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Expert: Fr. Timothy Johnson - 11/24/2008


Question
Hi there, I suffer from anxiety and still can't find any peace on this topic that has seriously been scaring me since that whole "Exorism of Emily Rose" hype came out around 2005.

I never saw these movies, never read these books.. but the advertisments and talk that circulated about this topic was inevitable that I would run into the topic. When I'd rather have avoided it!

What freaked me and my other Catholic friend out was that Cathilics that were even steeped in devotion can be affected by evil spirits.  

So now I am really unconfortable on a daily basis...

I know that according to the writings of a top exorcist, theses are the causes of possessions/obsessions/opressions:

1) God wills it.
-I'm fine with that (mostly..), since I trust God

2)Occult Activity.
-I reject all occult activity. Slight dabbling a long time ago, like many other youths with fortune telling games, but I confessed it and took sacrements and continue to reject any occultic things.

- OK so I feel better about that aspect, should I still be worried even if I confessed/took communion after confessing?

3)Curses put on a person even if innocent:
-I thought that since I am baptised and an active Catholic, saying prayers and taking sacrements I am protected!!??
now I'm starting the shake with doubt and fear here...

4)Hardening of Sin:
OK-so we are all sinners, including myself.. what is hardening? I know I'm not perfect. I do my best under circumstances, examine my concience and purge out my sins at confession, say daily prayers...
-still scared of being affected by possession/obession/opression

Help put my mind at ease.. is there something I'm "not getting" here??
Thanks

Answer
Hi, jt:
Thanks for the question;
But I have to admit that it is a little out of my league.  Recall the words of Jesus Who tells us: "Do not be afraid."
It sounds as though you are a serious Catholic, and I can only encourage you to stay true in your beliefs and practices.  Be sure to stay strong and persevere.  Rejoice that you confessed your past occult activities and put them behind you... don't keep looking back.  Go forward into the Light of Christ, and continue to live and abide in God.

Fr. Timothy Johson

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Fr. Timothy Johnson

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A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.

Experience

I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.

Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)

Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology; MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary; 2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality. BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy; BA - Liberal Arts; AA - General Studies.

Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15. Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office. I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church. Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.

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