Loads and loads of questions

[Hope]

I've been researching vamps for a while, I have many many questions hoping you can answer them

1) Sean Manchester is a Christian, he hunts the vamps down and protects himself with Christian things, claiming vamps are Satan himself. What's the place of White Witchcraft in this picture? Can't wiccans be vamp hunters?
2) is it a great risk to be a vamp hunter?
3) how sure are we the whole Highgate thing is real?

BB
Hope

[Vampirologist]

Seán Manchester protects himself with the full armour of God (Ephesians 6: 11). He does not believe that vampires are "Satan himself," but rather that they belong to that legion of demons led by Satan which rebelled against God at the time of the Fall.

It is difficult to say what place witchcraft has "in this picture," as modern witchcraft (or wicca) can be almost anything the practitioner wants it to be. It is a pic 'n' mix belief system. And isn't the term "white witchcraft" an oxymoron in itself?

Examining wiccans' own descriptions of their beliefs, it comes closer to Hinduism than anything else when compared to the major world faiths. Hindus certainly believe in the existence of demons, but probably do not define them as would a Christian, Jew or Muslim. Only an individual witch would know how he/she defines a demon. If you have five witches in the same room, you might end up with five different beliefs on demons.

It is an immense risk to be a practical vampirologist, or, as you describe it, a "vampire hunter." It is not something that anyone untrained in exorcism should embark upon.

You cannot, of course, be sure that the "Highgate thing" is real. You cannot be sure that many natural things are real either. So how much less real is supernatural phenomena to those who have not experienced it?

Some of the immensely fascinating and, from a research point of view, still rewarding investigations embarked upon by the Vampire Research Society have not necessarily always yielded evidence of vampire infestation. Two examples would be the Tarrant Valley case and the Brocket haunting of Lady Caroline Lamb. The latter can be read about in the book Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know. Others do, of course, unearth true vampirism and, where in the public interest, the VRS will take every precaution necessary to deal with this; publishing its findings prior to closure. The Kirklees case is a perfect example of this. More often is it, however, that files, or an entire case, be published only when satisfactorily concluded. Difficulties arise when permission for pending investigations is granted subject to certain conditions. These could prevent disclosures in the public domain; though the case will remain on file. The VRS works within the law of the land, but, of course, it is not impossible to envisage circumstances where personal safety, or recourse to a higher law, might sometimes prevail. The VRS would nevertheless stress that this has only very seldom occurred.

So what, you might ask, qualifies Seán Manchester to have authority in this dangerous field? Although he would probably argue that it is a vocation of faith coupled with practical experience, he is not without the necessary training that comes only with time and study.

Seán Manchester's appointments include:

Minor Orders: Ostiarate, Lectorate, Exorcistate, Acolytate, 1970-88.

Superior General: Ordo Sancti Graal, 13 April 1973.

Chairman: British Grail Society, 8 August 1988.

Chairman: Society of St George, 23 April 1990.

Diaconate: (Ecclesia Vetusta Catholica) 25 June 1990.

Priesthood: (Ecclesia Vetusta Catholica) 15 July 1990.

Episcopate: (Ecclesia Vetusta Catholica) 4 October 1991.

See of Glastonbury: (Ecclesia Vetusta Catholica) 1 July 1993.

Presiding Bishop: British Old Catholic Church, 1 January 2000.

Founder: Sarcedotal Society of the Precious Blood, 1 July 2002.

[Vampirologist]

"I've been researching vamps for a while, I have many many questions hoping you can answer them[?]" - Hope

Well, so far, all we've had are three questions.

Maybe this thread should have been named "just a couple or so questions" instead of "loads and loads of questions"?

[billbo54520]

I, too, have questions. I'm new to this organization, so you'll please pardon my ignorance.
I'm an ordained Lutheran minister seeking answers to counseling cutist activities. I'm looking for educational resources in general, but am certainly open to suggestions.
My belief is that the Bible acknowledges evil spirits, demon possession, witchcraft, necromancers, and a whole host of other minions of Satan.
It is not inconcievable to me that there may possibly be such things as vampires, not in the claasical sense of the undead dressed in an evening cape, proclaiming that they "Vant to zuck youre blood", but rather that this being is another type of evil spirit that the church denies the existance of.
Other than buying books, how can a poor minister such as myself, who does not have much in the way of finances, get educated on this subject?

