Deliverance and Exorcism

Introduction

This book gives a few details of deliverance and exorcism. Deliverance belongs to the Lord (Ps 3:8) and prophet Jeremiah affirms it by saying that God will surely deliver the one who trusts in Him (Jer 1:8). Humanity needs freedom from oppression, obsession and possession of the devil and demons. Divine knowledge sets one free from all demonic bondages because the scripture reiterates, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free” (Jn 8:32). Jesus says, “If the Son of man has set you free, you will be freed indeed” (Jn 8.36). This exposition has three parts. The first part explains the terms deliverance and exorcism according to the Bible and Magisterial teachings. The second part provides details of different types of demons or evil spirits according to the scriptures, Church teachings and practical experiences. The third part cites some practical issues, superstitions and esoteric practices which are to be avoided. It also warns the present generation.

Part I

Difference between Deliverance and Exorcism

Deliverance is generally done to cast out demons. Exorcism is done mainly by a priest who is authorized by the local ordinary to cast out Satan or Lucifer. There are also profane exorcists, who, transfer the spirit from one body to another; or from one object to another; or from one place to another because they do not have the power to bind and cast out spirits as the disciples of Jesus have. Only Jesus has defeated Satan and the demons when he died on the cross (Col 2:14-15). Therefore, only his disciples have the power to bind and cast demons (Mk 16.17). John and the other apostles saw an exorcist who was exorcising using the name of Jesus and they forbade him and reported it to Jesus. Jesus told them that anybody who believed in him and used the power in his name can cast out demons and the devil. He asked them not to forbid anyone (Lk 9:49-50).

Exorcism

“When the Church asks with its authority in the name of Jesus that a person or object be protected against the power of the Evil One and withdrawn from his dominion, it is called an exorcism. This is done in ordinary form in the rite of Baptism. A solemn exorcism, called a major exorcism, can be performed only by a priest authorised by the bishop” (CCCC 352 and also in CCC 1673).

“No one may exorcise lawfully the possessed without the special and expressed permission of the local ordinary. This permission is to be granted only to a priest who is endowed with piety, knowledge, prudence and integrity of life” (CIC 1172).

Deliverance prayer is meant to cast out demons, but exorcism is done to cast out Satan. The first one can be done by all the believers (Mk 16:17) but the second is reserved for priests alone. A profane exorcist only transfers the demons from one person to another; or from one place to another; or from one object to another, because he or she does not have the authority to bind and cast out the spirits. Only Jesus has conquered and defeated Satan and demons. Therefore, only a priest belonging to Jesus’ church has the power and authority over these beings and can bind and cast them out. At times through the ordinary deliverance prayer itself along with other demons, Satan too will be cast out.

The Identity of Satan (CCC 2851)

“Evil is not an abstraction, but refers to a person, Satan, the Evil One, the angel who opposes God. The devil (dia-bolos) is the one who "throws himself across" God's plan and his work of salvation accomplished in Christ.”

Satan or Devil or Evil One is a person who has no body but is pure spirit. He is known as Lucifer or Beelzebul (Lk 11:19).

Work of the devil (CCC 2852)

"A murderer from the beginning, . . . a liar and the father of lies," Satan is "the deceiver of the whole world." Through him, sin and death entered the world and by his definitive defeat all creation will be "freed from the corruption of sin and death." “Now, we know that anyone born of God does not sin, but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him. We know that we are of God, and the whole world is in the power of the evil one (1Jn 5:19)."

The Lord who has taken away the sins of humans and pardoned faults also protects and keeps from the wiles of the adversary, the devil, so that the enemy, who is accustomed to leading into sin, might not surprise. One who entrusts himself to God does not dread the devil. "If God is for us, who is against us?"

