tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9605443.post115694953000042939..comments2023-07-31T11:16:26.491+08:00Comments on The Threshold of Hope: Church sued over 'exorcism'Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9605443.post-38289613202817406042007-11-08T21:55:00.000+08:002007-11-08T21:55:00.000+08:00to jeremy,not to start a flame war or whatever , b...to jeremy,<BR/><BR/>not to start a flame war or whatever , but i do think that God has his ways of helping our christian brothers and sisters with an alternative to exorcism. Being a catholic myself infact. I do think the woman was lying though , how could she know what was going on doing the "possession"? Demonic possessions block out the victims mental and volitional contact to reality. But God does allow things to happen i guess , like how the evil one had to ask for Gods permit to harass Job.Catmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09326678315240830516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9605443.post-1158501941942389302006-09-17T22:05:00.000+08:002006-09-17T22:05:00.000+08:00There's a nice big article on page 2 of the Sunday...There's a nice big article on page 2 of the Sunday Times (Sep 17), Lifestyle section on this matter, with information from a talk that Father William Goh gave at CANA - The Catholic Centre, and an interview the Straits Times had with him.<BR/><BR/>The reason he was chosen by the media to be interviewed is because he is "a speaker for the diocese and spiritual director for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal and Catholic Spirituality Centre" and "is the official spokesman on the matter".<BR/><BR/>The article describes the differences between demonic possession, demonic obsession, and demonic opposition. It's a good read and a good summary of the talk held at CANA. <BR/><BR/>Also, with regards to the details of the case especially on the side of the Church, they are not being made known to the public, which I believe is following the advice of their lawyers. It is quite sound advice and good of the Church to make known the truth about what demonic possession is, so as to clear up doubts and confusion among the public... which I personally feel is a better move than explaining the details of the case which will only bring up more questions and is something best left to the courts to judge on.<BR/><BR/>During the talk, Father William Goh said something interesting. He said that this case is a blessing in disguise because it makes people think of the possibility of the existence of evil, and it gives the Church an opportunity to remind the world that evil does exist. <BR/><BR/>I think that's very true, because the best way an enemy can attack is by first convincing us that he doesn't exist, and that's what secularism does to people these days.Danielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17423334447265311020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9605443.post-1157436241352072482006-09-05T14:04:00.000+08:002006-09-05T14:04:00.000+08:00Hi,Just want to direct you to Norman's comments ex...Hi,<BR/><BR/>Just want to direct you to Norman's comments explaining what a writ of summons is, and the fact that a trial might not need to take place. <BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://thecassockandcotta.blogspot.com/2006/08/priests-get-sued.html" REL="nofollow">http://thecassockandcotta.blogspot.com/2006/08/priests-get-sued.html</A>ChrisYeohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04480542368518702944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9605443.post-1157362044570649702006-09-04T17:27:00.000+08:002006-09-04T17:27:00.000+08:00"I'm quite glad that the media was able to approac..."I'm quite glad that the media was able to approach Father William Goh on this matter. I suspect that the reason for it is that he's in charge of SACCRE, and that the media was indeed directed to him for queries."<BR/><BR/>1. What is SACCRE?<BR/>2. And why does being in charge of SACCRE mean that Fr William is the best person to talk to regarding the exorcism case?<BR/>3. and why are you glad that Fr William was approached when an official church statement prepared by the archdiocese would have been much more prudent?<BR/>4. And, is there any evidence for holding that the media was directed to him?<BR/><BR/>Ok, to be more obvious in my line of inquiry:<BR/><BR/>1. SACCRE stands for Singapore Archdiocesan Catholic Charismatic Renewal Experience. <BR/>2. SACCRE has nothing clearly to do with Novena church, exorcism, or media affairs.So, there is no obvious reason why the leader of SACCRE should be the right person to talk to.<BR/>3. Since an offical prepared statement would have been better, there is no reason why one should be glad that Fr William was quoted.