AFRO-CARIBBEAN RELIGION

I often attend daily Mass at a chapel in the heart of the city that is home to many in the Spanish community. Once in a while I notice women wearing the traditional dress of their homeland in the Caribbean Islands. And I have wondered over the years: “Why do the hands of some ‘shake’ after receiving Holy Communion?” “What causes their hands to ‘tremor’ after receiving the Holy Eucharist?”

A few weeks ago, I again witnessed this “shaking or tremor” of the hands after receiving Holy Communion. And again, it was a woman wearing the traditional dress of the Caribbean Islands.

I gently approached this woman after Mass. She did not understand a word of English, but I felt compelled by the Holy Spirit to touch her forehead. And when I did, the shaking (tremor) immediately stopped. As people were still exiting the chapel, I could do no more for her. I waited to speak with the pastor.

The monsignor told me that he is aware of this “shaking” and believes it to be “cultural.” He told me it also occurs during the Sacrament of Penance.

Trusting in our good relationship, I told the monsignor that even a devout Catholic woman can have an evil spirit in her body -- and that this “shaking” (this tremor of the hands) could be an evil spirit reacting to the Divine Presence in the Sacraments.

Later that day, I realized the monsignor was also correct in believing this condition to be “cultural.” His parish includes much of the Spanish community -- including immigrants from Latin America and the Caribbean Islands, where Voodoo and Santeria are widely practiced!

Santeria is a system of beliefs that merges the Yoruba religion -- brought to the New World by African slaves imported to the Caribbean to work the sugar plantations -- with Roman Catholicism. Countries where Santeria is practiced today include Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, Belize, Brazil... and the United States.

Santeria is the worship of Yoruba spirits -- called Orishas. Invoking spirits and spirit possession are important parts of Santeria in Cuba.

Although the Roman Catholic Church officially condemns Santeria, this Afro-Caribbean religion is practiced by many who attend Catholic Mass. Santeria is part of their culture. It is the "fusion" of the Yoruba religion with Catholicism.

Blending of Yoruba Orishas with Catholic Saints

Santeria may appear to be the veneration of Catholic saints; however, it is actually the worship of Yoruba spirits -- called Orishas. Orishas are believed to have influence over human affairs. Each Orisha is believed to express a specific aspect of life: romantic love, money matters, passion, virility... and healing. Altars, statues and artwork are created to revere particular deities. Believers each have their own Orisha that protects and supports them throughout life -- like a guardian angel.

Divination, invoking spirits, spell-casting and spirit possession are all important parts of Santeria. And then there is the darker side of Santeria -- “Palo Mayombe” (black magic). Like practitioners of witchcraft and the Occult, practitioners of Santeria are easily possessed and in need of deliverance.

Palo Mayombe - Black Magic

A PALO MAYOMBE SITE 

FOUND IN MIAMI, FLORIDA, USA 

 

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OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an “anxiety” disorder characterized by recurring, un-welcomed thoughts or images (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or the urgent need to engage in certain rituals (compulsions). Repetitive behaviors or rituals (such as repetitive hand washing, house cleaning… counting or checking things repeatedly) are performed with the hope of preventing and stopping obsessive thoughts. But these “rituals” provide only temporary relief.

Thoughts come from three places:

the subconscious mind, God, and the Devil.

 

Mental health professionals are able to help OCD patients live relatively productive and fulfilling lives. But they have no cure. Treatment for OCD includes therapy (such as cognitive-behavioral therapy) and drugs (such as Prozac, Paxil… or Zoloft). _ National Institute of Mental Health

OCD may be a result of changes in the body’s natural chemistry or brain functions. OCD may also have a genetic component.

Although mental health professionals are able to help their patients live “relatively productive and fulfilling lives,” they have no “cure” for OCD -- because they ignore (or reject) the “spiritual” aspect of the disorder.

Many OCD sufferers are in need of “deliverance” and “inner-healing.”

I once viewed a program on OCD that focused on two heartbreaking cases. In both cases, OCD had a “trigger.” And that trigger was “trauma” -- a “traumatic” event in the lives of the people. Trauma provided the opportunity (the open door) for evil spirits to invade (with the intent to destroy).

