The Theoden Bishop's Scandal: Time to Exorcise

Rod Dreher in The American Conservative wrote about how the demon inhabiting the Catholic episcopate has now been revealed and will continue to be revealed. He likens this to the second stage of an exorcism. The first stage was when the demon denied being present. Well, with the McCarrick scandal, the Pennsylvania Grand Jury report, the Vigano letter, and various sordid revelations including that now six states are conducting investigations, the light is definitely exposing. Thanks be to God and Our Lady.

I am reminded of the need for fasting and prayer, penance and giving. This is a time for purity and sacrifice. Catholics  must pray and work to expose this evil committed by leadership covering for predator priests, promoting sexually immoral bishops, and actively working against church doctrines, undermining the Church they are called to protect.

As I was doing chores this morning, thinking about all that has come to light and thinking about Dreher's article, I had an image of the Theoden scene from Lord of the Rings when Gandalf exorcises the evil of Saruman from him and frees him. Here we have a King, a leader, an authority entrusted with ruling, who has lost his way and is under the sway of the evil one, actively working against all that is good. Gandalf as a type of prophet, saint, power of the Holy Spirit/Angelic hosts attacks that evil in Theoden and frees him. How evil when Theoden at first mocks Gandalf and laughs at him, stating that Gandalf has no power. Gandalf throws off his grey robes and reveals his new white robes and new power. This reminds me of holiness, prayer, fasting, giving and penance. Perhaps the devil has been hiding, working in the shadows. Now that he is exposed as hiding in the hierarchy he sits there and laughs knowing how complacent the laity and priests have been. Will we the Church increase our prayer, fasting and penances to do battle in the heavenlies to have the evil working in the episcopate exposed, broken, and expelled? I hope so. Watch the LOTR scene and read Dreher's article. What do you think about their connection? Perhaps the name of Theoden is a poetic/prophetic message. Theo-den. Den of theology. The Magisterium.