<BR/>4. And finally, as far as I know, you have not spoken to Fr William or the media, and do not know if the media was directed to him specifically by the archdiocese or not. Thus, you have no valid reason to "suspect" that that the media was indeed directed to him for queries.<BR/><BR/>If all the above is true, can you explain, Daniel, why you make such remarks?ChrisYeohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04480542368518702944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9605443.post-1157360191527258352006-09-04T16:56:00.000+08:002006-09-04T16:56:00.000+08:00I'm quite glad that the media was able to approach...I'm quite glad that the media was able to approach Father William Goh on this matter. I suspect that the reason for it is that he's in charge of SACCRE, and that the media was indeed directed to him for queries. <BR/><BR/>It is indeed a good idea to have a person in charge of PR in the church. However, I wonder if it is possible to always give a good impression about the faith. For example, if this case goes badly for the Church, it will give a bad impression. But if it goes well for the Church, the Church can still be painted as a bully against a small victim. <BR/><BR/>As lay Catholics, we too must do our part to be informed on what an exorcism really is, and to be able to explain it to our friends and acquaintances, whether it be in person, or via the internet. Let us take this opportunity to turn a negative incident into a positive one. Then we can really give a good impression of our faith.Danielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17423334447265311020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9605443.post-1157213561769865562006-09-03T00:12:00.000+08:002006-09-03T00:12:00.000+08:00We should not jump to conclusions while facts are ...We should not jump to conclusions while facts are obscure. Instead, let us pray that Justice is served.war in the pockethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14256605204506268524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9605443.post-1157119741458805372006-09-01T22:09:00.000+08:002006-09-01T22:09:00.000+08:00Its a pity that our seperated brethren lost the Ri...Its a pity that our seperated brethren lost the Rite of Exorcism. An exorcism can only be performed with the permission of the Apostle of the Land, and it follows rather strict rubrics. I myself have a copy of the Dominican Rite of Exorcism in English and Latin, and it is really very beautiful. It is also a real pity that many Catholics mistake 'Praying Over' and 'Prayers of Deliverance' for exorcism. Like the Mass, Exorcism is a case of 'doing the red and reading the black'. With 'creative liturgy' in the Mass however, many Catholics have been left confused.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9605443.post-1157016807190965422006-08-31T17:33:00.000+08:002006-08-31T17:33:00.000+08:00A lawsuit needs not end up in a trial and may be s...A lawsuit needs not end up in a trial and may be settled before that or abandoned. If it is frivolous it will be apparent before the trial. Let us pray for a speedy resolution.Normanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14414514506722507846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9605443.post-1157006897160557052006-08-31T14:48:00.000+08:002006-08-31T14:48:00.000+08:00An excellent notice. Worthy of an official stateme...An excellent notice. Worthy of an official statement by the Archdiocese. Thanks, John. -chrisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9605443.post-1157002936055431392006-08-31T13:42:00.000+08:002006-08-31T13:42:00.000+08:00When I read the news, I too wanted to share it her...When I read the news, I too wanted to share it here. But I was wondering if our thoughts might turn detrimental on the perceptions of the Church. <BR/><BR/>Likewise, I share the sentiments that the church lacks a proper PR person to be the spokesperson. Come to think of it, it's always the Archbishop whom we know isn't exactly the best person for the job as can be seen during the Tsunami Catastrophe and Casino Stand. <BR/><BR/>I was discussing this issue with my dad, and he wondered if the lady is a Catholic or a frequent go-er to Novena Church (St Alphonsus) because there seems to be some suspicious assertions there. <BR/><BR/>But what John and Chris said is right, whether we like it or not, it's time for someone to speak on behalf of the Church to the public. Such drama is indeed disconcerting to Catholics, and especially to new enquirers.Nick!https://www.blogger.com/profile/06319046997700017515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9605443.post-1156999436343884232006-08-31T12:43:00.000+08:002006-08-31T12:43:00.000+08:00John, will you be able to share that RCIA email he...John, will you be able to share that RCIA email here? Rgds, Chris.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com