OCD is devastating, heartbreaking… and hopeless for people living in darkness. OCD is more than mental illness. It is also a spiritual disorder that cannot be cured by therapy and drugs alone. (The condition is exasperated and worsened by evil spirits that attack areas of weakness, vulnerability… and mental illness.) 

TO ADVANCE YOUR INNER HEALING:

 

1) Spend time each day in silent,

meditative prayer

(at home or before the Blessed Sacrament);

 

2) Go to Confession (at least monthly);

 

3) Attend daily Mass (as often as possible);

 

4) Pray the Rosary every day.

 

5) Pray the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows of Mary.

http://catholicdeliverance.blogspot.com/2013/09/rosary-of-seven-sorrows-of-mary.html

 SPIRITUAL WARFARE FOR OCD?

 

“I plead the Blood of Jesus on my mind.

I plead the Blood of Jesus 

on every thought in my mind.”

 

Only Jesus can heal the trauma within a person. And when the trauma is healed, OCD -- and the evil spirits behind it -- will disappear. BUT when OCD is the result of changes in the body’s natural chemistry or brain functions, deliverance and inner healing are not enough.

God may choose to heal the brain and the body’s natural chemistry through prayer. But God also uses medication!

Some OCD sufferers are unable to separate themselves from the condition. For these, medication is needed. As the father of an OCD sufferer once said, “Just enough (medication) to take the edge off.”

Another course of action for recovery from OCD -- or any addictive and dysfunctional behavior -- is a Christ-centered “Twelve-Step Program.” 

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SLEEP PARALYSIS

"The Terror That Comes in the Night"

Many people have experienced the terrifying phenomenon of "sleep paralysis." Victims of sleep paralysis are awakened during the night and find themselves paralyzed, pinned to the bed, unable to move or speak. Many experience frightening visions of demons, dark shadows, shadow men... or an old woman -- a witch or old hag.

Victims of sleep paralysis have visual hallucinations (like being visited by aliens) and lucid dreams (dark or light) "that feel so real." Some have "out of body" experiences. Many find these experiences frightening; others find these experiences exciting. Some hear voices... and feel physical vibrations... And some enjoy these sensations.

"Some of my experiences (of sleep paralysis) are encounters with malevolent demons. Although nothing ever harms me, I sometimes hallucinate physical pain. Other experiences are enjoyable and include flying or floating (out of body), sexual encounters with an imagined, human-looking figure (succubus)... and feelings of amazing energy all over my body."

[ Many women and men have experienced the unwelcomed visit of a spirit that seduces, sexually stimulates... and attempts sexual penetration.
For More: http://catholicdeliverance.blogspot.com/2014/08/sex-demons-incubi-and-succubi.html ]

These spiritual attacks can occur for decades. Those who seek medical advice are often misdiagnosed and labeled psychotic or schizophrenic.

As with the “alien abduction” experience, the experience of “sleep paralysis” can be abruptly stopped by crying out the Name, JESUS!

God greatly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the Name that is above every name, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11)

The Name of Jesus causes the Devil to tremble.

But the one name that contains everything is the one that the Son of God received in His incarnation: JESUS. The divine name may not be spoken by human lips, but by assuming our humanity The Word of God hands it over to us and we can invoke it: "Jesus," "YHWH saves." (Exodus 3:14; 33:19-23; Matthew 1:21) The name "Jesus" contains all: God and man and the whole economy of creation and salvation. To pray "Jesus" is to invoke Him and to call Him within us. His name is the only one that contains the presence it signifies. Jesus is the Risen One, and whoever invokes the name of Jesus is welcoming the Son of God who loved him and who gave Himself up for him. (Romans 10:13; Acts 2:21; 3:15-16; Galatians 2:20) _ Catechism of the Catholic Church, #2666

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THERE ARE WAYS TO PREVENT SLEEP PARALYSIS FROM OCCURRING:

1) At bedtime, lightly spray the bedroom with holy water.

