Msgr. Gary Secor (HCH file photo)
By Celia K. Downes
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Hundreds of people filled Sacred Heart Church in Honolulu on May 14 to hear Father John Szada, an internationally recognized exorcist from the Diocese of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, discuss his ministry and answer questions from the crowd.
A day earlier, Father Szada gave an equally compelling presentation to the Diocese of Honolulu’s clergy at St. Stephen Diocesan Center in Kaneohe.
Father Szada’s appearances in Hawaii, the result of a collaboration between the Diocese of Honolulu and Hawaiian Islands Ministries, gave both clergy and laypeople more insight into exorcism and its importance in the Catholic Church.
They also represented the church’s increasing openness over the past decade about the topic, once considered extreme and radical.
Pope Francis helped raise exorcism’s profile, with the Vatican finalizing and approving a document, “Exorcisms and Related Supplications,” in 2016. The text was implemented in U.S. dioceses a year later.
The Diocese of Honolulu has two exorcists, both appointed by Bishop Larry Silva to address growing concerns about the “widespread influence of evil in our society,” according to Msgr. Gary Secor, the diocese’s vicar general and one of its exorcists.
Msgr. Secor was appointed about 10 years ago by Bishop Silva. In early 2024, Father Sebastian Soosai, pastor of St. Elizabeth Church in Aiea, was called to be an exorcist for the diocese.
Msgr. Secor gave examples of the evil in society, “much of which our culture has accepted as normal — abortion, illicit sexual activity, suicide, war, mistreatment of the disadvantaged, etc.”
He added that some people also look to “occult behavior” for solutions, not realizing it can open the door to evil.
“I have received quite a number of inquiries and requests from priests and individuals” to assess cases for demonic influence, Msgr. Secor said, “and that is partly why Bishop (Silva) recently appointed Father Soosai as exorcist alongside me.”
Father Sebastian Soosai (Courtesy photo)
Father Soosai said that while he never imagined he would take on such a role, he is “very humble and prayerful in what I am undertaking.”
He recalled an encounter about 10 years ago that he connected to his acceptance of this “challenging” role: A retired exorcist priest gave Father Soosai the cross and St. Michael statue he used in his ministry, telling Father Soosai, “These will be useful for you one day.”
Father Soosai is nearing the end of a two-year course in exorcism at the Pope Leo XIII Institute in Chicago; Msgr. Secor has attended several national training workshops.
As exorcists, Msgr. Secor explained, they can provide advice to clergy and other ministers regarding cases in which demonic influence might be involved. Occasionally, they will be contacted directly by individuals seeking guidance and help.
“In the training we have received, we learn to look for signs of demonic infestation, oppression, obsession and possession,” he said.
“Our training also emphasizes the importance of consultation and partnering with psychological professionals, since these afflictions may be only psychological,” he added. “Often, though, there is a spiritual component, and very often it is a combination of a spiritual and psychological issue that is causing the (concerning) behavior.”
Father Soosai noted that individuals should first consult their local parish, and that pastors should encourage the faithful to reach out to them before contacting the diocese’s exorcists.
In this “doorway deliverance,” Father Soosai said, “(the) local priest/pastor can interact with the affected person, as every priest has the power of healing through their priesthood.”
So far, the cases they have encountered have been minor, relating to psychological concerns or witchcraft and not necessarily to demonic possession. But Msgr. Secor is mindful that there might be cases in which a major exorcism is required.
“The reality is that I do not function as if I have a magic wand that can immediately fix someone,” he said. “It often takes much prayer and cooperation on the part of the one being helped.
“However, I rely on the power and grace of God since I know it is not me but the Lord who is doing the work.”