Jesus Conquered the Devil (CCC 2853)

“Victory over the "prince of this world" was won once for all at the Hour when Jesus freely gave himself up to death to give humanity his life. This is the judgment of this world, and the prince of this world is "cast out." "He pursued the woman" but had no hold on her: the new Eve, "full of grace" of the Holy Spirit, is preserved from sin and the corruption of death (the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption of the Most Holy Mother of God, Mary, Ever Virgin). "Then the dragon was angry with the woman, and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring." Therefore, the Spirit and the Church pray: "Come, Lord Jesus," since his coming will deliver us from the Evil One.”

Jesus taught us to pray, “deliver us from the evil one” (Mt 6:13). This is our daily prayer as part of the Lord’s prayer. Jesus also prayed for us, “…do not take them away from the world but I pray that You protect them from the evil one….” (Jn 17:15)

The Demons

They are angels who were created good but they along with their leader Lucifer disobeyed God and rejected His kingdom. Jesus reiterates that all who believe in him will cast out demons (Mk 16:17).

Origin of Satan, Demons and their Work (CCCC 74)

“This expression indicates that Satan and the other demons, about which Sacred Scripture and the Tradition of the Church speak, were angels, created good by God. They were, however, transformed into evil because with a free and irrevocable choice they rejected God and his Kingdom, thus giving rise to the existence of hell. They try to associate human beings with their revolt against God. However, God has wrought in Christ a sure victory over the Evil One” (CCCC 74 and also in CCC 391-395 & 414).

Satan has No Infinite Power (CCC 395)

“The power of Satan is, nonetheless, not infinite. He is only a creature, powerful from the fact that he is pure spirit, but still a creature. He cannot prevent the building up of God's reign. Although Satan may act in the world out of hatred for God and his kingdom in Christ Jesus, and although his action may cause grave injuries - of a spiritual nature and, indirectly, even of a physical nature - to each man and to society, the action is permitted by divine providence which with strength and gentleness guides human and cosmic history. It is a great mystery that providence should permit diabolical activity, but "we know that in everything God works for good with those who love him."

How do Satan and Demons enter human beings?

1. Random Selection – Job was a just man. “There was once a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. That man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil” - (Job 1:1). “The Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man who fears God and turns away from evil’” - (Job 2:3a). But he was randomly selected by the Devil to be persecuted and God allowed it. God said to Satan, “He still persists in his integrity, although you incited me against him, to destroy him for no reason” (Job 2:3b). In the same way in our time some innocent people can be afflicted and persecuted by the Devil randomly.

2. Mortal sins and other sins – Unrepented mortal sins and other sins can invite the dominion of the evil. For example, Judas - “After he received the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, ‘Do quickly what you are going to do’” – Jn 13:27.

3. Witchcraft, Superstitions, practise of Esotericism, New Age movements etc. – These practices directly invite the dominion of Satan and demons in human life. All those who are involved in it directly or indirectly or being victimised may be afflicted by the evil spirits. “You foolish Galatians! Who has done black magic against you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly exhibited as crucified!” (Gal.3:1). Galatians faith was being destroyed by witchcraft. Therefore, even your faith can be destroyed if somebody has done witch craft against you.

4. Third Party Influence - There is a possibility of being afflicted by evil spirits if you possess some objects like houses, assets, animals etc which were already used for Blackmagic or sorcery. This affliction will continue as long as you have them or until you have given up all these objects.

Remedies – Deliverance prayer of Pope Leo XIII (pp 35-40), exorcism, confession, binding and casting out prayer (p 103) etc.

Power of Satan and Demons in the OT and NT

Satan worshipers also make use of the word of knowledge and it might even take place as they foretell. Though sorcerers or soothsayers might say things soothing or against; and it might come to pass, even then one should not follow them. It will be a trap. One should not consult with them (Dt 13:1-5).

It is observed that Elymas, who worked wonders through the power of the demons was rebuked by St. Paul. He made him blind until he repented! (Acts 13:6-12)

“So, Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did as the LORD had commanded; Aaron threw down his staff before Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a snake. Then Pharaoh summoned the wise men and the sorcerers; and they also, the magicians of Egypt, did the same by their secret arts. Each one threw down his staff, and they became snakes; but Aaron's staff swallowed up theirs” (Ex 7:10-12).

