Exorcists Are Seeing Harmful Consequences From Smoking Ceremonies

Aboriginal smoking ceremnies are not harmless cultural practices but actually open participants to demonic oppression

 

From the Daily Declaration

Exorcists Are Seeing Harmful Consequences From Smoking Ceremonies

5 SEPTEMBER 2022

5.9 MINS

Indigenous smoking ceremonies performed for Catholic schoolchildren are creating an alarming spiritual malaise.

Although elements of paganism have been creeping into various parishes and dioceses for some time, the blatant idolatry on display during the 2019 Amazon Synod really opened the floodgates. Since that time, faithful Catholics in the West have been inundated by indigenous emblems, prayers and rituals in what appears to be an attempt to change the Catholic Church’s very identity.

In Australia, that trend is quite evident, and the focus on Aboriginal culture which is being promoted politically and in the corporate world is being mirrored by the Catholic Church. When too much attention is given to another form of spirituality, there is always a risk that the pre-eminence of the Catholic faith will be overlooked. However, that is not the extent of the problems facing an institution that is starting to view pagan ceremonies as interchangeable with its own rituals.

Invoking Spirits

Many, including Family Life International, have expressed concern about the spiritual consequences of participation in indigenous rituals. Given that a non-Christian ritual, by its very nature, invokes spirits other than that of the One, True God — that is, it invokes demons — it seems implausible that there would be no evidence of spiritual bondage or oppression among its participants.

FLI sought counsel from that group of experts who sees the devastation of spiritual warfare on a daily basis: Church-appointed exorcists. What they revealed confirmed our worst suspicions.

Fr John Rizzo, former exorcist of the Diocese of Parramatta, has had years of experience in delivering unfortunate souls from demonic attack. In the two weeks before he spoke to FLI, Fr Rizzo had been contacted by three families whose children are at two different schools. Each family wanted his assistance because a child was exhibiting disturbing symptoms that the parents believe are linked to indigenous smoking ceremonies.

Fr Rizzo told Family Life International that he has seen “unpleasant consequences” from children attending smoking ceremonies.

“Children have become irritable after being involved in such situations. Students at some schools are forced to walk through the smoke against their will. Their well-informed Catholic conscience makes them feel uncomfortable! They know that it’s wrong!”

The priest said that he has been seeing “… a certain moodiness and a type of fear that is hard to understand.” Thankfully, he has found that minor exorcisms, which can be prayed by any priest, are proving effective in liberating the children.

“I particularly use the exorcism prayers from the traditional rite of Baptism,” he said. “I recite them in Latin first, and translate afterwards into English.”

Incurable Ailments

The mother of one of the children, Jane, (not her real name) opened up to FLI about her family’s experience.

“My son was attending a Catholic school, where smoking ceremonies were being performed quite frequently. He had also been exposed to regular smoking ceremonies at the public school that he previously attended. As time went by, my son’s health declined and he began to suffer from anxiety.”

For three years, Jane took her son to visit various medical professionals who were unable to diagnose his problem. All they could offer was medication to help with his symptoms — but there was no cure. Things then escalated to the point where, out of fear, the boy was unable to sleep.

“My son is naturally quiet, and he was at first unable to explain the reason for his inability to sleep. He eventually told us that about a week before, he had been visited in the night by a shadowy figure which screamed at him and pinned him down to the bed. When my son started to pray, the figure went away.”

Although it didn’t return, the boy was terrified that it would come back and asked his mother to pray the Rosary with him in his room before bed. The whole family was losing sleep by this time, as the boy was too afraid to be left alone at night.

When Jane’s son told her about the sleep paralysis, she feared that there was a supernatural cause to her son’s problems and contacted Fr Rizzo. After lengthy questioning, Fr Rizzo determined that the boy was suffering from a minor demonic attack. The priest heard the boy’s confession, administered Holy Communion and prayed prayers of deliverance over the boy. He immediately felt better and that night had what he described as his best ever night’s sleep.

