The Exorcist?

[I'm Floored]

Vatican denies that Pope Francis performed exorcism

The Vatican is adamantly denying that Pope Francis performed an exorcism on a man in St. Peter's Square, saying Wednesday that the claim is "absolutely false."

Suspicions arose that the pope had performed an exorcism after video surfaced of Francis laying his hands on a man's head and reciting a prayer, upon which the man heaved deeply a half-dozen times, shook, then slumped in his wheelchair.

I'm curious as to the purpose of the denial. Is it "unseemly" to do so? If an exorcism is needed, should the Pope not be the one to do it?

And there's this:

But Rivas maintains no exorcism was performed, saying Francis merely said a prayer to free the man from the devil.

Isn't that what an exorcism is?

:dunno

 

[LisaC]

Vatican denies that Pope Francis performed exorcism

The Vatican is adamantly denying that Pope Francis performed an exorcism on a man in St. Peter's Square, saying Wednesday that the claim is "absolutely false."

Suspicions arose that the pope had performed an exorcism after video surfaced of Francis laying his hands on a man's head and reciting a prayer, upon which the man heaved deeply a half-dozen times, shook, then slumped in his wheelchair.

I'm curious as to the purpose of the denial. Is it "unseemly" to do so? If an exorcism is needed, should the Pope not be the one to do it?

And there's this:

But Rivas maintains no exorcism was performed, saying Francis merely said a prayer to free the man from the devil.

Isn't that what an exorcism is?

:dunno

That's a Diva question. But, I will say that I have been very impressed with Pope Francis's ability to maintain humility since becoming Pope and I tend to think that if he did believe that he was performing an exorcism, he would admit to doing so. (Just my two cents)..

 

[deewee]

After reading the article, I'd say he exorcized the man. It may not have been part of a ritual, but I don't believe ritual is needed to cast out demons. All one needs to do that is the authority of Christ.

 

[LisaC]

After reading the article, I'd say he exorcized the man. It may not have been part of a ritual, but I don't believe ritual is needed to cast out demons. All one needs to do that is the authority of Christ.

We can't say that because we don't know what the Pope said in his prayer.

Rev. Rivas is quoted in the article as specifically saying, "Since no one heard what he said, including me who was right there, you can say he did a prayer for liberation but nothing more."

 

[deewee]

After reading the article, I'd say he exorcized the man. It may not have been part of a ritual, but I don't believe ritual is needed to cast out demons. All one needs to do that is the authority of Christ.

We can't say that because we don't know what the Pope said in his prayer.

Rev. Rivas is quoted in the article as specifically saying, "Since no one heard what he said, including me who was right there, you can say he did a prayer for liberation but nothing more."

If he was indeed praying then he was indeed using the authority of Christ. Why pray if you aren't seeking Christ's authority in whatever you are praying for? It would be useless.

 

[LisaC]

After reading the article, I'd say he exorcized the man. It may not have been part of a ritual, but I don't believe ritual is needed to cast out demons. All one needs to do that is the authority of Christ.

We can't say that because we don't know what the Pope said in his prayer.

Rev. Rivas is quoted in the article as specifically saying, "Since no one heard what he said, including me who was right there, you can say he did a prayer for liberation but nothing more."

If he was indeed praying then he was indeed using the authority of Christ. Why pray if you aren't seeking Christ's authority in whatever you are praying for? It would be useless.

To me (someone who knows nothing about an exorcism), the prayer would have to be to cast the demons out in the name of Jesus. Without knowing if that is what was prayed, I don't think we can say that he did perform one.

 

[deewee]

After reading the article, I'd say he exorcized the man. It may not have been part of a ritual, but I don't believe ritual is needed to cast out demons. All one needs to do that is the authority of Christ.

We can't say that because we don't know what the Pope said in his prayer.

Rev. Rivas is quoted in the article as specifically saying, "Since no one heard what he said, including me who was right there, you can say he did a prayer for liberation but nothing more."

If he was indeed praying then he was indeed using the authority of Christ. Why pray if you aren't seeking Christ's authority in whatever you are praying for? It would be useless.

To me (someone who knows nothing about an exorcism), the prayer would have to be to cast the demons out in the name of Jesus. Without knowing if that is what was prayed, I don't think we can say that he did perform one.