Acts 16:16-18 mentions of the fortune telling spirit. “One day, as we were going to the place of prayer, we met a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners a great deal of money by fortune-telling. While she followed Paul and us, she would cry out, ‘These men are slaves of the Most High God, who proclaim to you a way of salvation.’ She kept doing this for many days. But Paul annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, ‘I order you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.’ And it came out that very hour”

Scriptural References to Overcome the Powers of Demons

Demons will become dust under your feet, when God works for you (Mal 4:3).

Soon the God of peace will destroy the demons under your feet as dust! (Rom 16:20b)

The one who is inside is more powerful than the one who is outside (1Jn 4: 4).

Resist the devil and he will flee from you (Js 4:7).

Resist the devil, who is prowling like a lion to devour someone (1Pt 5:7-8).

Bind Satan (Tob 8:3) and cast him out and send him to the feet of Jesus (Heb 10:13).

Jesus has come to this world to undone what the devil has done against humanity (1Jn 3:8).

Part II

Different Types of Spirits

The Bible considers the following as evil spirits. It does not mean that they are demons or the devil but they can also be considered as evil tendencies or manifestations caused by evil spirits directly or indirectly caused by giving consent to the temptations of the evil spirits. In the same way, there are also good tendencies or manifestations caused by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit directly or indirectly caused by the motivation gifts (natural talents and instincts). These are good spirits and one needs to promote such spirits. Few examples are team spirit, nationalistic spirit, sportsmanship spirit, stable spirit, enduring spirit, spirit of compassion, innate talents and others. But it is important to bind and cast out the evil spirit, in the name of Jesus and send it to the feet of Jesus. Jesus had said that those who believe in Him, would cast out demons in His name (Mk 16:17) and He commanded them to do it as well.

God will deliver us from the spirits, when we stand for God as the Psalmist prays in Ps. 68:1-2 “Let God rise up, let his enemies be scattered; let those who hate him flee before him. As smoke is driven away, so drive them away; as wax melts before the fire, let the wicked perish before God.” The following are some of the names and manifestations of evil spirits:

1. Hasty Spirit (Mt 26:51) “Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear.” Peter did it without thinking twice. Such a kind of spirit, working in a person is called a hasty spirit.

2. Spirit of Lust (Mt 5:27- 28) “You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery' but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Spirit of fornication, adultery (1Cor 6 :18), masturbation, homosexuality, pornography, orgy, premarital and extramarital sex and others are some of the manifestations of spirit of lust. Pre-marital sex at times leads one to hate one’s life partner before marriage or after the marriage, as in the case of Amnon vs Tamar (2Sam 13:15-16). That is the danger of premarital sex or extra marital sex. That type of hatred is created by the devil. The devil comes to destroy, steal and kill. That happened in Amnon’s life.

3. Spirit of Nudity (Mk 5:1-20) Gerasene demoniac could not bear to have cloth on his body (Mk 5:15). Those who have this spirit may not wear proper clothes in accordance with their ages. They might exhibit their nakedness or would like to enjoy the nudity of other people. Mk 5:15 states, “They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the legion; and they were afraid.”

4. Spirit of Wealth (Mt 6:24) You cannot serve two masters: God and wealth. “No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” All those who have this spirit have only one aim in their life and that is to earn money and buy pleasures with their wealth.

5. Spirit of Pride (Lk 10: 20) It is a ‘better than thou’ attitude and pride in one’s own achievements. Jesus said, “Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven" (Lk 10: 20).

6. Spirit of Vengeance (Lk 9: 51-55) “When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, ‘Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?’ But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village.” Jesus rebuked the spirit of vengeance.

7. Broken Spirit (Ps 51) These people may act quickly and make mistakes or even harm their body. "He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. Then he said to them, "I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me" (Mt 26:37-38). Jesus overcame this spirit of brokenness by prayer and communion with his Father.

