fasdcination with the occult that is so rampant these days. In fact, as Fr. Euteneuer says; "No sane person who truly understands the nature of demons would be fascinated with them or their works."

The 2nd goal is to motivate priests. He wants them to recognize the how important & normal a part of pastoral care of souls exorcism is. He fully believes that the result of all the occult influences that have been unleashed into our modern world is like the opening of a demonic Pandora's Box of unclean spirits. He sees, & I agree, that there will be an increased need for exorcism as a result.

& while the book was written mainly for priests, it is also worth reading for the laity as well. Fr. Corapi puts it well in the Foreward when he says: "Everyone seeking a more complete knowledge of the Catholic-Christian faith, indeed reality itself, can profit from a careful and prayerful reading of this book."

If you haven't figured out by now, I highly recommend this book. But before I go on to look at why I feel that way, I must add that if you are looking for a highly sensational book that focuses on Satan, then you will be disappointed. & you deserve to be. This is about Christ's victory & how we can apply it in our lives & in our evangelizing mission.

Now, why do I recommend this book. Because in it, Fr. Euteneuer has accomplished what he set out to do. At least as far as his 1st goal of helping people to understand exorcism & the truth about the occult. Since I am a lay person I can only say that I suspect any priest who is serious about living out his vocation will find plenty of motivation in what is written.

Fr. Euteneuer has divided this book into 7 chapters with several appendices. The 1st 6 chapters are in a Q & A format.

The 1st chapter starts where any study of this subject must start, by focusing in on Jesus. & in particular he focuses in on Jesus' role as chief exorcist. He does so to lay the groundwork for the Church's authority to do the same.

Chapter 2 focuses in on the theological & Biblical aspects of evil as well as the existance of demons. This chapter aims at helping us to understand the enemy. Anyone looking for sensationalism in this or other chapters had better look elsewhere. That is not Fr. euteneuer's aim. His aim is to let us know the truth about Satan & demons as well as their limits so that we will be better equipped to deal with them.

Chapter 3 looks at what exorcism is & isn't. It also deals with the Church's authority to do exorcisms as well as a general look at the exorcism ritual. Chapter 4 gives an overview of discernment issues that may come up during an exorcism. (A discernment manual is planned for Fall 2010 publishing.) Chapter 5 looks at the relationship between deliverence & healing. It also lloks at the types of deliverence prayers lay people can pray for others. Chapter 6 deals with the actual conduting of an exorcism. Since each exorcism is different it doesn't give a step by step description of a typical exorcism. Instead it looks at what may happen during the various sessions.

Chapter 7 is the only chapter that is not in a Q&A format. This chapter gives pastoral guidelines to help in conducting the exorcism ministry fruitfully. He talks about how the proper & predominant concern of the Roman Catholic priesthood as well as that of individual priests is the salvation of souls., the cura animarum. He also focuses in on the importance of preventing evil from gettng a foothold in the 1st place.

Appendices A-C deal with the 1614 Rite of Exorcism. Appendix A deals with the General Rules. Appendix B is the actual rite of individual exorcism. There is a parallel text of the Latin & English as well as the ruberics. The 1 flaw here is that for the most part it fails to give an English translation of them. Appendix C is the Exorcism of Pope Leo XIII that is used to expel the devil's sway over a building, locale etc. This exorcism is the 1 that has been used at abortion clinics.

Appendix D is an article Fr. Euteneuer wrote looking at the weaknesses & inadequacies of the 1999 revision of the ritual. Many exorcists, including Fr. Gabriele Amorth (An Exorcist Tells His Story, An Exorcist: More Stories) had strong concerns about the fact that the revision was done without consulting any practicing exorcists. As Fr. Euteneuer points out, even with its weaknesses, because it is an official prayer of the Church it does have spiritual power. (Note: Because of those concerns, then Cardinal Ratzinger worked to ensure that 1614 ritual could continue to be used. & with the recent moto proprio on the TLM it can still be freely used.)

Appendices E & F look at some documents from the Vatican on exorcism & praying for healing. Appendix G is a catechesis Pope John Paul II gave on fallen angels. Appendix H looks at the exorcism that the movie The Exorcism of Emily Rose was based on. It talks mostly about the redemptive suffering of Anneliese Michel. Appendix I has Scriptural passages relating to deliverence.

I repeat that I highly reccomend this book for both priests & laity. The book is well written. The Q&A for most of the book works extremely well. By doing it that way he enables a person to find the answers to specific questions the reader may have easily. Fr. Euteneuer also has done a service in that this book will enable people to counter the myths about exorcism. For those who have doubts but sincerely want to know the truth about the reality of demons & being possessed, this book will answer those doubts & help people to come to accept what the reality is.

Ultimately the success of this book will be measured by how priests & laity alike take & apply the message of Christ's victory. Fr. Euteneuer has provided the neccesary information & teachings. The rest will be up to those reading it to decide if they will act on it.

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Human Life International has set up a special website to order the book as well as the companion book, Demonic Abortion. This book has as its aim a look at the satanic nature of the abortion industry as well as to provide us with insight into the spiritual power we have to battle it. My copy of this 2nd book arrived Monday. A premilinary glance tells me that it will live up to my expectations.