If he was laying hands on the man & praying for him in Christ's name (and again I say that if one is praying, then it is merely lip service to be doing so without seeking the authority of Christ in the prayer), and Christ knows what the man's issues were, then I'd say the chances of an exorcism taking place are pretty high.

 

[LisaC]

After reading the article, I'd say he exorcized the man. It may not have been part of a ritual, but I don't believe ritual is needed to cast out demons. All one needs to do that is the authority of Christ.

We can't say that because we don't know what the Pope said in his prayer.

Rev. Rivas is quoted in the article as specifically saying, "Since no one heard what he said, including me who was right there, you can say he did a prayer for liberation but nothing more."

If he was indeed praying then he was indeed using the authority of Christ. Why pray if you aren't seeking Christ's authority in whatever you are praying for? It would be useless.

To me (someone who knows nothing about an exorcism), the prayer would have to be to cast the demons out in the name of Jesus. Without knowing if that is what was prayed, I don't think we can say that he did perform one.

If he was laying hands on the man & praying for him in Christ's name (and again I say that if one is praying, then it is merely lip service to be doing so without seeking the authority of Christ in the prayer), and Christ knows what the man's issues were, then I'd say the chances of an exorcism taking place are pretty high.

Wait, let me understand where you are coming from here: So if he laid hands on him and merely said "Jesus, in your name, I ask that you give this man peace," you would deem that an exorcism? If you or I did that for someone, would that also be an exorcism or is it just an exorcism because the Pope does it?

 

[deewee]

After reading the article, I'd say he exorcized the man. It may not have been part of a ritual, but I don't believe ritual is needed to cast out demons. All one needs to do that is the authority of Christ.

We can't say that because we don't know what the Pope said in his prayer.

Rev. Rivas is quoted in the article as specifically saying, "Since no one heard what he said, including me who was right there, you can say he did a prayer for liberation but nothing more."

If he was indeed praying then he was indeed using the authority of Christ. Why pray if you aren't seeking Christ's authority in whatever you are praying for? It would be useless.

To me (someone who knows nothing about an exorcism), the prayer would have to be to cast the demons out in the name of Jesus. Without knowing if that is what was prayed, I don't think we can say that he did perform one.

If he was laying hands on the man & praying for him in Christ's name (and again I say that if one is praying, then it is merely lip service to be doing so without seeking the authority of Christ in the prayer), and Christ knows what the man's issues were, then I'd say the chances of an exorcism taking place are pretty high.

Wait, let me understand where you are coming from here: So if he laid hands on him and merely said "Jesus, in your name, I ask that you give this man peace," you would deem that an exorcism? If you or I did that for someone, would that also be an exorcism or is it just an exorcism because the Pope does it?

Playing devil's advocate today, huh? (NO pun intended, just don't know how to say that in another way) I didn't say that at all.

"Rivas maintains no exorcism was performed, saying Francis merely said a prayer to free the man from the devil."

I don't understand how Rivas could insist that an exorcism didn't take place. He said, himself, that Pope Francis said a prayer to free the man from the devil. The physical signs afterwards point to something significant happening. One does not need to go thru some kind of ritual to perform an exorcism, if one has relationship with God thru Christ then all you need is that authority.

 

[LisaC]

After reading the article, I'd say he exorcized the man. It may not have been part of a ritual, but I don't believe ritual is needed to cast out demons. All one needs to do that is the authority of Christ.

We can't say that because we don't know what the Pope said in his prayer.

Rev. Rivas is quoted in the article as specifically saying, "Since no one heard what he said, including me who was right there, you can say he did a prayer for liberation but nothing more."

If he was indeed praying then he was indeed using the authority of Christ. Why pray if you aren't seeking Christ's authority in whatever you are praying for? It would be useless.

To me (someone who knows nothing about an exorcism), the prayer would have to be to cast the demons out in the name of Jesus. Without knowing if that is what was prayed, I don't think we can say that he did perform one.

If he was laying hands on the man & praying for him in Christ's name (and again I say that if one is praying, then it is merely lip service to be doing so without seeking the authority of Christ in the prayer), and Christ knows what the man's issues were, then I'd say the chances of an exorcism taking place are pretty high.

Wait, let me understand where you are coming from here: So if he laid hands on him and merely said "Jesus, in your name, I ask that you give this man peace," you would deem that an exorcism? If you or I did that for someone, would that also be an exorcism or is it just an exorcism because the Pope does it?

