Philippines: An exorcist priest says Cebu Archdiocese's Divine Mercy Devotion is 'Zero-Sum'

A priest who has been in charge of the Office of Deliverance and Exorcism (ACODE) and who has been a priest for 50 years said that the devotion to Divine Mercy in the Archdiocese of Cebu, Philippines, is in a "Zero-Sum" situation, where it is either growing or diminishing.

He attributes the zero-sum situation to “the work of the devil.”

Monsignor Romulo “Rommel” Kintanar disclosed this in an interview with Radio Veritas Asia at the Divine Mercy de Cebu Shrine in Consolacion town in northern Cebu on March 22, 2024, a few days after his golden sacerdotal anniversary.

Monsignor Kintanar currently serves as the rector of the Divine Mercy de Cebu shrine and the head of ACODE, a group of 14 exorcists appointed by Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma in 2019. He previously served as a seminary formator for a local seminary for 19 years, a spiritual director for charismatic communities, a worldwide marriage encounter for couples and families, and a leader of Marian devotions.

“There was some resistance and rejection of the Divine Mercy devotion in the context of other devotions already existing in diocesan organizations,” Mons. Kintanar said of his efforts to promote the devotion.

“So the more I encounter objections, the more I am challenged to prove that the need of the moment is a deeper realization and appreciation of the mercy of the Lord.”

People frequently refer to the Divine Mercy devotion as the devotion for the end times.

According to Mons. Kintanar, there is now “a hastening towards the end because of modern culture that promotes hate, wealth, leisure, entertainment and anger.”

“On the softer side, there is the attempt of the world to declare that there is no Satan, that there is no devil, and that everything can be explained through science.”

He stressed that “the fight against evil is neither persistent nor strong enough." Monsignor Kintanar, for instance, noted that the devil rarely appears in seminars.

“The work of the devil is not part of daily awareness and is not mentioned in homilies. The fight against the devil's work is not serious and the effort is not persistent.”

“People are unconsciously and unintentionally taken away from God through technology because it builds up on human curiosity and offers pleasure, comfort, and entertainment. “

Asked if the devil's work should be highlighted in the forthcoming 5th Asian Apostolic Congress on Mercy (AACOM), to be held in Cebu on October 14–19, 2024, Monsignor Kintanar replied, “It is difficult to follow Jesus. Why? That question should lead to a discussion of the work of the devil. We must communicate to the people that the devil is present. The devil cannot be underestimated but he cannot be overestimated. This is spiritual warfare.”

Asked for his reflections on his sacerdotal milestone, “My most significant realization is that the core ministry of the priest is proclaiming the love and mercy of the Lord.”

“It is an opportune time for me to say that God has brought me to this devotion and spirituality as if to sum up all my involvement in any capacity with organizations and communities, and on a private level.”

“The beauty and importance of the priesthood and the ministry are always rooted in the beauty and appreciation of the love and mercy of the Lord.”

“Before, I would say the devotion was part of the ministry and the discipline of being a priest. But I feel the greater impact of the mercy of God in my life at this moment,” Monsignor Kintanar stressed. - Malou Guanzon-Apalisok