Hi everybody-

I've been trying to find the original Vatican, newspaper and/or other sources which reported the exorcism performed by the pope and Fr Amorth most recently. There is lots of nonsense out there about this, as you might imagine, and I'd like to read the real thing, if possible. Anybody have a clue where that might be?

Thanks very much, Jane

-- Jane Ulrich (carlos.eire@yale.edu), October 09, 2000

Answers

ISSUE 1935 Monday 11 September 2000

Dear Jane: This is the text of the news appeared on The Daily Telegraph from London. Issue 1935 sept. 11-2000.I must warn You, this is a bad point of view of the real fact, so be careful. This URL is: www.telegraph.co.uk

Devil defeats the Pope in Vatican exorcism battle By Bruce Johnston in Rome THE Pope carried out an impromptu exorcism on a teenage girl after she began "screaming insults in a cavernous voice" during an audience in the Vatican City, it emerged at the weekend. Despite the Pope's efforts and those of his chief "Satan-buster", Fr Gabriele Amorth, the girl remained "possessed". The Devil's voice "sneeringly laughed from within her" at the Pope's failed attempt to drive him away.

"The Devil went to the Vatican," the Il Messaggero newspaper in Rome reported after being told of the incident by Fr Amorth. He said the exorcism had been the Pope's third in his 22-year papacy.

The paper said that although there may have been other instances of people being possessed in the Vatican, last week's incident had been "spectacular" and Satan had "shown his muscles". The incident occurred during last Wednesday's general audience in a packed St Peter's Square. Suddenly the unnamed 19-year-old girl from Monza began shouting "in a cavernous voice and as if in a fit of rage".

Constrained by Vatican guards, she was said to have displayed "a super-human strength" as she violently pushed them away. Bishop Gianni Danzi, Secretary-General of Vatican City, intervened and sought to calm her by showed her a crucifix. But she began "insulting him, uttering disconnected phrases, and speaking in unknown tongues".

Bishop Danzi hurriedly informed the Pope's private secretary, Mgr Stanislao Dziwisz, who in turn told the pontiff. After driving around the piazza in his Popemobile, the Pope talked to the girl, exorcised her, and stayed with her for half an hour. He prayed for her and assured her that he would say a Mass for her the next day "to obtain her liberation".

But it appeared afterwards that the Pope's intervention had only a temporary effect on the girl. She was said to have been "possessed since she was 12", as a result of someone putting a curse on her out of hatred for her parents. She had been taken by her mother and father to the audience in the hope that a papal blessing would be of some benefit.

Fr Amorth claimed that the Vatican had attempted to cover up the affair. He said: "I exorcised the very same girl on [the day before the indident] together with another exorcist, Fr Giancarlo Gramolazzo.

"She is a splendid girl in terms of purity and goodness. Her case of possession by the Devil is terrible. It moves one to pity to see her suffer so, all bent over and contracted."

In Cordibus Jesu Et Mariae

-- JAVIER NOVOA (jamanora@laciudad.com), October 10, 2000.

Hi, Jane and Javier.
Before reading the London rag's article, I was ignorant about this event -- except for one thing ...
A few weeks back, there was a news bulletin on EWTN-TV, in which a spokesman for the Vatican was quoted as stating that what the pope had done in a recent case was not an exorcism, but only an attempt to calm someone who may have been possessed.
This makes sense to me, since a Catholic exorcism requires the following of a careful series of ritual actions and prayers, which could not have been done under the circumstances described. Moreover, there must first be a psychological evaluation and other studies before recourse to an exorcism is taken. The article says that the pope promised to celebrate Mass for the young lady's "liberation." If he actually said that, it stands to reason that he had not performed an exorcism, by which she would already have been liberated.
I believe that the EWTN news bulletin mentioned that the pope really had taken part on two exorcisms during his papacy -- in the mid-1980s.
(Sorry that I cannot provide you with the "original sources" that you requested.)
God bless you.


-- J. F. Gecik (jgecik@desc.dla.mil), October 14, 2000.

Thanks Javier and John,

Yes these tabloids often get things wrong, but then again they are also often the only ones to report some things that the more "professional" papers consider too wacky. I think of the movie Men In Black, which is a wonderful paradigm in so many ways of the weird things that really go on in the world, and the complete ignorance of most of us about them. The Men in Black ALWAYS read the tabloids. (Don't get me wrong, I'm not really defending them, well TOO much anyway).

