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Books on minor exorcism ‘response to need’
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| By Sharyn McCowen
7 October, 2012 |
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| ‘PASTORAL CARE’: Bishop Porteous (left) with Fr Jordan at the launch. |
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Two new books on exorcism and spiritual affliction by Bishop Julian Porteous, auxiliary bishop of Sydney, are a response to a lack of pastoral understanding on these issues that he has witnessed in recent years.
The launch took place at St Mary’s Cathedral House on the evening of Friday, 28 September.
It was attended by an audience which included about 20 priests from the archdiocese and beyond.
“My involvement in this has emerged in recent years because of me,” he said.
“I’ve come across a number of people who contacted me, wanted to speak to me ... who were troubled in some form or another with some sort of spiritual affliction.
“I began to look at this area afresh, and in particular what I became concerned about was the number of people who told me that when they went to their local parish or their priest, the priest either didn’t really know what to do, what to recommend or how to help this person, or in some cases the priest said, ‘We don’t do that anymore, that’s no longer part of the Church’.”
“People are obviously turning to the Church because they felt it was the place they could get help … what they were dealing with was of a spiritual nature.”
Bishop Porteous said it can be difficult to correctly understand and interpret accounts by those experiencing spiritual affliction, but it is important to clarify if there is a demonic element.
The bishop, who consulted psychologists in writing the books, said there is an important connection between the field of psychology and the Church when dealing with these matters.
In launching the books, Fr Greg Jordan sj, said the first volume, The Manual of Minor Exorcisms for the Use of Priests, is a “mini liturgical book for pastoral care of the sick or anything of that nature”.
The second is Prayers for those in Spiritual Affliction.
“Thirty or forty years ago ... the reaction would be one of mystification – what do we need them for?” he said.
But the need for such books is now so great, Fr Jordan said, that the first consignment sold out overnight.
“These booklets are invaluable,” he said.
“Most people have remained in ignorance about the demonic and about its influence, and the Church’s answer to it, even priests.
“It lays down the boundaries that the Church sets in these matters.
“The well-instructed is the well-armed.”
For more information contact St Pauls on 9394 3400.
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