8. Spirit of Jealousy (Acts 5:17-18) “Then the high priest took action; he and all who were with him (the sect of the Sadducees), being filled with jealousy, arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison.”

9. Spirit of Slumber (Rom 11:8) “as it is written, ‘God gave them a sluggish spirit, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day.’’’ Those who have this spirit might sleep always, while praying or reading the Word of God or listening to the Word of God. A variation of the spirit of slumber can also be, “Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, ‘So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak’” (Mt 26: 40-41).

10. Spirit of Disobedience (Eph 2:1-2) “You were dead through the trespasses and sins; in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient.” The ones with this spirit are disobedient to every authority – man’s and God’s.

“And Samuel said, ‘Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obedience to the voice of the LORD? Surely, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams’” (1Sam 15:22).

11. Spirit of Sickness or Infirmities (Lk 13: 11-12) “And just then, there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, "Woman, you are set free from your ailment." Jesus considered sickness as a bondage (Lk 13:16). Jesus cast out the spirit of infirmity and took the infirmity upon his body and set us free (Mt 8:17). Even today some Christians have a Stoic approach. It is not a good Christian spiritual approach. (Philosopher Zeno was an ancient Greek philosopher and his disciples are known as Stoics). A Stoic achieves happiness by submission to destiny or sufferings. Or a Stoic is someone who is seemingly indifferent to emotions and sufferings. St. Paul negated it and he said that “…we are all the more conquerors in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:37). CCC 1 reveals that we are called to share a blessed life with God. Above all the Bible shares that we are called to inherit a blessing and not a curse (1Pt 3:9).

12. Spirit of Poverty (2 Cor 8:9) St. Paul says, by the poverty of Jesus we have become rich. The Mother Church reiterates in CCC 517 and 2448 that by the poverty of Jesus, we have to become rich. The vow of poverty is excellent but temporal poverty is a social evil. All those who have this bad spirit will never have enough riches even though they work hard.

13. Crippled Spirit (Lk 13:10-17) Jesus says “And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?" (Lk 13:16) Jesus set her free from the bondage of the crippled spirit and then she was healed.

14. Returning Spirit (Lk 11:24-26 and Mt 12:43-45) "When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it wanders through waterless regions looking for a resting place, but it finds none (Mt 12:43). Then it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' When it comes, it finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings along, seven other spirits, more evil than itself, and they enter and live there; and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So, will it be also with this evil generation." Therefore, we have to bind and cast out the devil and demons (Tob 8:3), from upon our family and relatives up till the first degree of consanguinity. If we do not bind before casting out the spirits, it may come back with seven-fold strength.

15. Spirit of Epilepsy (Lk 9: 37- 43) A boy with a demon was healed by Jesus. Possession by the demon, was the reason of his epilepsy.

16. Self-hurting Spirit or Suicidal Spirit (Mk 5: 1- 20) The man with many demons used to hurt his body with stones. Jesus set him free with a command.

17. Unclean Spirit (Mt 12:43) "When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it wanders through waterless regions looking for a resting place, but it finds none.” Those who are possessed with this kind of spirit cannot be clean. They live like pigs in a piggery.

18. Spirit of Substance Abuse (1Tim 5:23) Therapeutic use of wine is recommended by St. Paul. Use of things or substance like alcoholic beverages is a personal choice (1Tim 6:17), but abuse is a grave sin (CCC 2290-2291). Alcoholism or drunkenness, drug abuse, over-eating, seeking undue pleasures and others are all grave sins.

19. Spirit of Fear (2Tim 1:7) “for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.”

20. Spirit of Anxiety (1Pt 5: 6-7) “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.”

21. Spirit of Worries and Tensions (Mt 6: 25- 33) Jesus recommends that we believe in the providence of God and be freed from all types of worries and cares. We ought to remember that we are prayer warriors and not prayer worriers.

22. Spirit of Tiredness and Weakness All those who have this type of possession, will not have any energy in their body or mind but would always be tried and wearied.

