Mexican cardinal says existence of devil must be taken seriously

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Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera, Archbishop of Mexico City and Primate of Mexico

Mexico City, Mexico, Jul 16, 2009 / 02:26 pm (CNA).- The Archbishop of Mexico City, Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera, said yesterday that the existence of the devil must be taken as fact, without exaggerating or minimizing his actions out of skepticism or credulity taken to the extreme.

During a conference for exorcists in Mexico, the cardinal said skepticism leads many to deny the existence of the devil and dismiss his actions as psychological, socio-cultural or paranormal phenomena. Others, out of extreme gullibility, see the devil everywhere and grant him supernatural powers as if he were God, the cardinal stated.

According to the Archdiocese of Mexico City’s news service, Cardinal Rivera said that many people embrace esoteric and occult practices because of their estrangement from God.

He encouraged exorcists to appeal to the Virgin Mary for help, as she plays a special role in the fight against the demonic. “She brings us to Jesus, she protects us and cares for us in this difficult ministry ... Mary also participates in exorcisms. She herself is an exorcist and expels the devil through her sanctity,” the cardinal stressed.

“The Lord Jesus, together with the Virgin Mary, helps us to lend a hand to those who are weakest and most in need, especially in sensitive and prudent cases of liberation or exorcism,” Cardinal Rivera stated.

Throughout human history, he recalled, “there has been a hard battle against the powers of darkness, which began at the origins of the world and will endure until the last day, according to what the Lord has said.”

Comments: 22

Subscriber comments:

Published by: dAVID LARSEN
scituate Mass 07/23/2009 11:26 AM EST

Dear God I know that it only takes a few seconds engaged in a flurry of madness that can ruin a life for ever. I know that any willful action against another,in a pure sense of hostility,is not of God. Evil is real and an offense to God and if this is some mid-evil sense of the devil,than that is what it still is today. Save us all from every sense that we have within us to commit evil. Help us to always act with a love for Christ within us. In Christ,we know that God is good and we have received this goodness in the power of the Holy Spirit,to act in accordance with all the love that we all share in Christ's name. Amen.

Published by: Brendan Bradley
Ireland 07/21/2009 03:16 AM EST

"Can you honestly believe all this? People, you are in the Middle Ages!"

This is mainly for Alberto: What do you call abortion? What kind of world are we living in when unborn babies are routinely slaughtered in the womb? What/who is behind the murder of two young brilliant French students in London who were stabbed hundreds of times and their bodies set alight, all for the sake of their credit cards? These murders were described as unmitigated evil. It's unlikely that the prosecution or judge who described the murders in these terms would stick their necks out and say the killings were demonic. But ask the guys who tortured their victims to death, and went on stabbing them after they were dead, if there is a devil or not. What answer do you think they'd give?

Published by: Diane Caissie
Edmonton, AB Canada 07/20/2009 05:19 PM EST

It's so good to hear the truth about the existence of Satan from our clergy. There should be some exorcists attending the next Youth World Day to spread this message and warnings!

Published by: T. Chau Van
Long Beach CA USA 07/19/2009 08:15 PM EST

The satanic cult is very real.I am worried for the younger generation.Thanks be to God for our Holy Mother,for the rosary as our weapon against evil spirits.May we have total trust in our Mother and remember to use the weapon she gave us in our daily life,for our own protection and for the salvation of others.

Published by: Alberto
Toa Alta, PR 07/19/2009 05:17 PM EST

Can you honestly believe all this? People, you are in the Middle Ages!

Published by: sarah
san jose CA 07/19/2009 03:57 PM EST

I would like to thank cardinal carrera, many forget the subject of our adversary, the acuser. others attempt to minimize him into a fairy tale villain or paint him as a figment of a volitile imagination. I myself as a young child underwent severe demonic attack in many forms. It was often so bad, I could see them in broad daylight. Yet I couldn't tell anyone. every person at one time or another manages to forget the power of prayer, and even more forgotten is not only the power of exorcists, but also their responsibility to the aflicted.

Published by: Arne
USA 07/19/2009 12:51 PM EST

Dear Rinda, well said may all take heed!

Published by: Julie
India 07/19/2009 07:28 AM EST

Indeed this war with the evil one is real and we are his targets, but with our Bl.Mother he can do nothing, the ROSARY is the biggest weapon that we have and satan hates it like anything.Be with us Mary along the way.

Published by: jeannette
USA 07/18/2009 10:08 PM EST

God bless Cardinal Rivera. I pray many eyes and hearts will be open to this teaching. I pray many too in the Church will
echo Cardinal Rivera's words for the sake of the salvation of many souls.

