Election time brings increase in "paranormal" experiences
Manila (AsiaNews/MH) The current campaign period for the May 10th election can be a cause of anxiety and unrest for some people, who can turn to the office in the Office of Extraordinary Visions and Phenomena of the Archdiocese of Manila for help if they are confused or frightened by such things as black magic, evil spirits, or strange voices, explained the 37-year old office director Father Jose Vidamor Yu. The office in the arch diocesan's major seminary notes an increase in fortune telling during election times, and difficult economic and political conditions can cause people to see and hear things despite their normal good judgment, explained Father Yu.
People can also ask at the office about a variety of paranormal experiences, from how to deal with alleged visions and other phenomena involving the Blessed Virgin Mary, to how to think about the existence of 'dwende'- small magical beings in Filipino folklore who, though usually helpful and friendly, are said to cause sickness and even death if they are offended.
In the last eight months since Fr. Jose has taken leadership in the office, there have been no claims of seeing the Blessed Mother, or reports of possession. But less sensational concerns have been a focus. People who are hungry and desperate can find explanations and solutions for their problems in visions, black magic, cults and messianic movements, the priest indicated. He attributes most of the confusion to a lack of basic training in the catechism of the Catholic Church. Most of his lay co-workers spend their time giving lectures to parish groups about Church teaching on spirits, magic fortune telling and voices from beyond the grave.
The archdiocese has no official exorcist. Should a case of possession arise in the future, Father Yu said his office would look for an exorcist priest who had lengthy experience, "great sensitivity to the movements of spirits, and holiness of life." Such matters involve in-depth investigation into a person's physical, psychological, religious and family background.
If a person approaches the office after an extraordinary experience, a team made-up of himself, a theologian, a pathologist, a psychologist and a canon lawyer would investigate. "It is very thorough," Father Yu stated.
Father Yu is vice rector of Lorenzo Mission Institute, which prepares clergy for ministry among Chinese people. He received his doctorate in Missiology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, where he took courses on cults, magic and other religions.
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14/04/2005
