Interview with an Exorcist

I've just read a fascinating article at The Catholic World Report entitled "Doorways for the Devil".

Below is just a small bit of the interview with Father Gary Thomas of the Diocese of San Jose, California.

I'm of the opinion that for the believer, many of responses given by Father Thomas are just plain chilling. For the unbeliever (or those who might question the Rite of Exorcism), his answers would at least give you pause to consider.

~ Have you ever engaged a demon in conversation in exorcism?

~ Father Thomas: Not other than, "What's your name?" and, "In the name of Jesus, get out!"

~ Have you ever encountered Satan himself?

~ Father Thomas: Once or twice, or at least what appeared to be Satan, because he identified himself as such.

~ Have you ever been frightened by a demon during an exorcism?

~ Father Thomas: No. I'm not frightened. I give them a certain amount of respect because they're more powerful than me alone. The only thing that makes me unafraid is having Christ on my side. If I didn't have Christ, I would be afraid, but God is more powerful than any demon.

~ How do you know if the exorcism really worked? How do you prevent the demon from returning?

~ Father Thomas: Once the manifestations stop, that doesn't necessarily mean the demon has departed. You continue the exorcism prayers for a time. That might mean the person comes back again because demons try and hide, by trying to convince the exorcist they have gone away. Demons enter through the senses-the eyes, the ears, the mouth, and the nose. I can tell through the eyes. I can see the presence. It is as if the eyes of a person look like they have Coke bottle-like contact lenses; there is a presence within the presence. But the demons are very devious, and they want to hide, and so I just continue to look at the eyes of the person after the manifestations have stopped, because sometimes it's just a ploy.

~ What is the most surprising thing you have learned in the course of doing an exorcism?

~ Father Thomas: I think simply the presence of a pure spirit and its power.

~ What happens to those who are possessed yet never get help?

~ Father Thomas: If they don't get help, they'll simply continue to deteriorate, both physically and mentally, not just psychologically.

~ In your battles against demons and Satan, what is your greatest weapon?

~ Father Thomas: It would be Christ, the invocation of Christ. That would be my greatest weapon.

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(Source - http://catholicworldreport.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=236:doorways-for-the-devil&catid=54:catholic-world-report-2011&Itemid=72)