Published by: bpeterson
vancouver, wash, USA 07/18/2009 03:44 PM EST

If only people would realize the seriousness of the moment. There will be no one to save you in the end. That's a scary thought for whoever scoffs now.How hard is it to simply acknowedge there's a God higher than yourself? In the end, hell belongs to the ignorant and the arrogant.

Published by: Jan
Calumet City IL USA 07/18/2009 03:35 PM EST

I've heard Fr.Corapi say that if God is the Empire STate building that Satan is no larger than a speck of sand..however...he is always telling us of the reality of the devil..for those who go out unarmed with the graces from confession and eucharist and the rosary it's a tough walk against the powers of darkness. Armed with the Holy Eucharist and sacramentals we have nothing to fear.

Published by: Brian
Everett, WA 07/18/2009 12:18 PM EST

Not to diminish Our Lady one iota. I am aware of her place as queen of Heaven and Earth, but isn't it St. Joseph who is the Terror of Demons, as he is the one who protected Our Lord from the Slaughter of the Innocents?

Published by: L.
warwick, ri usa 07/18/2009 12:10 PM EST

Satan is definitely real: just look for proof among the millions of abortions performed. Just look at the leadership of the USA for proof. Look at the liberal lifestyles of so many and you know that Satan is real. God help us.

Published by: Vicente Trevino
Seguin, TX USA 07/18/2009 12:03 PM EST

I agree with the Cardinal. Too many people dismiss evil events as bad luck or something other than acts of the devil. We are in a continual spiritual warfare but we can always win by rebuking the devil in the name of Jesus. That little voice within us who always opposes the good we want to do is none other than the devil himself.

Published by: Maki
Great Neck, NY, USA 07/17/2009 09:40 PM EST

Let us all remember the works for which Jesus ordained His first twelve apostles: "that they should be with Him, and that He might send them forth to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils." Therefore, are not all these works still the works of God that His ordained are called to do? As for in whose power the works must be performed, should we not turn to what Jesus Himself said - i.e. by none other than the Spirit of God, the Holy Ghost Who alone can bind the evil one so that Satan's house might be destroyed. May the Blessed Mother help keep us in oneness with Her Son in His Holiness. Amen.

Published by: Francis D'Mello MD
East Brunswick NJ 07/17/2009 08:45 PM EST

Cardinal Rivera has told us the truth about Satan. He is our enemy who is trying to get our soul, by his snares, the attacks of the world and sins of the flesh. He has told us how to defend ourselves,seeking Our Mothers help, the angel's and saint's help. God Bless!

Published by: Donna Suarez
Lake Charles,La 07/17/2009 08:39 PM EST

There are only 2 forces to choose between. I have seen the increase just in the past week. W need to choose our side, unite and be The Church Militant. May St. Michael also help us in our struggles. Thanks

Published by: Sara
Arizona, U.S. 07/17/2009 08:30 PM EST

According to St. Louis de Montfort, there are benefits to wearing a rosary.
There is nothing wrong with wearing a rosary.

Published by: Tony Palubeskie
Paris, ON, Canada 07/17/2009 02:45 PM EST

Yes, the Devil is very real. An aquaintance years ago brought an evil presence into my home. When he entered a room where I had a blessed Crucifix on the wall the presence left him but the odor of it, sulphur and rotten meat, was left in the room but only in one spot. It didn't spread throughout the room and spray deodorent didn't affect it. It dawned on me, finally, what it
was and I sprinkled holy water on the spot.The smell left immediately. Yes, the evil of Hell is real.

Published by: Debbie Gum
Kissimmee, Fl, USA 07/17/2009 10:32 AM EST

I agree with Rinda 100%. Maybe if we unplugged ourselves from 24-hour news, ghost huntings and Harry Potter, and prayed more, many of our problems would dissipate.

Published by: DLL
SCITUATE MASS 07/17/2009 01:29 AM EST

"The proof of the pudding is in the pie". The maddness inspired in the everyday actions of inhumanity are NOT of God. Rindas right pray the Rosary every day! The devil is always very politically correct,no matter what nationality that is to be influenced by pure evil.

Published by: Rinda
UK 07/16/2009 03:10 PM EST

Rate: Excellent

Our Godparents vowed - on our behalf at baptism - to renounce Satan, his works and his empty promises. There are many who think that Satan exists only in horror movies! It is the Father of Lies who convinces people that Hell does not exist and may poor souls fall for that deception. The Holy Rosary has always been called "the weapon against evil" - not fashion items! Our Lady has given us a sling and several rocks to floor our mortal enemy just as David did Goliath. She crushes the serpent's head (just look at your Miraculous Medal). During the war, it was always said that you must know your enemy. The devil is real; hell is real; we must ALL get real - that's what Our Blessed Lady has been saying at Fatima etc. More priests and religious should follow Cardinal Rivera's example and get the world to know its enemy...it's never too late!

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