Tulsa – 24-26 Jan: workshop for priests on the Ministry of Exorcism

This is a note explicitly for priests.

Again, we are given an example of how Bp. Slattery of Tulsa is standing up and doing his work.  Every diocese should have an appointed exorcist.  I believe this is not always the case, however.  Some priests and even bishops brush off the influence of demonic powers and the Church’s perennial ministry in their regard… founded on the example of the Lord, Apostles and many great saints through history.

So, for priests:

The Te Deum Institute of Sacred Liturgy of the Diocese of Tulsa will host a workshop for priests on the Ministry of Exorcism. This workshop will take place on January 24, 25, and 26, 2011 at the Catholic Charities Campus, 2450 North Harvard, Tulsa. Presenters will include Fr. Clement Machado, S.O.L.T., Mr. Adam Blai and Mr. Don Rimer, all experts in the Church’s practice of exorcism or in the study of the occult.

The Catholic Church has sanctioned exorcisms since the first century, and provides priests with special prayers and rituals, many of which date back to the sixth and seventh century. In recent times, though, the practice of solemn exorcisms has been extremely rare; in fact few priests today have ever seen or participated in one. This conference will be part of an on-going effort of the Church in the United States to train and prepare priests for this spiritual combat.

“While full demonic possession is rare,” insisted Bishop Edward Slattery, Bishop of Tulsa, “instances of demonic influence and oppression has been increasing in current years.” Priests who attend this workshop will learn to recognize what opens the doors to demonic activity, how to discern true possession and will become familiar with the Church’s Rite of Exorcism, Bishop Slattery explained.

This workshop is open to any priest or diocesan official interested in learning more about this ministry. Attendance at this conference, however, is only with the permission of the attendee’s Bishop. Cost for this conference is $175.00. For more information or to register, please contact the Te Deum Institute at info@tedeuminstitute.org

Local Media Outlets
Mr. Joey Spencer, Program Director
Te Deum Institute of Sacred Liturgy of the Diocese of Tulsa; 1-918-307-4956
December 7, 2010

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8 Comments

  1. FrCharles says:

    When anyone puts down or mocks the ministry of exorcism, I enjoy pointing out that it formed a large part of Our Lord’s own ministry among us.

  2. David Homoney says:

    I have to say that I am blessed to be in the bishop’s Diocese. Bishop Slattery is awesome. If we had some AmChurch/Liberal it would kill the faith in this mostly Protestant Diocese. Catholics are but 3% of the population in the Diocese of Tulsa, though we are blessed with a great bishop, good priests, and a thriving and growing FSSP parish. Oh, and of course we have the Benedictine Monks of Clear Creek Abbey. Catholicism rising here in Tulsa, and Bishop Slattery is a big part of that.

  3. DavidJ says:

    Unfortunately, we need bishops to appoint priests to exercise these faculties. Informing is a good step, but bishops also need to wake up and realize the need for them as well.

  4. digdigby says:

    G. K. Chesterton remembers one personal encounter with true diabolical possession:
    http://www.readbookonline.net/readOnLine/20692/

    I’ve known two such persons and get a ‘hair-standing on end’ feeling just remembering them.

  5. Mary Ann says:

    I’m just finishing reading Matt Baglio’s “The Rite, The Making of a Modern Exorcist” (copyright 2009, Doubleday). It regards an American priest’s studies and training in Italy as an exorcist, at the direction of his Bishop. I recommend it—but perhaps someone who has read this and is more articulate than I am could comment on this book? It is directed primarily to a lay readership. It seems to be a knowledgeable and respectful coverage of the efforts and struggles to redevelop this crucial and mostly neglected ministry.
    Reading this book has encouraged me to add daily prayers for Bishops, diocesan exorcists and those considering or newly appointed to this difficult ministry.

  6. M.D.R. says:

    I, too, recently finished reading Matt Baglio’s book “The Rite, the making of a modern exorcist.” I wanted to read the book before the film version is released next month. The book reiterates much of what Fr. Gabriel Amorth wrote in his books on exorcism; namely, that there’s a real need for more exorcists, and facilities for them to be trained in.

    Regarding Bp. Slattery of Tulsa, I think he’s such an excellent bishop. Though I live on the West Coast, I had to visist an ill family member in McAlester, Oklahoma a few months ago. Never having been to Oklahoma, I dicided to attend a weekday OF mass at the only Catholic Church in that small town, called St. john the Baptist, I think. I was pleasantly surprised that there were no EM’s, and communion was given only under one kind (host). I think that most took communion on the tongue, too. I beiefly spoke with the priest after mass, and he said that the Catholics in Oklahoma are few. But what a beautiful church in McAlester. They may be few, but they are devout.

  7. It is sad that if a priest or seminarian even expresses that he feels called to this ministry, the response from his own brother priests or seminarians will most often be mockery.

  8. Torkay says:

    I hope this workshop is not teaching the 1999 “Revised Rite of Exorcism.” Here is Fr. Thomas Euteneuer of HLI’s analysis of it (this is a Word download):

    http://www.latin-mass.org.uk/1999-Revision-of-the-Rite-of-Exorcism.doc

    (I should add, formerly of HLI.)

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