Irish Priest warns demonic possession on the rise

By Marshall Connolly (Catholic Online)
1/26/2018 (1 year ago)
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)

An Irish priest has warned that demonic possession is on the rise. Fr. Pat Collins, a trained exorcist, has asked the bishops of Ireland to train more priests to help as the number of cases grows. 

LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network) - Demonic possession is on the rise, according to Fr. Pat Collins, an Irish priest and exorcist. Fr. Collins has warned that he needs help to deal with the demand, which "has risen exponentially." 

Fr. Collins and other exorcists around the world have come to the same conclusion. Exorcisms are on the rise. Nobody can explain why. 

Most cases of exorcism are cases of mental illness. The Church takes time to determine if a person is mentally ill or genuinely possessed. This is a requirement of the Catholic Church. In cases of illness, the Church refers patients to mental health professionals. However, a number of cases appear to be genuine demonic possession. in which case an exorcist like Fr. Collins can help. 

In 2014, the coming crisis was revealed as the International Association of Exorcists, a 400-person strong group of Catholic priests and other leaders announced a dramatic increase in activity. So far, nobody can explain why the number of cases has been rising so fast. 

Risk factors include secularism and atheism, as well as a growing interest in Satanism and the occult. 

Fr. Vincent Lampert, an exorcist in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, recently told CNA News in an interview that the best way to avoid demonic possession is to remain close to the Sacraments. 

It must be emphasized that God, Satan, and demons are real. Many Christians, including Catholics, have downplayed the existence of evil spirits and their influence over people. While we are responsible for our choices and our behavior, some people can open themselves up to possession and can then be influenced by evil. Regular attendance at Church, prayer, reception of the Sacraments, including Reconciliation and Holy Communion help to keep evil at bay. 

If you believe you or someone you love is suffering from demonic possession, it is important to seek help. Each diocese or archdiocese usually has a trained exorcist. They can also direct people to mental health professionals who will perform an evaluation. 

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