2) Use the following protection prayer:

"In the Name of Jesus, through the Immaculate Virgin Mary, I subject my mind and my dreams only to the work of the Holy Spirit.

I ask you Lord Jesus to bind up all powers of darkness and forbid them to work in my dreams or any part of my subconscious while I sleep.

Amen."

3) Pray the rosary, asking Mary to protect you during the night.

4) Do the following spiritual warfare:

"I plead the Blood of Jesus on my mind and body." / "I plead the Blood of Jesus on every evil spirit attacking my mind and body."

5) Get your home blessed by a priest.

6) Become a daily communicant.

If nothing seems to work, ask your pastor to do the "renewal of baptismal promises with the sprinkling of holy water" -- as is done at Easter.

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HOUSE CLEANSING

For people experiencing a “dark presence” in their home. 

 

Spray Holy Water in every room, closet and hallway

from the basement to the attic.
 

St. Theresa of Avila on the Power of Holy Water: "From long experience I have learned that there is nothing like holy water to put devils to flight and prevent them from coming back again. They also flee from the cross, but return; so holy water must have great value."

EXORCISM BLESSING FOR SALT AND WATER

"It takes a lot longer and is more work, but I now only do the traditional blessing of water. For the first half of my priesthood, I did what most priests do … I would just make the sign of the cross over the water and that was it. Then I got “The Roman Ritual” and I was shocked by the complete blessing of water including exorcisms and adding exorcised salt to the holy water." _ Fr. Richard Heilman

Rite from the Roman Ritual

P: Our help is in the name of the Lord.
R: Who made heaven and earth.

Exorcism and Blessing of Salt

(Necessary for Exorcism of Water)

P: O salt, creature of God, I exorcise you by the living (+) God, by the true (+) God, by the holy (+) God, by the God who ordered you to be poured into the water by Elisha the prophet, so that its life-giving powers might be restored. I exorcise you so that you may become a means of salvation for believers, that you may bring health of soul and body to all who make use of you, and that you may put to flight and drive away from the places where you are sprinkled; every apparition, villainy, turn of devilish deceit, and every unclean spirit; adjured by him who will come to judge the living and the dead and the world by fire.
R: Amen.

P: Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God, we humbly implore you, in your immeasurable kindness and love, to bless (+) this salt which you created and gave to the use of mankind, so that it may become a source of health for the minds and bodies of all who make use of it. May it rid whatever it touches or sprinkles of all uncleanness and protect it from every assault of evil spirits. Through Christ our Lord.
R: Amen.

Exorcism and Blessing of Water

P: O water, creature of God, I exorcise you in the name of God the Father (+) Almighty, and in the name of Jesus (+) Christ His Son, our Lord, and in the power of the Holy (+) Spirit. I exorcise you so that you may put to flight all the power of the enemy and be able to root out and supplant that enemy with his apostate angels, through the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will come to judge the living and the dead and the world by fire.
R: Amen.

P: Let us pray. O God, for the salvation of mankind, you built your greatest mysteries on this substance, water. In your kindness, hear our prayers and pour down the power of your blessing (+) into this element, made ready for many kinds of purifications. May this, your creature, become an agent of divine grace in the service of your mysteries, to drive away evil spirits and dispel sickness, so that everything in the homes and other buildings of the faithful that is sprinkled with this water, may be rid of all uncleanness and freed from every harm. Let no breath of infection and no disease-bearing air remain in these places. May the wiles of the lurking enemy prove of no avail. Let whatever might menace the safety and peace of those who live here be put to flight by the sprinkling of this water, so that the health obtained by calling upon your holy name, may be made secure against all attack. Through Christ our Lord.
R: Amen.

(Priest pours exorcised salt into the water, in the form of a cross)

P: May a mixture of salt and water now be made, in the name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
R: Amen.

P: The Lord be with you.
R: And with your spirit.