[Vampirologist]

The Anglican, Catholic and Orthdox Churches have some provision for priests called to the exorcism ministry, and in such cases these jurisdictions will assist with the necessary training. The Lutheran Church should provide some means of educating its ministers. If it does not, and I am not a Lutheran you must remember, it is difficult to know what an impoverished pastor under its authority would do other than turn elsewhere for help.

[Vampirologist]

As confirmed by the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod ...

"The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod certainly believes in the existence of Satan and of demonic beings, and individual LCMS pastors have participated from time to time in rites of exorcism. The LCMS has no 'official position' on 'demonic possession,' however, nor does it subscribe officially to any formal rite of exorcism or have 'special clergy assigned to this task'."

Thus a dilemma arises when they are confronted with the adjuration found in Mark 16: 17, ie

"Believers will drive out demons in My name."

[billbo54520]

After some research of my own, I did find out that there have been Lutheran ministers who have in fact performed exorcisms using the Roman Rite. Also, Luther himself ascribed to exorcism as part of the Baptism. So I guess I've answered one of my own questions.
But I sincerely thank everyone for your intelligent inputs.
Now all I have to do is decide where my ministry takes me, led by the Holy Spirit, in terms of demonic oppression and such subjects as vampires.
One thing is certain, however. Now that I've been told that the vampire emulaters, or vampiroids are another cult, and real vampires are demonic in nature, I'll have to get The Vampire Hunter's Handbook for sure.
The best offense is an educated defense, and knowing your enemy intimately sounds like the order of the day.
Thanks again, and may God bless you all.

[billbo54520]

I have been having trouble getting onto the Gothic Press site, or even the Vampire Research site. Are there any problems?

[Vampirologist]

Martin Luther, of course, right until the last day of his life, never ceased to think of himself as a member of the Catholic Church.

All Gothic Press webpages are temporarily offline. Normal service will hopefully be resumed soon. Details as to why this has occurred will be provided to those who request them by email.

Email enquiries: [e-mail]

[billbo54520]

Thank you very much. I really appreciate your insights, and I wonder if you can help me with one other thing;
Do you know of any online courses that you might recommend for me to take regarding this subject?

[Vampirologist]

Online courses for demonology are to be approached with caution, assuming they even exist. The subject requires rather more than a set of instructions.

Regarding the temporary absence of the VRS website, the following webpage remains active with links to books on the subject of vampires; in particular the Highgate Vampire. There is also a link to Guardians Against Satanic Pollution (GASP) that contains traditional exorcism rituals.

www.holygrail-church.fsnet.co.uk/The%20Right%20Reverend%20Sean%20Manchester.htm

[Vampirologist]

The Vampire Research Society was founded exactly thirty-four years ago today, on Candlemas Day 1970.

I am pleased to announce that, by way of celebration, our website is back in action. It can be visited at the following link:

www.gothicpress.freeserve.co.uk/Vampire%20Research%20Society.htm

[billbo54520]

This is great news! Of course, the moment I read the post, I visited the site and was taken back by the gruesome photos. Yeech! I had no idea.
On another subject, I downladed Montague Summers' works on the vampire and also the werewolf, which I will read shortly.
As far as the vampiroids, they really should read the Highgate case and see the pictures, and maybe they'll drop the whole idea.

[Vampirologist]

To vampiroids and their fellow travellers I would just say that an entrance demons use is through our negative emotions. Negative emotions are first the result of the person's wrong thinking patterns. If the negative emotions and thoughts are allowed to fester for a long period of time and demon can gain a "foothold" in the mind. The demon then gains influence begins to magnify the wrong thinking with more intense and hateful thoughts. If the person does not correct that intense negative thinking pattern but encourages the thoughts, the demon can gain more control of the mind by permanently entering the mind.

[Seeker]

Hello, I am a new member here. I have come to ask what one should do if he thinks he has in fact encountered a vampire? I am christian, not a confirmed Catholic, but I have been saved and babtized. I feel embarrased to go to the Catholic church and ask for help when I myself am not confirmed. Advice?