Recently, we have had a number of non-Catholics come to us for help, including Jewish and Muslim folks. We are very glad to help and we never push the idea of becoming Catholic. Rather, we respect the choices of their own consciences.
Nevertheless, I wonder: why do they come to us? They tell me it is commonly known that if you have problems with demons, you call a Catholic priest. Ironically, most priests do not receive any formal training in deliverance. The subject is almost universally ignored in the seminary. And yet, a lot of people know that when you are harassed by demons, you need a priest.
The reason is simple. In Luke 9:1, “Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons….” While all Christians by virtue of their baptism can invoke the holy name of Jesus and pray to God that demons be cast out, Jesus gave his twelve apostles a unique authority to do so. This authority has been passed down in an unbroken line to the bishops and priests of today.
We respect the religious conscience choices of those who come to us. But wouldn’t it make sense for them to look more deeply into the incredible spiritual realities of the Catholic Church? When a priest begins to pray the ancient prayers of the Church over the demons, they scream in agony. They hate us because when we pray, it is Christ himself in his Church who is praying. And the “gates of hell will not prevail against it” (Mt 16:18).
It may be that, through this intense and powerful encounter, God is calling the afflicted person to a personal relationship with Jesus, and perhaps with the Church that he founded.