I think that we need to keep in mind that there is a difference between a simple form of exorcism (something like, In Jesus's name go away!) and the more formal exorcism which can only be performed by priests appointed by the Bishop for that task. The formal exorcism can last for a very long time, and is not always instantly successful. It often needs to be repeated.

There is a wonderful book about this called An Exorcist Tells His Story, by Gabriel Amorth, the chief exorcist of Rome. It's very interesting, although written mainly for priests. But given the recent resurgence of popular interest in this topic, it might do us well to be really informed about it. I imagine that it is possible that the Vatican has downplayed the story, if only because it could be so easily sensationalized.

I would still love to get to the original story printed in the Italian papers......

Thanks guys.

Love, Jane

-- Jane Ulrich (Janeulrich80@hotmail.com), October 14, 2000.

Dear Jane: You can go to the URL I mentioned last answer, and find the past issue of this paper(Sep-11-2000), there you can find a link to a paper in Italy where the original news appeared.

In Cordibus Jesu Et Mariae

-- JAVIER NOVOA (jamanora@laciudad.com), October 20, 2000.

Hey Jane,

There is a book by the title of "This Present Darkness" By Frank Peretti. You might find it interesting. Just butting again.

Susan

-- Susan Shepherd-Magistro (heartwjesus@yahoo.com), October 20, 2000.

Hello, Jane.
I have checked everywhere at the Vatican "news services" site, but cannot find anything official about this incident. If something was ever posted, it has dropped off due to age.
I found the unpleasant British newspaper story that Javier quoted above. I followed the link he mentioned, and I found the original Italian story in the online version of the Roman newspaper, "Il Messagero." It was in the September 9, 2000, edition, one day after the incident. Sorry that I don't speak/read Italian, so I can translate only several of the words. Perhaps you have a friend who can help you with this, though I have a feeling that everything in this short story was copied into the British article (to which were added some further details and some anti-papal nonsense):
Escandescenze di una ragazza alludienza generale. Lesorcista: un caso tremendo Indemoniata a colloquio con il Papa
ROMA  Una ragazza di 19 anni, originaria di Monza, ha dato in escandescenze alla fine delludienza generale in piazza San Pietro. La giovane indemoniata h stata portata al cospetto del Papa che ha pregato con lei per mezzora. Pare che dallesorcismo papale la ragazza abbia ottenuto solo un beneficio passeggero. Lesorcista, don Gabriele Amorth, ha affermato: +Il caso di questa giovane h un esempio tremendo di possessione diabolica. E costretta a patire sofferenze atroci. Il diavolo, che h in lei, ha spinto questa povera ragazza a dirmi, sghignazzando: anche il tuo capo, cioh il Papa, non h riuscito a far niente contro di me;. Padre Amorth ha raccontato che la giovane h "posseduta" sin da quando aveva 12 anni.
God bless you.
John
Susan and Jane: I came across a lengthy review of "This Present Darkness" by a reviewer (at http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/bdm/exposes/peretti/dark.htm), who explains that the book is an imaginative 1986 (now re-released) novel that involves a Protestant pastor and his spiritual warfare against a possessing devil.

-- J. F. Gecik (jgecik@desc.dla.mil), October 21, 2000.

John,

You're right. It is a fictional story. But thought provoking. I found it hard to put down. You know John .I really love you . You are quite a guy, to go to the trouble of checking it out for us . Cool .. Did you read the reviewers " statement of faith"? Love,

Susan

-- Susan Shepherd-Magistro (heartwjesus@yahoo.com), October 21, 2000.

Hi, Susan.
Thank you.
I went to the review page directly (having found it via an Internet search). I didn't go to the review through a home page or index.
I read only a small part of the review (because I'm always rushing!) and noticed that it was from a Christian organization. I wasn't really seeking to read anything else at the site.
I hope that the review is at least a little bit helpful.
John

-- J. F. Gecik (jgecik@desc.dla.mil), October 21, 2000.