Playing devil's advocate today, huh? I didn't say that at all.

"Rivas maintains no exorcism was performed, saying Francis merely said a prayer to free the man from the devil."

I don't understand how Rivas could insist that an exorcism didn't take place. He said, himself, that Pope Francis said a prayer to free the man from the devil. The physical signs afterwards point to something significant happening. One does not need to go thru some kind of ritual to perform an exorcism, if one has relationship with God thru Christ then all you need is that authority.

lol I guess this would be an appropriate topic to play that in, but no... :laugh

I'm stuck on the fact that even though Rivas said that, he also said that he didn't hear what the Pope said. I was just throwing my questions in to try to understand your last comment, that's all.

Now we need Diva, as our resident Catholic, to tell us if the Catholic Church has an issue or problem with the Pope performing an exorcism.... :dunno

 

[deewee]

After reading the article, I'd say he exorcized the man. It may not have been part of a ritual, but I don't believe ritual is needed to cast out demons. All one needs to do that is the authority of Christ.

We can't say that because we don't know what the Pope said in his prayer.

Rev. Rivas is quoted in the article as specifically saying, "Since no one heard what he said, including me who was right there, you can say he did a prayer for liberation but nothing more."

If he was indeed praying then he was indeed using the authority of Christ. Why pray if you aren't seeking Christ's authority in whatever you are praying for? It would be useless.

To me (someone who knows nothing about an exorcism), the prayer would have to be to cast the demons out in the name of Jesus. Without knowing if that is what was prayed, I don't think we can say that he did perform one.

If he was laying hands on the man & praying for him in Christ's name (and again I say that if one is praying, then it is merely lip service to be doing so without seeking the authority of Christ in the prayer), and Christ knows what the man's issues were, then I'd say the chances of an exorcism taking place are pretty high.

Wait, let me understand where you are coming from here: So if he laid hands on him and merely said "Jesus, in your name, I ask that you give this man peace," you would deem that an exorcism? If you or I did that for someone, would that also be an exorcism or is it just an exorcism because the Pope does it?

Playing devil's advocate today, huh? I didn't say that at all.

"Rivas maintains no exorcism was performed, saying Francis merely said a prayer to free the man from the devil."

I don't understand how Rivas could insist that an exorcism didn't take place. He said, himself, that Pope Francis said a prayer to free the man from the devil. The physical signs afterwards point to something significant happening. One does not need to go thru some kind of ritual to perform an exorcism, if one has relationship with God thru Christ then all you need is that authority.

lol I guess this would be an appropriate topic to play that in, but no... :laugh

I'm stuck on the fact that even though Rivas said that, he also said that he didn't hear what the Pope said. I was just throwing my questions in to try to understand your last comment, that's all.

Now we need Diva, as our resident Catholic, to tell us if the Catholic Church has an issue or problem with the Pope performing an exorcism.... :dunno

That's what I'm interested in finding out too. Where is Diva today?

 

[LisaC]

After reading the article, I'd say he exorcized the man. It may not have been part of a ritual, but I don't believe ritual is needed to cast out demons. All one needs to do that is the authority of Christ.

We can't say that because we don't know what the Pope said in his prayer.

Rev. Rivas is quoted in the article as specifically saying, "Since no one heard what he said, including me who was right there, you can say he did a prayer for liberation but nothing more."

If he was indeed praying then he was indeed using the authority of Christ. Why pray if you aren't seeking Christ's authority in whatever you are praying for? It would be useless.

To me (someone who knows nothing about an exorcism), the prayer would have to be to cast the demons out in the name of Jesus. Without knowing if that is what was prayed, I don't think we can say that he did perform one.

If he was laying hands on the man & praying for him in Christ's name (and again I say that if one is praying, then it is merely lip service to be doing so without seeking the authority of Christ in the prayer), and Christ knows what the man's issues were, then I'd say the chances of an exorcism taking place are pretty high.

Wait, let me understand where you are coming from here: So if he laid hands on him and merely said "Jesus, in your name, I ask that you give this man peace," you would deem that an exorcism? If you or I did that for someone, would that also be an exorcism or is it just an exorcism because the Pope does it?

Playing devil's advocate today, huh? I didn't say that at all.