P: Let us pray. O God, Creator unconquerable, invincible King, Victor ever glorious, you hold in check the forces bent on dominating us. You overcome the cruelty of the raging enemy, and in your power, you beat down the wicked foe. Humbly and fearfully do we pray to you, O Lord, and we ask you to look with favor on this salt and water which you created. Shine on it with the light of your kindness. Sanctify it by the dew of your love, so that, through the invocation of your holy name, wherever this water and salt is sprinkled, it may turn aside every attack of the unclean spirit and dispel the terrors of the poisonous serpent. And wherever we may be, make the Holy Spirit present to us, who now implore your mercy. Through Christ our Lord.
R: Amen.

PRAYER TO ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL

Originally published in the Roman Raccolta 

July 23, 1898

http://catholicdeliverance.blogspot.com/2011/06/war-in-heaven_18.html

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SEVERING SOUL TIES

Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take Christ’s members and make them the members of a prostitute (or a sodomite, witch, psychic…)? Of course not!
[Or] do you not know that anyone who joins himself to a prostitute (or a sodomite, witch, psychic…) becomes one body with her (him)? For “the two,” it says, “will become one flesh.” (Matthew 19:6; Genesis 2:24) [And the demons in his/her body will have the right to invade and inhabit your body. (Demons are transferred through sexual intercourse.)]
But whoever is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with Him.
Avoid immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the immoral person sins against his own body (and opens a door to the demonic).
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been purchased at a price. Therefore, glorify God in your body.
(1 Corinthians 6:15-20)

"In the Name of the Father, and of the Son,

and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

Lord Jesus, I repent of all my sins. I renounce all pride, avarice, envy, anger and un-forgiveness. I renounce lust and all acts of fornication, adultery and homosexuality. I renounce gluttony and sloth. I renounce witchcraft, Santeria, the Occult, Satanism and the New Age.

Lord Jesus, I repent of joining with one practicing or dabbling in witchcraft, Santeria, the Occult, Satanism or the New Age. I repent of all my sinful relationships, and I renounce all unholy soul ties. I choose to forgive everyone in my life, both past and present. (And I will confess my sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation as soon as possible.)

“In the Name of Jesus, I sever all unholy soul ties between me and every human being, alive and dead.” (“In the Name of Jesus, I sever all unholy soul ties between my spouse and every human being, alive and dead.” / “In the Name of Jesus, I sever all unholy soul ties between each one of my children and every human being, alive and dead.”)

[Lord Jesus, I repent of having sexual relations with a spirit husband / spirit wife. “In the Name of Jesus, I sever the evil soul tie between me and my spirit husband / spirit wife."

(Adapt to meet your specific circumstances.)]

“In the Name of Jesus, I break every curse, hex, spell… and I bind all witchcraft directed against me.” (“In the Name of Jesus, I break every curse, hex, spell… and I bind all witchcraft directed against my spouse.” / “In the Name of Jesus, I break every curse, hex, spell… and I bind all witchcraft directed against my family and home.”)

“Most Precious Blood of Jesus, wash over me.” (“Most Precious Blood of Jesus, wash over my spouse.” / “Most Precious Blood of Jesus, wash over my family and home.”)

Lord Jesus, I surrender my life (and family) to You. May Your Divine Will reign in me. Amen.

"In the Name of the Father, and of the Son,

and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

Through the Sacraments, we receive Sanctifying Grace. The Sacrament of Confession is more powerful than the rite of exorcism. Living a Sacramental life is the best defense we have against the Devil. Attend Daily Mass and receive Holy Communion as often as possible.

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OUR SECRET WEAPON

Pleading the Blood of Jesus 

“Pleading the Blood of Jesus” (that is, Applying the Blood of Jesus) is both a defensive prayer for protection and an offensive weapon for deliverance. 

 A Prayer for Protection 

Evil spirits cause people to behave badly. Therefore, we “plead the Blood of Jesus” for protection -- protection from evil spirits and from people under their influence. Everything we cover with the Blood of Jesus is protected. We “plead the Blood of Jesus” on our loved ones, our homes, our property... on everything we want protected. 

“I plead the Blood of Jesus on 

my spouse and children.” 