Dear Jane: It's true that J. P. II performed at least 2 exorcisms during his pontificate, that information is taken from a very serious french publication called "L'actualite religieuse dans le monde", that could be "Religious actualitty in the world"; on 1.984 that publication said that an exorcism was performed by his holyness on 1.982 and the other one on 1.984. This very same information is taken by a french journalist "Francois Dunois canette" in his book: "Les pretres exorcistes", 1.993, Editions Robert Laffont, S.A., Paris. That must be "The exorcist priests"

In Codibus Jesu et Mariae

-- JAVIER NOVOA (jamanora@laciudad.com), October 27, 2000.

i have been in trouble for the last 20 years because i have been bother by the devil in many ways i have search forr help in the mexican catholic churche an nobody have believe me or helpme and i am asking desesperatily the email or the telephone number of don gabriel amorth if you can help me pliese send me back to my mail the information he estado teniendo durante 20 aņos muchos problemas con el demonio y necesito urgentemente comunicarme con gabriel amorth porfavor si conoces su email o su telefono hasmelo llegar a la siguiente direccion karla_villarreal_garza@hotmail.com

-- karla villarreal garza (karla_villarreal_garza@hotmail.com), December 31, 2000.

Senora Villareal,
I don't know these directions. I have read Fr. Amorth's book. In the last part of the author's forward a new comment said there were now more exorcists available to the public than when the first few editions of his book were printed. He said that he himself does not serve much as an exorcist anymore. He teaches priests and bishops all that he learned from long experience, and from his own master, Fr. Candido Amantini, a Passionist priest and exorcist who has now passed away.

But Fr. Amorth says in the same forward that many new bishops are now performing exorcisms. You are better off contacting the bishops in your area for help. I don't think you need to go directly to Rome. It may not be possible for Fr. Amorth to serve you personally. Good luck with your efforts, and have faith. Pray to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and ask her help. Try to wear a religious medal, or the holy Rosary on your person. It will help to drive the Devil away; Fr Amorth stated in his book the Devil is very much afraid of the Mother of God. She will protect you. I will certainly pray for you; and I hope others in this forum will also. May God give you grace and support in your trials!

-- eugene c. chavez (chavezec@pacbell.net), January 01, 2001.

Karla,

Jesus said in Matthew 16:19, "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." If you believe that Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for your sins, and that he rose again on the third day, then you, as a believer, have the authority that our Lord Jesus Christ has given you over all the power of the enemy( Luke 10:19). You need to exercise that authority in the faith that God's Word is true.

Get on your knees, humble yourself before the Lord in prayer. Thank Him for the authority He has given you as a born-again child of God, and for the authority that is in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then, in that authority, bind the power of the strong man in your life.

Karla, I would like to pray for you right now.

Father God, Thank you for the authority You have given me as your born-again child, and for the authority that is in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in that authority, I bind Satan in Karla's life. In the name of Jesus Christ, I command that you, Karla, be made free from the enemy.I thank You Lord for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus Mighty name , I pray.

Karla, When you read this read it out loud. Ask Jesus to be the Lord of your life. Start reading the Holy Word of God, out loud , every day. Satan cannot stand to hear God's Word. In the Love of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Be Free.....

Susan

-- SSM (follower of Christ) (heartwjesus@yahoo.com), January 03, 2001.

thisis what I'd like to tell Karla

All of us are bothered by the devil in one way or other, and the thing we all can do in order to protect ourselves and our souls from the devil is to attend church on sundays, make confessions of ALL our sins , beg for forgiveness, and have a Holy Communion - which is more pawerful than an exorcism, just like Fr. Amorth said in his book. You can do all this right now ! the devil is only as strong as we let him to be. IT's the most important fight of our lives - most of us will lose , only few will be saved - who will that be, it's up to each of us.

-- jack (isjw@poczta.onet.pl), January 08, 2001.