"Rivas maintains no exorcism was performed, saying Francis merely said a prayer to free the man from the devil."

I don't understand how Rivas could insist that an exorcism didn't take place. He said, himself, that Pope Francis said a prayer to free the man from the devil. The physical signs afterwards point to something significant happening. One does not need to go thru some kind of ritual to perform an exorcism, if one has relationship with God thru Christ then all you need is that authority.

lol I guess this would be an appropriate topic to play that in, but no... :laugh

I'm stuck on the fact that even though Rivas said that, he also said that he didn't hear what the Pope said. I was just throwing my questions in to try to understand your last comment, that's all.

Now we need Diva, as our resident Catholic, to tell us if the Catholic Church has an issue or problem with the Pope performing an exorcism.... :dunno

That's what I'm interested in finding out too. Where is Diva today?

My only guess: :drunkdiva :drunkdiva :drunkdiva :drunkdiva :drunkdiva

 

[Hankster]

After reading the article, I'd say he exorcized the man. It may not have been part of a ritual, but I don't believe ritual is needed to cast out demons. All one needs to do that is the authority of Christ.

We can't say that because we don't know what the Pope said in his prayer.

Rev. Rivas is quoted in the article as specifically saying, "Since no one heard what he said, including me who was right there, you can say he did a prayer for liberation but nothing more."

If he was indeed praying then he was indeed using the authority of Christ. Why pray if you aren't seeking Christ's authority in whatever you are praying for? It would be useless.

To me (someone who knows nothing about an exorcism), the prayer would have to be to cast the demons out in the name of Jesus. Without knowing if that is what was prayed, I don't think we can say that he did perform one.

If he was laying hands on the man & praying for him in Christ's name (and again I say that if one is praying, then it is merely lip service to be doing so without seeking the authority of Christ in the prayer), and Christ knows what the man's issues were, then I'd say the chances of an exorcism taking place are pretty high.

Wait, let me understand where you are coming from here: So if he laid hands on him and merely said "Jesus, in your name, I ask that you give this man peace," you would deem that an exorcism? If you or I did that for someone, would that also be an exorcism or is it just an exorcism because the Pope does it?

Playing devil's advocate today, huh? I didn't say that at all.

"Rivas maintains no exorcism was performed, saying Francis merely said a prayer to free the man from the devil."

I don't understand how Rivas could insist that an exorcism didn't take place. He said, himself, that Pope Francis said a prayer to free the man from the devil. The physical signs afterwards point to something significant happening. One does not need to go thru some kind of ritual to perform an exorcism, if one has relationship with God thru Christ then all you need is that authority.

lol I guess this would be an appropriate topic to play that in, but no... :laugh

I'm stuck on the fact that even though Rivas said that, he also said that he didn't hear what the Pope said. I was just throwing my questions in to try to understand your last comment, that's all.

Now we need Diva, as our resident Catholic, to tell us if the Catholic Church has an issue or problem with the Pope performing an exorcism.... :dunno

That's what I'm interested in finding out too. Where is Diva today?

She's in my crawlspace participating in my hugathon. I'll tell her to answer you when the hugathon is over.

 

[Madea]

I think it's a matter of semantics. (I think) the Catholic Church has specific rules regarding an exorcism. So, I think the statements are coming out to protect the Pope and distinguish what he did. While the Baptist are (most likely) cheering his actions, the Catholic are being a bit more reserved. JMHO

 

[Hankster]

I'm somewhat of an expert on this and I will try and help you all out. Now, I for one got almost half way through the movie "The Exorcist" before crawling into a ball and crying myself to sleep while staying in a Holiday Inn Express so I know what the hell I'm talking about. In order for this to be a true exorcism there must be lots if screaming, holy water flung all over the place, vulgarity and a little projectile vomiting doesn't hurt either. What the Pope did was what us experts call "Praying". There, discussion over.

 

[ShoeDiva]

I'm somewhat of an expert on this and I will try and help you all out. Now, I for one got almost half way through the movie "The Exorcist" before crawling into a ball and crying myself to sleep while staying in a Holiday Inn Express so I know what the hell I'm talking about. In order for this to be a true exorcism there must be lots if screaming, holy water flung all over the place, vulgarity and a little projectile vomiting doesn't hurt either. What the Pope did was what us experts call "Praying". There, discussion over.

