Priests Waging War Against the Demonic

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DETROIT (ChurchMilitant.com) - Three Catholic priests are leading the charge to drive America's demons into the pit of Hell.

Fathers Bill Peckman, James Altman and Richard Heilman have announced a battle plan spanning 40 days to pray, fast and exercise in order to cast out demonic influences from our nation and ourselves. The initiative began July 7 and will conclude Aug. 15, the Feast of the Assumption.

They've invited all to join this spiritual, military operation called "Let Freedom Ring: 40 Days to Freedom From the Devil," which states: "Through acts of reparation, fasting, penance, charity and prayer (both personal and sacramental), we call upon the power of God to release ourselves, our families, our parishes, our dioceses and our nation from all demonic influence and oppression."

Peckman is pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul in Boonville, Missouri; Altman the pastor of St. James the Less in La Crosse, Wisconsin; and Heilman is pastor of St. Mary of Pine Bluff in Cross Plains, Wisconsin. Heilman is also co-host of the popular United States Grace Force podcasts with Doug Barry.

All three believe in spiritual warfare against demonic infestation, which they believe is plaguing this country.

The 40-days regimen includes special prayers, works of mercy and of acts of reparation. Daily Rosary, regular exercise, fasting from sweets, as well as performing various meditations are incorporated into the battle plan. The three priests provide a reflection for each day, as well as a specific litany and prayer of exorcism.

Three levels of battle are offered for laity — white, red and blue. Participation may vary depending on one's state in life and for other personal reasons. "Age, health and the COVID-19 pandemic are current factors," according to their website. The black level, however, is reserved only for clergy and is tailored specifically for those living ordained priesthood.

Peckman invited his parishioners to participate. "Just think what our parishioners could be and become if we marshaled our forces and took the 40 days between July 7 and Aug. 15 to pray for deliverance and a fullness of God's blessings," he remarked. "This is a national movement of which I am a part of in order to [do] more than complain about the state we find ourselves in, but to use the grace of God to make a real and lasting change."

This is not the first initiative led by Heilman. He's headed up other prayer and fasting initiatives and is very active in social media. He often gins up the troops in Christ's army on earth to battle against the world, the flesh and the devil. He's also the author of six books, including Church Militant Field Manual.

He especially calls men to "special forces training for the life of Christ," which is a constant theme of his. Heilman, furthermore, is a guest host on Relevant Radio's The Inner Life, and also leads, along with Cdl. Burke, the Catholic men's movement, "The Holy League."

Many believe this 40-day campaign against the demonic cannot come at a more opportune time. As Church Militant reported last week, seasoned exorcist Msgr. Stephen Rossetti of the diocese of Syracuse is convinced that the United States is now greatly influenced by the spiritual world of darkness.

"If one were to assess our country as a whole right now, there are strong signs of our country being demonically oppressed," Rossetti observes.

He notes that discord, unrest and acting out violently are all signs of this oppression. He observes: "A rising level of unhappiness, hopelessness and suicides are also typical demonic signs ... Suicide rates have been rising in the USA for several years."

Rossetti notes that looting and statue destruction, covered extensively by media, are also signs.

"Outbursts of rage, anger and violence often accompany demonic activity," he observes. "Satan and his minions think of themselves as victims and this mentality is increasingly pervasive in the USA."

Americans have been opening doors to the demonic for decades now, according to Rossetti. He mentions sins against the First, Fifth and Sixth Commandments as some of these major openings:

There is a significant drop in the practice of the Faith, thus losing a critical graced protection. Moreover, many more people are practicing witchcraft, Wicca, Ouija boards and other occult practices, which open the door to the demonic. … Also, there are almost a million abortions each year in the USA, which we have found to be a huge demonic door. And there are other sinful behaviors on the rise, such as internet pornography, drug and sexual addictions and more. Sin gives evil increasing access to our lives.

Rossetti has a very simple solution for Americans battling the demonic: "Stop sinning. Stop practicing the occult. Start practicing the Faith." He knows that only with grace, and our cooperation with it, can the United States get back on track to sanity and peace.

For the next 40 days, Peckman, Altman and Heilman have provided a way to get the ball rolling.

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