EXORCIST: Temptation Most Significant Demonic Activity…
An exorcist since 1994, Dominican Father Francois Dermine serves in the Italian Archdiocese of Ancona-Osimo.
http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/exorcist-temptation-not-possession-is-the-most-significant-demonic-activity
VATICAN CITY — Though dramatic representations of demonic possessions, as seen in Hollywood, can make them appear to be the primary method of the devil, one Dominican priest and exorcist has warned that the greater and more common threat to a person’s salvation is the temptation to sin. “The most common manifestation of the demonic is temptation, which is much more significant than possession,” Dominican Father Francois Dermine told CNA May 10. An exorcist for more than 25 years, he explained that possession is not a spiritual threat in the same way temptation is, and that a person who has been possessed by the devil may still make “extraordinary spiritual progress” and could even one day be a saint. This is because demonic possession of a person’s body occurs without that person’s knowledge or consent. The possession in and of itself does not make the victim morally blameworthy.
“We must not undervalue the significance of temptation. It’s not as spectacular as possession, but it’s far more dangerous [to the soul],” Father Dermine said. “To resist temptation is simple,” he encouraged, although it might not always be easy. “You must avoid the occasions of temptation, of course, and you must have a Christian and spiritual life. You must pray, you must try to behave correctly, and to love the people you meet every day and the people with whom you live.” Father Dermine said the next most common form of demonic activity is oppression. Sometimes, people can have many problems, often of a health, business or family nature, which cannot be explained by natural causes. If the cause is deemed to be demonic oppression, these problems are called “preternatural” and may require the assistance of an exorcist.
“This is the most common extraordinary action of the devil,” Father Dermine said, while temptation is considered an “ordinary” demonic action. Father Dermine warned that people should not immediately conclude that physical problems or suffering are a result of demonic oppression because they are most often explainable by natural causes. If someone has visited a doctor, or a psychologist if applicable, and no natural explanation could be found, then they may visit an exorcist. “When a person comes and asks for a blessing for a specific problem, the first thing an exorcist must ask is: Did you see the doctor?” the priest said.