Best answer yet! :laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh


I would not consider it an exorcism by what I have been taught. It is a long ritual where a Priest reads specific prayers, scripture, uses Holy Water and crucifixes. I am assuming some would consider that another Priest had done an exorcism on the man on Tuesday when the Pope prayed for him on Wednesday that was a "continuation" of the exorcism. I have no issue either way, and as Madea mentioned most Catholics are pretty reserved when it comes to this practice, so I am unsure without calling on my Priest if they would have an issue with the Pope performing one.

 

[J-man]

"GET OUT!!!"

 

[deewee]

I'm somewhat of an expert on this and I will try and help you all out. Now, I for one got almost half way through the movie "The Exorcist" before crawling into a ball and crying myself to sleep while staying in a Holiday Inn Express so I know what the hell I'm talking about. In order for this to be a true exorcism there must be lots if screaming, holy water flung all over the place, vulgarity and a little projectile vomiting doesn't hurt either. What the Pope did was what us experts call "Praying". There, discussion over.

Best answer yet! :laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh


I would not consider it an exorcism by what I have been taught. It is a long ritual where a Priest reads specific prayers, scripture, uses Holy Water and crucifixes. I am assuming some would consider that another Priest had done an exorcism on the man on Tuesday when the Pope prayed for him on Wednesday that was a "continuation" of the exorcism. I have no issue either way, and as Madea mentioned most Catholics are pretty reserved when it comes to this practice, so I am unsure without calling on my Priest if they would have an issue with the Pope performing one.

Hey I have a Q. I don't know a lot about Catholocism, but why do Catholics have so many rituals for different reasons? Or does it just seem that way to me?

 

[Hankster]

I'm somewhat of an expert on this and I will try and help you all out. Now, I for one got almost half way through the movie "The Exorcist" before crawling into a ball and crying myself to sleep while staying in a Holiday Inn Express so I know what the hell I'm talking about. In order for this to be a true exorcism there must be lots if screaming, holy water flung all over the place, vulgarity and a little projectile vomiting doesn't hurt either. What the Pope did was what us experts call "Praying". There, discussion over.

Best answer yet! :laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh


I would not consider it an exorcism by what I have been taught. It is a long ritual where a Priest reads specific prayers, scripture, uses Holy Water and crucifixes. I am assuming some would consider that another Priest had done an exorcism on the man on Tuesday when the Pope prayed for him on Wednesday that was a "continuation" of the exorcism. I have no issue either way, and as Madea mentioned most Catholics are pretty reserved when it comes to this practice, so I am unsure without calling on my Priest if they would have an issue with the Pope performing one.

Hey I have a Q. I don't know a lot about Catholocism, but why do Catholics have so many rituals for different reasons? Or does it just seem that way to me?

I believe it has something to do with the paradoxical theological ideals that were used by traditional Catholics before the demise of the transparacon psuedonism act of 1693.

 

[ShoeDiva]

I'm somewhat of an expert on this and I will try and help you all out. Now, I for one got almost half way through the movie "The Exorcist" before crawling into a ball and crying myself to sleep while staying in a Holiday Inn Express so I know what the hell I'm talking about. In order for this to be a true exorcism there must be lots if screaming, holy water flung all over the place, vulgarity and a little projectile vomiting doesn't hurt either. What the Pope did was what us experts call "Praying". There, discussion over.

Best answer yet! :laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh


I would not consider it an exorcism by what I have been taught. It is a long ritual where a Priest reads specific prayers, scripture, uses Holy Water and crucifixes. I am assuming some would consider that another Priest had done an exorcism on the man on Tuesday when the Pope prayed for him on Wednesday that was a "continuation" of the exorcism. I have no issue either way, and as Madea mentioned most Catholics are pretty reserved when it comes to this practice, so I am unsure without calling on my Priest if they would have an issue with the Pope performing one.

Hey I have a Q. I don't know a lot about Catholocism, but why do Catholics have so many rituals for different reasons? Or does it just seem that way to me?

) They do. Rituals are based on faith, tradition, scripture and love of Jesus. Rituals are basically like habits that you do everyday. I always say a few words before I eat, it is a habit or ritual started when I was a child. I always clean out my sink at night, a habit that I started in my 20's and it makes things easier for me. I feel out of sorts if I do not do that. It is the same with church, we have certain rituals we follow and they keep us from feeling out of sorts.