By Georgina Tan
PENANG – A transformative Healing and Deliverance Seminar was held at the Msgr Aloysius Spirituality Centre from Jan 10-12. It was jointly organised by the Penang Diocesan Healing and Deliverance Ministry and the Penang Diocesan New Evangelisation Commission. The event attracted over 100 participants from various regions, including Penang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Perak, Pahang, and Kedah.
The seminar featured two distinguished speakers, Fr Pat Collins, CM, an Irish Vincentian priest with over five decades of service, and Fr Dr Charles Chiew (KB, PA), Head of the Ministry of Exorcism and Deliverance in Keningau, Sabah. Fr Collins, a renowned international speaker, author, teacher, and exorcist, was unfortunately unable to travel to Penang due to unforeseen immigration issues. However, his determination and professionalism shone through as he delivered his sessions virtually, often speaking during the early hours of the morning in Dublin. Despite the challenging time zone difference, Fr Collins captivated the audience with his extensive knowledge on holistic healing, the importance of claiming God’s promises, and how to find freedom from addiction.
Fr Collins, nearly 80 years old, simplified complex concepts from his book Freedom from Evil Spirits: Released from Fear, Addiction & the Devil by relating them to Scripture, psychology, and real-life applications. He emphasised the need to address psychological and physiological issues before discerning spiritual matters, and how spiritual breakthroughs are essential for lasting freedom from addiction.
Fr Dr Charles Chiew pic, a certified psychologist, spoke on the topic of deliverance in the modern world. He made an important distinction between exorcism and deliverance, sharing their historical context and practical applications. Fr Charles engaged the participants with a down-to-earth approach, discussing the role of sacramentals and how to discern between spiritual and psychological disorders. Drawing from his background in martial arts, he also demonstrated physical stances to ensure safety during deliverance sessions, and offered clear guidelines for those involved in the deliverance ministry. Fr Charles’ light-hearted yet informative presentation kept the participants engaged and sparked meaningful discussions.
Throughout the seminar, smaller group discussions provided an opportunity for participants to share personal experiences and insights, fostering a sense of camaraderie and mutual learning. Participants were also encouraged to share their testimonies, which offered a sense of encouragement and solidarity in their spiritual journeys.
The seminar culminated in Mass and Adoration at the Church of St Francis Xavier, participated by around 500 people. Cardinal Sebastian Francis, who celebrated the Mass, reflected on the Church’s transition from the Synod of 2024, focusing on conversion, to the upcoming Jubilee of Hope in 2025, centred on hope. He also shared his insights on healing and deliverance, highlighting the five stages of healing as reflected in the Our Father prayer (Matt 6:9-13).
Following the Mass, Fr Charles led the Healing Service through Adoration of the Holy Eucharist. As he exposed the Holy Eucharist, participants experienced profound moments of healing and spiritual renewal. The event was a deeply moving and spiritual experience, leaving many attendees with a renewed sense of hope and divine presence. – Herald Malaysia
