Zenit: Rome's Exorcist Gives Inside Look at Devil

Zenit has posted a story featuring Society of St. Paul Father Gabriele Amorth, Rome's exorcist for the past 21 years. Father Amorth is the author of several books that were best-sellers in Italy and elsewhere. Here is a short snippet:

Is he real? The first question Father Amorth addressed in the report is if the devil exists: "I respond with the words of John Paul II, who was once asked this question: 'Your Holiness, I find many bishop who don't believe in the devil.' And John Paul II responded: 'One who doesn't believe in the devil doesn't believe in the Gospel.' "The devil is an angel, and therefore, a pure spirit created good by God and who perverted himself because he rebelled against God. Therefore, he maintains all the characteristics proper of a pure spirit, such as a very large intelligence, immensely bigger than ours." The devil is pleased by the way he is generally represented -- with wings and a tail, horns, as a bat, etc. -- because these images make him seem ridiculous and help people to believe that he does not exist, the exorcist reported.

Read the rest of the story here.