Sectarian exorcism and baptism

[Olympiada]

Good morning all

I have been carrying on a discussion about Exorcism on another group and have been totally unsatisfied. This is something that has been on my mind for some time. I was exorcised and baptized in a sect. I was chrismated into the canonical church. I was told that once a person was exorcised that the demons could no longer act on the person from the inside, but attack from the outside. Well, I went to check my other discussion this morning and it was full of bile, rebuking me for my wrong understanding. I don't think I have the wrong understanding, and if I do, it was given to me. At any rate, I know where to come for the scholarly answers: here.

So my two questions are: what are the effects of a sectarian exorcism and baptism and is true that once a person is exorcised the demons can no longer act upon them from the inside.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. This group is great.

With love in Christ
Olympiada

[Father David Moser]

>So my two questions are: what are the effects of a sectarian exorcism and baptism and is true that once a person is exorcised the demons can no longer act upon them from the inside. <

I'm not sure what effect, if any a "sectarian exorcism" might have - however, if that exorcism is done as a part of a baptism that is according to the rubrics of the Church and the Church later embraces that action and fills it with grace, one can only believe that the exorcism is effective.

Question 2 - that is an incorrect understanding of the effects of exorcism. One need only look at the Gospel parable of the man who was exorcised and the demon, being driven out went and wandered in the dry places of the earth and finding no place to go, returned to his former host and finding the sould clean and swept but unguarded then returned and brought with him seven demons even more evil. Exorcism drives away the demon, but if we do not follow up with care for the soul and guarding the heart, fortified with the Holy Sacraments, the demon may indeed return and bring his "friends" with him.

Fr David Moser

[Olympiada]

Fr David wrote


I'm not sure what effect, if any a "sectarian exorcism" might have - however, if that exorcism is done as a part of a baptism that is according to the rubrics of the Church and the Church later embraces that action and fills it with grace, one can only believe that the exorcism is effective.

What are the rubrics of the Church on Baptism?

Olympiada

[Baroness]

I can't believe I'm reading these posts! Only this morning I was reading through the Gospel of Luke and came across the story of Legion, and his many demons. I sat there wondering - how do the demons affect people - are you possessed from the inside, or from the outside? And how come we can't be possessed by angels (I know that sounds dumb) ... but why is it demons possess people? Could the angels possess us, but they chose not to??? Sorry for such dumb questions ... but an interesting post Olympiada. Thanks.

[Father David Moser]

Olympiada,

The baptismal service is easily available to read through for yourself in any number of English language sources. I usually use the Hapgood service book, however, there are plenty of others - the Antiochian's red hardcover service book is another good example. I imagine the service is on line in more than one place, all you would need to do is to do a search and I am sure you would find it.

Fr David Moser

[Gail Sheppard]

Seems to me that angels would have no interest in possessing anyone since the purpose of angels is to be God's servants and especially man's helpers. Possession is an assault against man and therefore at cross purposes with what God intended for His angels.