Regarding the latest posting on this subject: the writer of the message advises frequent confession and communion as a means of fighting the devil. This is excellent advice. The best. But the writer also says that most of us will lose our fight against the devil, and that only very few humans will be saved. This misses one very important point, which is the central message of the Christian faith: Christ has already redeemed the world from the power of the Evil One. Most of us will NOT lose the fight because the devil has already been defeated. That is the point of going to confession and communion. Why go if it is nearly useless? Saying that most humans will be damned is a way of turning God into a nearly useless being, even something of a monster, and also a way of making the devil equal in power to God--maybe even more powerful than God. This is not so. The writer also says that salvation is entirely up to us. Not so, not so, not so. Salvation is up to God. The Catholic church teaches that we have free will and can accept or reject grace. That much is true. But the church also teaches that we can avail ourselves of grace through the sacraments, and that by cooperating with grace we can gradually incline our wills to God. Only God knows how many will be saved. "Many are called, few are chosen" does not mean that only a handful will be saved. Christ has overcome evil, and helps us to overcome it, even though sometimes it seems we are losing the battle. The greatest saints have all been tormented by the devil, and they have all triumphed over him by saying "yes, I am a sinner. I am. But Christ has redeemed me. You can't claim me at all, despite my weaknesses and sins. You have no claim. Christ has redeemed me." That makes the devil very angry, and helps to drive him off. But nothing is better than the sacraments. When Saint Antony was tormented by demons in the desert, and he struggled against them, he felt all alone for a long time. Then one day, Christ appeared to him and Antony asked "Where have you been all this time? I could have really used your help!" Christ's answer was "I have been here all along, and will always be here." Grace abounds, grace conquers, grace is all powerful.

-- (Janeulrich80@hotmail.com), January 08, 2001.

Dear Jane, As Jesus said in the parable of the sower who went out to sow his seed, ''The seed is the Word of God. By the wayside are those who have heard, then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved.'' --Again, ''Those upon the rock, hear and receive the word with joy. Having no root, they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away.'' Luke 8, 12-13. We can see that the devil will undo all Christ has accomplished for us, if we are not prepared.

In another verse we all know, ''Fear not the one who has power to take away your life; but fear him who has power to take your soul away, into eternal fire.'' (I'm paraphrasing, but you know the verse.) I suppose these can mean all of us have to fear the devil, as he represents temptation to sin. There is no other way to lose our salvation but to die in sin unrepentant. May we all be preserved from this, and from the devil. Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. You are right; we have nothing to fear with Him in our hearts.

-- eugene c. chavez (chavezec@pacbell.net), January 08, 2001.

1John 5....If you believe that Jesus is the Christ--that He is God's Son and your savior--then you are a child of God. And all who love the Father love His children too. So you can find out how much you love God's children--your brothers and sisters in the Lord---by how much you love and obey God. Loving God means doing what He tells us to do, and really, that isn't hard at all; for every child of God can obey Him, defeating sin and evil pleasure by trusting Christ to help him. But who could possibly fight and win this battle except by believing that Jesus is truly the Son of God? And we know He is, because God said so with a voice from heaven when Jesus was baptized, and again when He was facing death--yes, not only at baptism but also as He faced death. And the Holy Spirit, forever truthful, says it too. So we have these three witnesses: the voice of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, the voice from heaven at Christ's baptism, and the voice before He died. And they all say the same thing: that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. All who believe this know in their hearts that it is true.If anyone doesn't believe this he is actually calling God a liar, because he doesn't believe what God has said about His Son.

And what is it that God has said? That He has given us eternal life, and that this life is in His Son. So, whoever has God's Son has life; whoever does not have His Son, does not have life.

No one who has become part of God's family makes a practice of sinning, for Christ, God's Son, holds him securely and the devil cannot get his hands on him. We know that we are children of God and all the rest of the world around us is under Satan's power and control. And we know that Christ, God's Son, has come to help us understand and find the true God. And now we are in God because we are in Jesus Christ His Son who is the only true God; and He is eternal Life.

At the name of Jesus, every knee will bend, at the name of Jesus, every head will bow, and at the name of Jesus, every voice will proclaim, He is Lord.

1John 1:14 And so I say to you who know the eternal God, and are strong with God's Word in your hearts, and have won your struggle against Satan: Stop loving this evil world and all it offers you, for when you love these things you show that you do not really love God; for all these worldly things, these evil desires-- the craze for sex, the ambition to buy everything that appeals to you, and the pride that comes from wealth and importance-- these are not from God. They are from this evil world itself. And this world is fading away, and these evil, forbidden things will go with it, but whoever keeps doing the will of God will live forever.

-- SSM (follower of Christ) (heartwjesus@yahoo.com), January 12, 2001.

when excorcising the priest recites a prayer for excorcism, I think its called the leonie excorcism prayer did the pope recite the prayer or ina any circumstance command the devil to go away fro the girl (i.e. "in the name of the father the son and the holy spirit I command you devil to leave the body of this girl !!!") if not, then it was not an excorcism.

LEINAD

-- leinad garces (carlos.eire@yale.com), February 01, 2003.