CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga, Philippines — A Catholic priest-exorcist is discouraging the donning of frightening costumes and ghost hunting for Halloween, saying this could lead to diabolical possession.
Fr. Marius Roque, exorcist for the Archdiocese of San Fernando, told The STAR yesterday he has performed exorcism rites involving two young persons under such circumstances.
“One was the case of a teenage girl who wore a black lady costume for a Halloween party in San Matias (San Fernando). After a few weeks, it became obvious she was possessed by evil spirits,” he recalled.
Roque said when the girl was brought to his parish in San Fernando, he found her mouth and belly button emitting froth.
Exorcism rites, however, freed her from diabolical possession, he said.
Roque also cited the case of a teenage boy from Angeles City who was possessed by spirits after ghost hunting with friends inside an abandoned hospital built by the Americans in the 1960s in this place that used to be an air base.
The hospital, which housed a morgue in the basement for the remains of American soldiers killed in the Vietnam War, has been featured in various foreign cable channels, including National Geographic, as being haunted by spirits.
“At least 11 spirits seemed to have attached themselves to the boy after the ghost hunting episode at the abandoned hospital,” Roque recounted.
He theorized, however, that the spirits were apparently not evil and could have been souls of departed American soldiers seeking prayers for deliverance to heaven.
“It took only one exorcism session to free him from the intervention of the spirits. He vomitted 11 times which indicated the departure of each of the 11 spirits,” he said.
Roque urged parents to stop their children from wearing diabolical and fearful costumes for Halloween parties or trick or treat gimmicks in malls.
“Why make your children appear horrible? If they have to be costumed, it is better to make them wear costumes of saints or angels,” he said.
“Nov. 1 and Nov. 2 are days to remember the loving memories of departed relatives who had loved us, not terrified us. It is the day to pray for them to make sure they have reached heaven. There should be no room for evil on such holy days,” he stressed.
The website catholiceducation.org has reported increasing cases of diabolical possession worldwide.
It cited Fr. James LeBar, exorcist for the Archdiocese of New York, as having seen a “large explosion” in cases since 1990.
“Ten years ago I had no cases and now I have 300,” LeBar said.
Fr. John Hampsch, a psychologist, has also noted more reports of demonic interference.
He described cases with “unusual things happening –things moving around the house or people claiming to have seen or heard the evil one. Some people suffer the phenomena without actually being possessed.”
“An exorcism is primarily used for people who are possessed by the devil, whose wills have been overtaken by Satan,” Hampsch noted.
“I have seen a dramatic rise in cases. In the past three hours before you phoned me, I have had three cases of people suffering serious contamination with the forces of evil. I am dealing with 10 to 15 cases a week,” he added.
Observe cleanliness
Meanwhile, the environmental group EcoWaste Coalition reminded the public to be environmentally responsible during their visits to cemeteries to observe All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
In a statement, EcoWaste stressed that “the unashamed generation and dumping of garbage in burial grounds is disrespectful to the dead, as well as to the living.”
The group urged the public to observe this 10-point cemetery etiquette or “cemetequette” during their visits in the cemeteries:
“Avoid burning of waste in the cemetery and use lead-free paints and decor in sprucing up the grave of departed ones. Put the discards in recycling bins or bring them home for proper sorting or recycling. Do not throw away cigarette butts, candy wrappers, discarded packaging, fruit peels, etc. on the cemetery grounds,” the group said.
“Avoid cigarette smoking or vaping. Choose clean-burning candles and do not (leave) the plastic receptacles or holders to burn. Never use candles with lead-cored wicks, which could pose poisoning hazard, especially to young children. Offer local fresh flowers, not plastic ones, or consider bringing potted plants and flowers instead. Avoid wrapping floral or plant offerings in plastic. Bring your own water jug to avoid purchasing bottled water,” it added.
EcoWaste also said for waste-free home-prepared meals, people should use reusable carriers, containers and utensils; bring only food and beverage that you can consume to avoid spoilage or wastage; and bring bayong (native bag) or other reusable bags to carry your stuff and purchases, and refuse plastic bags and wrappers from vendors.
The group also urged cemetery administrators to put up a practical system that will help visitors manage their discards.
To augment their limited staff, cemeteries should tap the services of waste pickers and community volunteers who can assist with the enforcement of laws and ordinances on ecological solid waste management, the group said. – With Elizabeth Marcelo