Message from the Order of Parousians
Desk of the Superior General
30 December, Year of the Lord 2007
" Deus Solus est Luminarium, Deus Solus est Verum!"
Demonology: The Truth and Paranormal Fiction
May the Grace, Peace, and Mercy of the Lord our God be multiplied in our hearts and mind!
1. As we are approaching the New Year, we wanted to address a growing concern of this order, and what should be to members of the Christian Body. For the past several years now, there has been a growing fascination with the occult and what is deemed ‘paranormal activity.’ To that end, Hollywood et al has answered this fascination with movies and television series. While most of it is just wildly speculative and just silly, there is a inherit degree of danger being presented to everyone who watches them. Weather this is intentional or accidental is really not of concern to us at this point.
What ever the intention is, there is a great danger.
2. The masses are being desensitized to true demonology and the Truth about Satan. There is this show on A&E, which is a paranormal type show. What caught my attention were the commercials that ran about the ‘demonic encounter.’ I have to say I was very interested in seeing what was going to transpire. As has been my experience over the years, with these type of programs, they are often staged or just plain nonsense. This show however set up a danger. It set up to create the leader as some uber authoritative person on exorcisms. Even to the point of claiming that the person had been contacted by a Roman Catholic Diocese to help them out. With no true way to challenge this, and the leader knowing this, the show is now able to perpetuate that the leader is a pseudo expert, or worse, a person who is actually sanctioned by someone in the Roman Catholic Church. From my conversation with Roman Catholic clergy, I would find this unlikely. From the way in which things were conducted on the house blessing and ‘exorcism’ I would find it even more unlikely. The way in which things were done, were dangerous for everyone in that room.
3. There were two Priests brought in to help. One was of the Old-Catholic or Independent Catholic, of which we are also descended from; the other I am unsure of what affiliation. The first one declined to do the exorcism, and so the second one did it. I am thankful that the group leader did not proceed to do it, or I am sure there would have been a real problem.
4. The vessel that administers the exorcism rite does of course not matter; for it is not the vessel that contains the authority themselves. The authority comes from the Church through Christ contained within the Parakletos that frees people from their bondage. If a person is truly possessed of the diabolical, then who other then the Creator can command or condemn them? It was our Lord and Saviour that, through the Parakletos, enabled the Apostles to cast out unclean spirits. In the Bible we are presented with a narrative about some charlatans: For when some that were not of the Brethren attempted to cast out unclean spirits they themselves were rebuked by the demons. The lesson is clear, ‘those outside the Church Universal have no authority to cast out demons.’ Those inside the Church Universal should be very careful when attempting to do exorcisms, and should leave it to those who are trained to do so. Defer it to those who have access to the thousands of years of information regarding demons and exorcisms. Defer this to those who have the knowledge to keep everyone safe, especially the person(s) inflicted.
5. Indeed it is the truth that Satan and his army of the fallen are real. They present a real threat to everyone. Just like you would never perform open heart surgery on yourself, do not attempt something you are unprepared for, leave it to someone with the experience to properly deal with the situation at hand. Leave it to those who are spiritually mature in their walk with Christ. Leave it to those who are authorized by their Church to conduct exorcisms. Above all do not be eager to set yourself against the Dark Lion of Satan, nor prideful or boastful in your relationship with Christ. Satan and his have lived for a long time, and they know how to do what hey do, better then we will ever fully understand.
6. In closing I would ask that believers and non believers alike, to be charitable but skeptical when dealing with groups on these TV shows. Be careful where you are getting your ‘truth’ from, especially when dealing with the demonic. Ask the hard questions, and examine the answers you are given. Pray with your spiritual director, your pastor, or your Bishop for guidance. Above all do not trust anyone that claims that there is ‘power’ over the demonic outside of the Church Universal.
I pray for all of you for this upcoming year, be safe and stay close to Christ in 2008.
Sean Patrick Small, COAS
Superior General, Order of the Parousians
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