“I plead the Blood of Jesus on 

my family, home and property.” 

Statues Desecrated at St. Ann's Catholic Church, 

Union City, CA 

We can prevent the desecration of Catholic churches, schools, cemeteries and statues... by “pleading the Blood of Jesus” on them. This will protect them from diabolical acts of desecration. 

Behind every act of desecration is an evil spirit. Evil spirits, and people under their influence, will avoid anything covered with the Blood of Jesus. 

“I plead the Blood of Jesus on 

my church and on all church property.” 

- etcetera - 

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A Spiritual Weapon 

Evil spirits can put thoughts in our minds. Evil spirits can project images on our minds. They can also invade our dreams. 

Sex demons can invade our dreams with pornographic thoughts and images of sexual fantasy. I have experienced such attacks early in the morning before fully awake. 

One morning, God gave me a prayer to fight off these attacks. I was inspired to “plead the Blood of Jesus ‘on my mind, and on every thought in my mind.’” And it worked. 

“I plead the Blood of Jesus on my mind. 

I plead the Blood of Jesus on 

every thought in my mind.” 

One morning, it was more than a dream. It was an intense seduction that was difficult to resist. I used the prayer God had given me for such attacks; but this time, it wasn’t enough. Then I was inspired to “plead the Blood of Jesus ‘on every evil spirit attacking my mind and body.’” And it worked. My mind cleared, and I felt my body ease... 

“I plead the Blood of Jesus on 

every evil spirit attacking my mind 

and body.” 

“Pleading the Blood of Jesus” is Our Secret Weapon 

Against the Attacks of the Enemy.

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MANY THOUGHTS ARE SPIRITS

 

Thoughts come from three places:

the subconscious mind, God,

and the Devil.

The holy angels are messengers; they carry messages from God to us. The fallen angels (a.k.a., evil spirits, demons) are also messengers, but of evil. Messages from angels -- both holy and fallen -- come to us as “thoughts.” 

Angels and demons can put thoughts
in our minds.
Angels and demons can also project images
on our minds. 

One day while praying the Rosary, I was distracted by a sudden image in my mind; it was pornographic and disturbing. Suddenly I realized I was being attacked. It was an evil spirit projecting an evil image on my mind.

The Devil does not want us to pray to God. And the Devil is afraid of the Blessed Virgin Mary! Evil spirits will attack our minds with all kinds of distractions. They can also cause us to become drowsy and fall asleep during prayer -- especially during the Rosary. 

God’s angels and Satan’s fallen angels are engaged in “spiritual combat.” This spiritual combat takes place in the “minds” of men -- and in the “heavens” above them (Revelation 12:7-9). 

Satan assaults our minds with temptations, obsessive thoughts and evil images... These evil thoughts and/or images enter our minds through Satan’s messengers, the evil spirits. We cannot stop temptations -- but we can chase away evil, obsessive thoughts and images. We can chase away the evil spirits: 

“I plead the Blood of Jesus on my mind. 

I plead the Blood of Jesus on 

every thought in my mind.” 

“I plead the Blood of Jesus on 

every evil spirit attacking my mind 

and body.” 

Use these spiritual weapons when you are harassed by impure thoughts, attacked with strong temptation, tempted to commit sin… when thoughts distract you during Mass, interfere with your prayer life, torment you during the night, preventing a good sleep… when you are afflicted with depressive or obsessive-compulsive thoughts… when your thoughts falsely accuse you of wrongdoing… when your thoughts are overly critical of yourself… when your thoughts become confused or “out of control”… when your thoughts are not your own…

Many negative, self-defeating, self-destructive thoughts come from evil spirits. If we do not reject them, we own them -- and when they become ours, we give them life. We give them power over us. And when we give voice to these negative, self-defeating, self-destructive thoughts from evil spirits, we can curse ourselves, and others. There is power in the spoken word.

Victims of demonic attack often wonder if the thoughts filling their heads are really their own. Have you ever wondered about those witty, biting comments that suddenly “come to mind” -- and roll off your tongue -- during a heated argument? Have you ever wondered about those perfect responses that cut so deep?

