CHAPTER SEVEN

 

CHAPTER SEVEN

 Father Alphonsus sat alone behind his desk at the rectory deep in thought.  He remembered his life before he entered the priesthood.  It was when he was married.  Even now twenty years after her death he often thought about his wife.  A stroke took her from him in an instant.  He was grateful she did not suffer a long illness, yet the shock of her death meant the end of his former life.

Religion always played a major role in his life.  Before he met his wife, he intended to join the priesthood.  They met in college while taking the same course on philosophy.  As her death happened in an instant so too did their falling in love.  It seemed to him so long ago, more a dream than a reality.

When he chose marriage over the priesthood Father Alphonsus felt psychiatry was the best alternative.  At one time mental illness was believed to be a form of demonic possession.  Gradually it became an accepted illness that responded to treatment.  He would serve God by helping the sick of mind instead of helping people spiritually.

After her death, he gave up his psychiatric practice to join the priesthood as he first intended.

Though at times being alone was painful, he was sure he could never find another woman to take her place.  All he wanted now was a quiet life.  Celibacy in the Church seemed the best way of living, freeing him from the distractions of money, family, children and sex.  Yet he often wondered if his decision to leave everything behind to begin a new life as a priest was the right one.

Father Alphonsus went to the window overlooking the backyard of the church.  Sparrows gathering by a hanging birdfeeder reminded him of Saint Francis who saw all of nature as a mirror of God.  Saint Francis believed he was a brother of all that was alive.

A story about Saint Francis came to mind.  Birds of various kinds were feeding on the ground near the monastery where the saint lived.

Saint Francis spoke to them about praising God who clothed them in feathers, gave them wings to fly, provided them with pure air and cared for them without any worries.  The birds came to him instead of flying away.

All Father Alphonsus wanted now was to be like those birds free from the cares of life.  He laughed.  Whenever he walked up to the birds, they flew away in fear long before he could take a step closer.  They knew he was far from being a saint.

He returned to his seat behind the desk to continue brooding.  When he first entered the priesthood, he found the quiet peacefulness he desired.  That only lasted a short time.  One day the bishop came to Saint Michael the Archangel Church to give him a special assignment.  The conversation about his assignment played in his mind, more like an imaginary happening than a reality.

 

“Father Alphonsus I want your expertise in psychiatry to fill an important need for our parish.”

“I’m honored and will gladly do what I can.”

“If you knew what I want you to do you might not be so eager.”

Father Alphonsus’ curiosity peaked.

“With the illness of Father Jones, he is taking an early retirement and I want you to help our new exorcist.”

“But I’m a psychiatrist.  I believe such matters have a physical bodily cause and can be treated with medication and counseling.”

“Well, that’s the reason I want you.  I want you to use your knowledge of psychiatry to help determine if a person is in fact possessed or the victim of mental illness.  You will not treat him.  You will refer him to a local psychiatrist.  If, however you can find no medical explanation you will refer him to our exorcist.”

“First of all, I’ve told you already that I do not believe in demonic possession.  Secondly, I have no idea how an exorcism works.”

"As to the first objection, you are a priest and there are many references to exorcisms in the New Testament.  ‘He gave the power against unclean spirits, to cast them out’ (Matt. 10:1) is one example.  You must try to have faith in this. 

The second point will be resolved by firsthand experience.  I’m certain that when you encounter a true demonic possession you will see how it works.”

“I’m a psychiatrist.  I’m sure these cases are due to epilepsy, hysteria, schizophrenia, or some other physical and psychological disorders,” Father Alphonsus protested.

“Yes.  But not all.  That’s why we want you to make sure the person is really possessed before we send him to the exorcist who will perform the ritual.”

Both Father Alphonsus and the bishop were quiet, not sure what to say.  The bishop spoke first.

“Everywhere people are afraid of demonic possession.  They don't know much about it but still they fear it.  They look to us for answers.  Even though the entire subject is not clear we must help them.”

“But how?”

“We can’t say we have no idea what to do.  You have more of a belief in psychiatry than in exorcism.  Once you learn what to look for, once you are sure psychiatry will not work then you'll know when to send the afflicted soul to the exorcist.”

Father Alphonsus paused for a moment before deciding.

“I’ll do my best.”

 

There was always one point that troubled Father Alphonsus.  When he possesses someone against his will, the devil attempts to scare and force the person into giving up his soul.  In effect, the victim has not chosen to be with the devil.  He cannot be totally to blame.  Prayer and exorcism can save his soul.

On the other hand, he could never understand why anyone would freely choose to give up his eternal soul for a temporary gain.  Why would anyone sell his soul to the devil knowing he must spend eternity in hell?

Father Alphonsus believed a more likely scenario was to seduce the man gradually into committing ever-increasing acts of evil in exchange for what he desires.  As the sinner becomes closer to Satan, he begins to reject God.  He finds himself at home with the devil and other evil doers.  He becomes like a member of a gang.  The result is the same.  In effect, he has sold his soul to the devil.

In such a case, an exorcism was of no benefit because the devil has not entered the person's body.  Instead, the man is fulfilling his part of the agreement in exchange for the benefits Satan can give him.

How could he solve such a case?  He was sure there must be a way to invalidate such an unwritten contract, but he did not know how.

Father Alphonsus checked his watch.  It was almost time to hear the confessions of his parishioners in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  This always made him anxious.  He calmed himself then headed for the church.