Although most often exploited through Hollywood horror movies, exorcism is nonetheless a solemn and valid rite in the Catholic Church.  In the latest Texas Catholic Podcast, Bishop Daniel Flores of the Diocese of Brownsville discusses the Church’s scriptural basis of exorcism, the signs of demonic possession, and how potential cases are assessed.

The podcast was recorded before more than one hundred young adults at a McAllen pub on November 21, 2011 for a Theology on Tap series sponsored by the Diocese’s Campus and Young Adult Ministry and recorded by the Dioceses’ newspaper, The Valley Catholic. It is available either via the Texas Catholic Podcast on iTunes or on the Texas Catholic Conference’s website at the Audio Archive.

The discussion allowed Bishop Flores to elaborate the Catholic Church’s teaching on exorcism and its place in the modern world.

“Today there is a continuing fascination with the issue of the devil and the issue of evil,” said Bishop Flores. “How do we explain this kind of evil in the world or is it all medieval imagination?”

“The devil’s ultimate purpose is to drive an individual to give up and despair, a condition when one believes that they can’t be helped even by God,” explained Bishop Flores. To combat despair and the influence of evil, he encouraged listeners to “live the sacraments”, cultivate a life of prayer, and keep holy water and other holy objects close.

“Is the Church afraid of the devil? No. Why? Because we believe in the triumph of God’s mercy by the blood of Christ on the cross.”

The Texas Catholic Podcast series provides keynotes and presentations that highlight the diversity of the Catholic faith in Texas. Listen to Bishop Flores’ presentation, as well as other episodes, on the Texas Catholic podcast.