By Alexander Folz
Editorial – Tuesday, November 12, 2024, 7:00 a.m.
“When people engage in the occult—things like Ouija boards, tarot cards, or visits to psychics—they invite spiritual influences that do not come from God,” priest and exorcist Dan Reehil explained in Interview mit Shawn Ryan on his YouTube channel “Shawn Ryan Show”.
The video, featuring Reehil from the Diocese of Nashville in the US, was viewed over a million times in just six days. The conversation lasted almost three hours and offered insight into the spiritual struggle and the reality of demonic influences.
Reehil, who was ordained a priest in 2014, described how a pilgrimage to Medjugorje in 1998 radically changed his life. He had worked on Wall Street in New York, but after the attacks of September 11, 2001, he decided to take a new path and entered the seminary in Boston.
In addition to his priestly work, Reehil serves as national director of Radio Maria USA and hosts the show “Battle Ready,” where he covers topics such as faith, exorcism and spiritual warfare. His experience and commitment have made him a sought-after expert in these areas.
In a conversation with former elite soldier and CIA employee Shawn Ryan, who has since returned to the Catholic faith, Reehil spoke about the influence of mortal sins. “The spiritual world is real, and when you open doors you don’t always know what will come through,” he warned urgently.
In the Catholic faith, a mortal sin is a serious sin that completely separates man’s relationship with God when committed consciously and of his own free will. It concerns serious matters and – without repentance and confession – leads to the loss of divine grace. Examples include murder, adultery or blasphemy. Anyone who dies in a state of mortal sin is separated from God and is thus condemned to hell.
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When asked how affected people can find help, Reehil emphasized the importance of confession and returning to God. He advised: “The first step is to turn to God in repentance and prayer. […] Prayers of renunciation and abandonment of these practices are crucial steps.”
Reehil also explained how real obsession is distinguished from psychological or medical problems. Characteristics included supernatural powers, a strong aversion to sacred objects, and knowledge of hidden things. Before each release, we work closely with experts to rule out natural causes.
He particularly highlighted the case of a young woman who experienced severe possession following occult practices: “On my first weekend there, I witnessed a woman manifest herself in a way I had never seen before – she slithered up the ground like a snake and spoke with a dark voice.”
After a long process of prayer, confession and exorcism, she was able to find peace again: “The joy and peace that replaced her torment was a testimony to God’s power and mercy.”
Confession is a sacrament of the Catholic Church in which believers confess their sins to a priest, show remorse and receive forgiveness. It serves to reconcile with God and restore grace.
Reehil is convinced: “I am not afraid because I know that God is in control. If he has called me to this service, then he is my protector. However, one must remain vigilant and spiritually strong. The devil will try to instill fear and doubt in me, but faith and preparation, along with the support of prayer, keep me on track.”
Alexander Folz is a freelancer at CNA Deutsch. Growing up in Saarland at the beginning of 2000, he studied economics at the Leibniz University in Hanover. Alexander Folz deals with Catholic social teaching, the link between Catholicism and business. He is privately involved in a Catholic youth movement and a pro-life campaign.