23. Spirit of Depression and Mental Sicknesses The ones with this spirit, might not have any clinically proven sickness or disease but they will have manifestations of depression or other types of major mental diseases. They are in need of deliverance prayer and not really in need of medicines.

24. Spirit of Disunity, Dissensions and Factions Those who have these types of possessions will not enjoy unity or peace in the family/community/society.

25. Spirit of Infatuations It is a bad tendency to have inordinate/illegal or illicit sexual inclinations/attractions/relationship with or for someone. This kind of relationship might not culminate in holy matrimony or would not even be intended to reach the marital relationship. It would lead towards lustful actions.

26. Spirit of Hatred (Acts 8:23) “For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and the chains of wickedness.” And therefore, Simon, would not have a share in his ministry declared St. Peter. These types of people might not have mighty anointings.

27. Spirit of Temptations (Mt 4: 1-12) Jesus was tempted by the devil. CCC 2847 says that temptations are not sinful until someone gives consent. Consenting to the temptations and indulging in it is culpable.

29. Spirit of Spell and Witchcraft (Gal 3:1) “You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly exhibited as crucified!” Bad effects of black magic are explained in CCC 2115-2117.

30. Spirit of Curse (Gal 3:13) Cursed is the one who is hanged on the cross. Faith in Christ Jesus is a remedy for all curses (Gal 3:14). “And to the man he said, ‘Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten of the tree about which I commanded you, 'You shall not eat of it,' cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field’” (Gen 3: 17-18). A curse results due to a violation of the commandments but all curses will be cancelled when we take a decision to be the doers of the Word of God (This is called faith in Jesus or belief in Jesus Christ).

31. Spirit of Possession and Afflictions (Mt 15:21-27) “Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, "Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon."” (Mt 15:22). Jesus freed that daughter from the demon, at a distant destination.

32. Spirit of blocks and bondages (1Thes 2:17-18). “As for us, brothers and sisters, when, for a short time, we were made orphans by being separated from you in person, not in heart we longed with great eagerness to see you face to face. For we wanted to come to you certainly I, Paul, wanted to again and again but Satan blocked our way”. Those who have these types of spirits will have some difficulty to study or get settled in marriage or get a job or reach a place or a programme on time and others. They feel that something is always preventing them from achieving something good in their lives. They are in need of deliverance prayer.

33. Deaf and Mute Spirits (Mk 7:34-35) “Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened." And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly.”

34. Spirit of Asmodeus (Tob 3:8) “For she had been married to seven husbands, and the wicked demon Asmodeus had killed each of them before they had been with her as is customary for wives.” Demonic afflictions damage the institution of marriage or even separate the couples like in the case of Sara. Therefore, couples are in need of deliverance prayers when they are going through a period of broken relationship and then their marriage will be saved.

35. Spirit of Antichrist (1Jn 2: 18 and 22) “Children, it is the last hour! As you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. From this we know that it is the last hour. Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son.”

36. Marine Spirit (Is 27:1) “On that day the LORD with his cruel and great and strong sword will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan the twisting serpent, and he will kill the dragon that is in the sea”. “Speak, and say, thus says the Lord GOD: I am against you, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon sprawling in the midst of its channels, saying, ‘My Nile is my own; I made it for myself’" (Ezk 29:3). “The river gates are opened, the palace trembles” (Nah 2:6).

Part III

Some Practical issues and Precautions or Warning against Superstitions, Esotericism and others

Divination and Magic

CCC 2115 “God can reveal the future to his prophets or to other saints. Still, a sound Christian attitude consists in putting oneself confidently into the hands of Providence for whatever concerns the future, and giving up all unhealthy curiosity about it. Improvidence, however, can constitute a lack of responsibility.”

CCC 2116 “All forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to "unveil" the future. Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honour, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone.”

