After church warns of “Satanic” items: 30 rosaries surrendered

CEBU, Philippines — Following an incident of a “satanic rosary” reaching Barangay Pardo in Cebu City, local parishioners have surrendered rosary beads deemed as “cursed” because of “satanic” symbolisms prominent on the cross.

Fr. Ric Anthony Reyes of the Order of Saint Augustine told The Freeman at least 30 rosaries have been turned over since September 8.

He said the rosaries have been recited with exorcism prayer and burned.

"We properly disposed cursed occult paraphernalia by burning them. I recited a minor exorcism prayer which has been recommended for priests who were not appointed as official exorcist," Reyes said.

To note, the Cebu archdiocese only has one exorcist, Monsignor Fredrerick Kriekenbech, appointed by the chief bishop.

Among the Augustinian clergy in the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu, Reyes was tasked to collect the cursed items and to dispose them.

"(If) we speak of spiritual warfare... the proliferation of satanic rosaries for some time means it is really serious to Catholics who innocently used cursed religious items," he said.

"There are really satanists who clandestinely do the manufacturing of these rosaries. The cross which has mocked signs of satanism is a potential item of demonic infestation," he added.

Reyes appealed to the Catholic faithful to be cautious of rosaries either given or they themselves bought.

"They can know that these rosaries are not of Catholic origin because of the symbolisms not of Catholic piety," he said.

He said it is best to surrender these items to a priest if they are doubtful of the origin or of the symbolisms on the rosary.

Moreover, he urged Catholics to include in their prayers to implore for protection against all forms of attacks of the devil; he suggested the Prayer to Saint Michael.

He also advised parishioners to receive the Holy Sacraments, especially confession and the Holy Communion, as frequently as they can.

Meanwhile, a priest in the Cebu Archdiocese also reported receiving rosary beads from a concerned individual.

Father Eligio Suico said a man approached him last week and handed over at least 20 “unusual” rosaries that were also disposed of properly.  Suico, chairman of the Cebu Archdiocesan Sub-Commission on Family and Life Apostolate, urged households to continue praying the Holy Rosary with family members doing it together.

He warned adults, nevertheless, to always examine the beads and be wary of those that are given for free or offered at a cheap price. Suico said the rosaries turned over to him were reportedly distributed outdoors.

He said it always pays if parents or guardians have newly-acquired rosary beads blessed or, better yet, be exorcised by priests.

He said the commission has always promoted the devotion to Mother Mary through praying the Holy Rosary. 

The Cebu clergy earlier advised Catholics to surrender "cursed" rosaries to priests or to the parish following reports on its circulation reaching the country. (FREEMAN)