 

Read the full article here

Quote for the Day

Over the last century, however, the center of gravity in the Christian world has shifted inexorably away from Europe, southward, to Africa and Latin America, and eastward, toward Asia. Today, the largest Christian communities on the planet are to be found in those regions. Philip Jenkins

Reflection on Hebrews 4:14-16

Scripture

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

Observation

Jesus is our great High Priest who has entered heaven. So let us hold firmly to the faith.

This High Priest has faced every temptation that we do, but remained without sin. We should boldly approach the throne of God to receive mercy and grace to help us .

Application

Because we know God loves us, we can approach His throne boldly. Boldly does not mean brashly or arrogantly. It means that we pray with confidence.

This confidence is not based on our own achievements, but on God’s grace. I have been forgiven by God. Jesus died for me. I am a child of the mighty, holy gracious God. Therefore, I can approach Him with confidence .

Our prayers don’t have to be theologically correct. We don’t have to pray answers. We come before God confidently and we lay our concerns, burdens, and cares at His feet .

Then we walk away metaphorically, knowing that God will supply what we need. We find mercy at the throne, but also grace from a God who loves us.

Prayer

Father, I thank you for your great love for me. Thank you for the privilege of being called your child. Thank for answering my prayers. Amen

Quote for the Day

In culture, no less than for religious life. Christianity has in very recent times ceased to be a Euro-American religion and is becoming thoroughly global. In 1900, 83 percent of the world’s Christians lived in Europe and North America. In 2050, 72 percent of Christians will live in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, and a sizable share of the remainder will have roots in one or more of those continents. In 1900, the overwhelming majority of Christians were non-Latino whites; in 2050, non-Latino whites will constitute only a small subset of Christians. Philip Jenkins

Reflection on Hebrews 4:8-13

Scripture

For the word of God is alive and powerful. it is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

Observation

The rest of God is not just about a geographical location, living in the Promised Land. There is a special rest still to come. So we must be faithful in obeying God in order to enter this rest.

The word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword. It cuts through us, exposing our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing is hidden from God. We are naked and exposed before Him, and we are accountable to Him.

Application

God’s word is not a dusty boring tome. No, it is the word of life.

God’s word cuts through my excuses and justifications. It overcomes my fear and inadequacy. God’s word reveals what is in my heart and what is in God’s heart.

When this particular verse is quoted, it often feels like God is looking for every sin that lurks, just ready to rip us open for judgement and condemnation.

But God’s word is not like that. It does reveal sin, that is for sure. But it also reveals God’s mercy and His love.

Because God is my Father, I no longer feel afraid to come into His presence. I know that He loves me and He will not let me go. I see this love explained and described in the words of Scripture.

God is holy and He will judge every person. That also is clear in Scripture. But God’s love extends mercy to those who choose to follow Jesus.

Prayer

Holy Father thank you for your unfailing love. Thank you for your word which reveals you to me. Deepen my love for you and for your word. Amen

Reflection on Hebrews 4:1-7

Scripture

For only we who believe can enter his rest.

Observation

God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, but some will fail to enter it. This news that God has prepared His rest for us has been announced to us just as it was to the Old Testament believers.

Only we who believe can enter his rest. As for those who refuse to believe, God has said that they will never into his rest. God’s rest was prepared at the beginning of creation and it is there still for people to enter today.

Application

What is this rest that God has prepared for us ?

Firstly, it is the good news that we do not have to strive for salvation. We don’t have to fret about obeying laws and offering sacrifices for sin. We can rest in the assurance that Christ’s sacrifice on the cross has done away with the requirements of the law. We can relax because we know that God loves us with a never-ending love.

Secondly, the rest of God refers to the promise of Heaven. In the resurrected life of eternity, we will enjoy fellowship with God for ever. In our sin- infected world, life is beset with opposition, frustration, sickness, and death. In heaven, these things will no longer exist.

Rest not necessarily a cessation of labour. It is more related to the sense that our labour is fruitful and will not be undone by hostile forces, whether human, natural, or demonic.

We rest in God when we are at the centre of His will, both in this life and the next.

Prayer

Thank you Lord that even now I enjoy your rest. I don’t have to strive for acceptance because you have broken down the walls of separation in Christ. Amen