By Dr. Peter Rosario
CATHOLIC HEALTHCARE
The importance of spirituality in medical care became evident in study after study. Over 20 years ago, I attended a conference that stressed persons participating in a daily routine of prayer or meditation maintained improved physical and emotional health.
It came as little surprise that education in medical schools began to emphasize the spiritual component of the patient’s social history. However, society during this time began to demonstrate a decline in religiosity. The “nones” – those individuals who indicated none when asked about a religious affiliation – steadily increased in number. As a result, a spiritual history was difficult to interpret by those medical professionals who, themselves, had little experience in spiritual matters.
Current statistics point to an increase in mental-health problems, especially depression and suicidality. Many reasons are theorized for this unfortunate phenomenon. But one consideration, given little attention, is the decline in religiosity. Is a correlation possible between numeric gains in mental-health problems and losses of religious fervor?
For example, it has long been thought that lower suicide rates among Catholics have been due in large part to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. There is little reason to doubt that physical and mental well-being are enhanced by prayer and frequent reception of the sacraments.
That is why it is troubling to note that recent polls show weekly Mass attendance to be at about 17 percent among Catholics. The advantage afforded by Confession to troubled persons may be disappearing.
As God becomes less important in society, might the spiritual void left be filled with the demonic? And how might that be demonstrated? Is there a correlation with recent mental-health trends?
Actions of the devil are either ordinary or extraordinary.
Everyone will experience ordinary demonic influences through temptations, deceptions, lies and other potential sins. Fortunately, the Church offers the sacraments, and encourages prayers and living a virtuous life as responses to these influences.
Extraordinary actions of the devil vary from demonic possession as the most severe to less-serious manifestations .
Possession by one or more demons is an internal infiltration into the body and mind, but not the soul, of individuals. Allowance of demonic forces to enter individuals occurs by their actions and free will.
Entry is gained through “portals.” These might include visits to fortunetellers; use of a Ouija board; participation in Satanic rituals or the occult; and pornography.
Fortunately, actual demonic possession is very rare. However, spiritual afflictions caused by demonic forces can be confused with mental illness. Thus, a medical evaluation is most important to differentiate a psychological illness, requiring medical intervention, from actual demonic possession, addressed by the Church through exorcism (see Catechism of the Catholic Church 1673).
These are complicated issues. My purpose in writing this article is not to align spiritual afflictions caused by demonic influences with mental-health problems. On the other hand, the rise in mental-health issues seems to follow a decline in religiosity.
This underscores the importance of growing and maintaining a spiritual life to keep in balance those times when the devil tries to throw us off balance. The Lord has blessed us with the sacraments, especially Holy Eucharist and Reconciliation. Frequenting these sacraments are prescriptions for better health, physically and spiritually.