CCC 2117 “All practices of magic or sorcery, by which one attempts to tame occult powers, so as to place them at one's service and have a supernatural power over others - even if this were for the sake of restoring their health - are gravely contrary to the virtue of religion. These practices are even more to be condemned when accompanied by the intention of harming someone, or when they have recourse to the intervention of demons. Wearing charms is also reprehensible. Spiritism often implies divination or magical practices; the Church for her part warns the faithful against it. Recourse to so-called traditional cures does not justify either the invocation of evil powers or the exploitation of another's credulity”.

Esotericism

Is esotericism as found, for example in New Age beliefs, compatible with the Christian faith?

(The Greek term esoterikos implies the inner circle, something into which one must be initiated in order to understand it): since the nineteenth century a common collective term for spiritual teachings and practices in which man is led to a supposedly “true knowledge,” which nonetheless is already in him. On the other hand, a revelation in which God manifests himself to man from outside is something foreign to esoteric thinking.

Youcat 356 “ESOTERICISM ignores the reality of God. God is a personal Being; he is love and the origin of life, and not some cold cosmic energy. Man was willed and created by God, but man himself is not divine; rather, he is a creature wounded by sin, threatened by death, and in need of redemption. Whereas most proponents of esotericism assume that man can redeem himself, Christians believe that only Jesus Christ and God’s grace can redeem them. Nor are nature and the cosmos God (PANTHEISM). Rather, the Creator, even though he loves us immensely, is infinitely greater and unlike anything he has created.”

“Many people today practice yoga for health reasons, enrol in a MEDITATION course so as to become calmer and more collected, or attend dance workshops so as to experience their bodies in a new way. These techniques are not always harmless. Often, they are vehicles for doctrines that are foreign to Christianity. No reasonable person should hold an irrational world view, in which people can tap magical powers or harness mysterious spirits and the “initiated” have a secret knowledge that is withheld from the “ignorant.” In ancient Israel, the surrounding peoples’ beliefs in gods and spirits were exposed as false. God alone is Lord; there is no god besides him. Nor is there any (magical) technique by which one can capture or charm “the divine” force, one’s wishes on the universe, or redeem oneself. Much of these esoteric beliefs and practices is SUPERSTITION or OCCULTISM.”

Superstition

It is the irrational assumption that certain sayings, actions, events, and objects contain magic powers or produce magical effects. All superstitions are condemned and should not be practiced.

“Praised be the Lord, who has redeemed me from myself!” ST. TERESA OF AVILA (1515-1582).

“No one denies God unless he has some reason for wanting him not to exist” ST. AUGUSTINE (354-430)

CCC 2115-2117 As per these articles the following practices are not allowed in the Catholic Church. I would request all believers to avoid them. If anyone goes for it there is a chance of having demonic affliction and possessions sooner or later, even eternal life may be in danger.

1. NLP or Neuro Linguistic Programming - It is banned by the Church because after the 4th degree of NLP it will end up in spiritism.

2. Vipassana Mediation - There is no concept of God in Vipassana meditation. It is an offshoot of the Buddhist traditional way of meditation. Ana Pana meditation, an offshoot of Vipassana is equally bad and banned in the Church.

3. Reiki - This healing and meditation method is banned in the Church because this healing is not received from God but is attributed to a cosmic energy or some other alien power called 'Reiki' power.

4. Pranic Healing - This healing and rejuvenation method is not allowed for the believers because this healing and rejuvenation is also not from God but is attributed to some other energy other than God.

5. Freemasonic Worship - Freemasons or Masons are worshippers of the Architect of the Universe or a Supreme Being. Masons do not have any concept of God but there is an initiation ceremony to worship a Supreme Being or an Occult Power. In 1984, Vatican declared that their worship is contrary to Catholic worship and persons enrolled in a Freemasonic Lodge are in grave sin and that they should refrain from partaking the Holy Communion. This declaration was reaffirmed in 2005 by Pope Benedict XVI.

On April 28, 1738 it was banned for the first time by Pope Clement XII with the pain of Excommunication at the hour of death in the Papal bull ‘In eminenti apostolates.’

On October 15, 1890 it was banned again by Pope Leo XIII in ‘Ab Apostolici.’