Evil: "Possessed" Teen Stabs 3 Younger Siblings

Shocking:

A troubled Bronx teen allegedly in a zombie-like trance stabbed his two younger brothers and sister yesterday – and was prevented from murdering them by a Good Samaritan, authorities said.

Cops say 17-year-old Nelson Santos lost it at about 3:30 p.m. and attacked his two brothers, ages 13 and 6, and his 9-year-old sister, with a knife in their second-floor apartment in Morrisania.

Police did not give a motive for the stabbing or what type of weapon was used, but the Daily News reports Santos told cops he was "zombie-like" and used a butcher knife.

A police source told the paper the boy said he was seeing demons and neighbors said he practiced black magic. (NBC New York)

This is so sad. Demonic possession is often *confused* with psychological causes, but the fact that this individual was also dabbling in black magic makes him a perfect candidate for real demonic influence. Demonic influence is real and Catholics ought to be careful to avoid things related to black magic and have frequent recourse to the sacraments.

We rarely appreciate how many harmful evil influences are baptism saves us from - now let's double our efforts to resist Satan and all his works through frequent reception of the Eucharist and Confession.

Confessions are often offered on Saturdays. It's my personal opinion that Catholics ought to go to Confession at least once a month, and ideally, every couple weeks, even for venial sins.

Sick: Woman stabbed after refusing abortion

So evil:

A Southbridge teenager is being held on $500,000 bail for allegedly stabbing his pregnant girlfriend several times because she refused to get an abortion.

Police said 18-year-old Alex Santana attacked Leah Diver at about 2:30 a.m. Friday during an argument over the pregnancy.

The 28-year-old Diver is in critical condition at a Worcester hospital. Police say the fetus survived. (Boston Herald)

Sadly the reporter can't bring himself to say: "The baby is still living."

Because, if he said that, it would admit that abortion kills something living.

In fact, the legal "awkwardness" between Roe v. Wade and the reality that unborn children are living human beings is revealed to poignant effect by the story of a mom who "wants her twin fetuses recognized as children."

For a society that is (rightfully) concerned for women's issues, it is amazing that we tolerate a legal system which formally denies that a woman who has unintentionally lost a fetus has suffered the death of her child.

What *not* to learn from the tragic shooting in Pittsburgh

As many of you are probably aware:

A gunman walked into an LA Fitness gym outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, turned off the lights and fired off 50 rounds, killing three women before killing himself Tuesday evening, police said.

The man didn't speak but was carrying a gym bag with a note inside it. He was found dead in the gym lying on top a gun about 7 feet away from a victim, said Charles Moffatt, Allegheny County police superintendent.

At least 10 other people were injured in the barrage of bullets that sent people in the gym ducking for cover, Moffatt said.

A law enforcement source identified the gunman as George Sodini, a 48-year-old gym member. (CNN)

First of all, we ought to pray for the victims, and for Sodini.

Unfortunately, it appears Sodini's online journal contain references to his theology. He said:

"Maybe soon, I will see God and Jesus. At least that is what I was told. Eternal life does NOT depend on works. If it did, we will all be in hell," Sodini apparently wrote, before adding later, "I was reading the Bible and The Integrity of God beginning yesterday, because soon I will see them."

I need not point out that this disturbed individual also has a deeply-flawed theology. And I hope no one takes this tragedy as an opportunity to blame Christianity for this man's evil actions.

If commenters want to point out the real Christian witness in this drama, it is here:

Relatives and friends of those who'd been inside the fitness center eventually were directed to the Bower Hill Volunteer Fire Department on Vanadium Road in Scott to await word on the dead and wounded.

There, they were comforted by crisis counselors and priests from the Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese -- the Revs. Kim Schreck, John Naugle and Joseph Freedy, who were sent to the fire hall by Bishop David Zubik.

Father Freedy had been one of the first to the gym after the shooting, Father Schreck said. Father Freedy, who had been passing by, ministered to panicked club members in the fitness center parking lot and also comforted some of the wounded before contacting the bishop.

Bishop Zubik then dispatched the three priests to the fire hall, and the bishop himself visited the wounded and their families at the three hospitals.

"We're here so we can help, perhaps, some with their spiritual needs," Father Schreck explained.

The priests listened to, counseled and prayed with more than a dozen people inside the fire hall "whether they were traumatized by the incident or here for a loved one," he said.

Asked what he told people in such situations, he said, "Evil is real. For whatever reason, this man acted in a horrible way, and we suffered because of it. Some people blame God, but He is here in us. The Lord is with us in our suffering."

Amen.