Cardinal Rivera says every priest is an exorcist

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Comments: 6

Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera

Mexico City, Mexico, Jul 15, 2008 / 09:15 pm (CNA).- The Archbishop of Mexico City, Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera, said during a pastoral visit to the parish of San Pedro Cuajimalpa that every priest is an exorcist because of his priestly ministry and is called to exercise the service of expelling the Evil One especially through the Sacrament of Confession.

The parish of San Pedro is known for the “healing” ministry of its current pastor, Father Jose Jil, as well as that of its former pastor, Father Pedro Pantoja.

“Every priest is called to fight against evil in his midst, not only through his example and council, but also through his own office: that of exorcist,” said Cardinal Rivera.

Cardinal Rivera said that when he became Bishop of Tehuacan, he did not see the need for a “healing” ministry in that diocese. But when he came to Mexico City he realized there was a need to directly combat the action of the devil in the faithful, “whose wounds, more than psychological, are of a moral order due to the serious contamination of human values.”

He revealed that this experience led him to dedicate a priest in each of the eight regions of the most populous archdiocese in the world to the work of exorcism through “prayer, healing and liberation, to help the faithful who are under the control of evil.”

Cardinal Rivera recalled that the priest’s greatest act of liberation from evil lies in the sacrament of Reconciliation.

Comments: 6

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Terry
Chicago, IL USA 07/25/2008 12:11 AM EST

Thank you Cardinal for supporting this ministry. Exorcism is a mandate of Jesus yet it is ignored by most bishops. We lose too many Catholics every year to Christian churches who offer deliverance prayer. Worse off are those who go to spiritists and occultists who promise relief and instead open more doors. The sad thing is that there are many in the Catholic Church who deny the existence of the devil. Too many of our seminaries are teaching too little about the devil to our future priests. The devil would like us all to think that he doesn't exist.

1 John 3:8 "The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work."

We need to pray harder for our religious leaders.

Published by: Jason
Louisiana, USA 07/16/2008 03:29 PM EST

The new Vatican-II rite of ordination does not make every priest an exorcist, unlike the Traditional Catholic rite of ordination does. I invite you to research and study this for yourselves. We should all be informed Catholics. Dominus vobiscum.

Published by: Anastacia
Truckee, CA 07/16/2008 02:04 PM EST

I heard Cardinal Riveria at the mass of Lady of Guadalupe when I was at the Basilica in Mexico City. May all religious speak out as he does. May God continue to bless him.

Published by: EVELYN MARTIN
CATSKILL, NEW YORK 07/16/2008 10:34 AM EST

The truth needs to be said that every priest can do minor exorcims, (confession, prayers for healing,) but ONLY a priest who has been appointed by his Bishop or Superior can do major exorcisms. (thus he is called an official exorcist)if this were not the case, only God knows what bad could happen..there are rules to this ministry..
sincerely, evelyn martin+

Published by: Andrew Cole
Burlington, Kentucky 07/16/2008 08:35 AM EST

Rate: Excellent

I heard that the Chief Exorcist of Rome has said that the Devil fears Confession the most. I have heard from a priest friend of mine that the Devil hates Confession because he hates humility in a soul and that he hates it when souls are healed. God Bless this great Cardinal and let's pray for all Cardinals, Bishops & Priests, our spiritual leaders!

Published by: Joseph Wagner
Sarasota Fl. USA 07/16/2008 08:26 AM EST

Hello I believe that Cardinal Rivera is correct in saying every priest is an exorcist. We surely need them

Sincerely, Joseph Wagner

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