While many people believe tarot cards, horoscopes, Ouija boards, palm reading and energy crystals are just innocent fun, Matthew D’Adamo knows they can have dire spiritual consequences.
A few years ago, the 28-year-old parishioner of the Church of the Annunciation in Rosedale was caught up in the occult – chasing ghosts and reading New Age literature. After he was almost killed twice on the highway while hunting ghosts, Mr. D’Adamo turned to a priest for help.
“I knew I had to stop messing around with that stuff,” said Mr. D’Adamo. “I wanted to get out and I felt so safe talking to the priest. I felt a protection around me. I was home.”
Mr. D’Adamo, who has since attended Catholic seminars about the New Age movement and has studied the phenomenon extensively, will give a free talk on the dangers of the New Age movement beginning at 7 p.m. on Aug. 3 at the Church of the Annunciation.
Mr. D’Adamo said he is concerned that New Age principles are entering the mainstream and leading people away from the Catholic faith. He cited a book promoted by Oprah Winfrey, titled “A New Earth” by Echart Tolle. Mr. D’Adamo said that the popular volume presents an alluring spirituality and philosophy that is at odds with Christianity.
“The common denominator in these kinds of books is the idea that we are our own gods and we can decide what’s right and what’s wrong,” said Mr. D’Adamo. “They present the idea that they will free you from the suppressing laws of Christianity.”
In his talk, Mr. D’Adamo will outline the history of the New Age movement and how its world view differs from Christianity. He will explore how Satanism, freemasonry and the occult are at the core of New Age teachings.
Mr. D’Adamo will also discuss the Catholic Church’s position on the New Age and steps people can take to protect themselves from the movement.
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “all forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to ‘unveil’ the future.”
For those who are involved in the New Age movement, Mr. D’Adamo recommended talking to a priest and receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Call (410) 814-9156 for more information
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