Why do people say horrible things -- things they really don’t mean -- during a heated argument? How can this happen within the security of a loving home, a faithful family? How do people know what buttons to push?

Evil spirits whisper comments in our ears, and we use them to hurt one another. Evil spirits cause confusion, misunderstandings, arguments, fights, division… and war.

Evil spirits inflame passions, inspire criminal behavior, provoke violence… suggest and embolden sacrilegious acts. Behind every act of desecration is an evil spirit!

Our struggle is not with flesh and blood
(Ephesians 6:12). 

We are caught in a spiritual war --
a war for the souls of men. 

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THE REAL POWER OF SATAN

 

From Exorcism and the Church Militant

By Fr. Thomas J. Euteneuer, Exorcist

In today’s day and age, Satan is growing exponentially more powerful due to the enormity of human sinfulness, and the Church must confront his power either willingly or unwillingly. Satan is normally “hidden in the dark sea of human sin and error,” like Leviathan of the Old Testament, but nowadays he is walking tall in powerful structures of sin like abortion, pornography, sex slavery, rapacious greed and terrorism. He flexes his muscles in the massive diffusion of errors and sinful practices like the doctrines of myriad false religions, pernicious ideologies like radical feminism and “pro-choice” extremism, the militant homosexual movement and the aggressive mass media which is the ministry of propaganda for Satan and all his works and all his empty promises.

Never in all of history have we seen evil promoted so effectively and the true good so roundly mocked and rejected as in this age of extreme technological prowess. Although evil has existed since the dawn of time and manifested itself to the world, the difference between the modern world and past generations is that Satan has a greater ability to use groups and institutions for increasing his wicked reach into human life and society. No longer is evil just practiced in the haunts of cemeteries, seedy parlors and hidden covens. Nowadays, objective evil is displayed out in the open air with impunity, celebrated in the public forum and strategized in plush board rooms. Whole industries and power groups are dedicated to its promotion and dissemination, and sometimes the sheer power of these industries of immorality defies imagination. They target the younger generations with an immense seductive force, and the young are almost entirely unequipped to deal with this tyranny of sin due to unparalleled attacks on faith, marriage, family and innocent human life in modern times. Not only do young people not know the truth about their salvation; they don't even know that they don’t know it.

The 21st century is a moral and spiritual battlefield of such immense proportions that no era of human history will have ever seen a war like it. Satan is using the cumulative force of this world’s sinfulness to re-define life as we know it. Now, this war is not just against trained combatants. It is total war against all that is sacred and natural. It is a war against humanity itself, something unseen before in all of history with the possible exception of atheistic Communism.

The Devil now arrogates to himself the right to control the totality of human existence even in so-called free societies: from manipulating the very act of creation (in vitro fertilization, cloning, Human Genome); to the authority over life and death (abortion, embryonic stem cell research, euthanasia); to the definition of human sexuality and marriage (birth control, divorce, homosexual unions); to the very prospect of human annihilation (nuclear war, genocide and the impending New World Order). Nothing escapes the rebellious forces of hedonism and secularism in their violent march through our world. They creep into the fabric of our lives and families like a vapor until they have poisoned the entire environment and make everyone believe that their toxicity is “normal.” If the measure of a war’s ferociousness is the number of casualties, the modern war to exterminate souls is unprecedented in the history of humanity; it is nothing short of history’s worst nuclear holocaust in spiritual terms.

Malachi Martin, in the 1992 preface to his book, Hostage to the Devil, said that “ritualistic Satanism and its inevitable consequence, demonic Possession, are now part and parcel of the atmosphere of life in America… such pervasive cultural desolation is the most fertile ground one could possibly imagine for the causes of Possession to take root and flourish in almost unimpeded freedom.” It must be kept in mind that such a frightening observation was made at a time before the advent of the Internet, the massive diffusion of New Age beliefs and the Harry Potter books and movies. Martin’s observations suggest that this evil is so all-encompassing that only the authority of God Himself, borne and administered by the Church, is adequate to meet this challenge.

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