Exorcism Conference in New Jersey/ Cardinal Ernest Simoni Holds Prayers in Albanian! The Story of Survival in the Communist Regime

Cardinal Ernest Simoni delivered the prayer in Albanian at the "Protecting God's Children" conference organized by John Leaps Evangelization in Newark, New Jersey.

Ernest Simoni was proclaimed Cardinal by Pope Francis in a consistory held on November 19, 2016, and is known for his survival of persecution under the Albanian communist regime. Simoni was imprisoned on December 24, 1963 by the government of the time after celebrating a Mass for the death of US President John Fitzgerald Kennedy. At that time, Simoni was tortured and asked to marry in order to renounce his faith once and for all. 

Despite describing the horrors of Albania's former communist regime and warning against demonic influence, Cardinal Simoni's remarks reflected a deep sense of hope.

He described meeting Pope Saint John Paul II and Saint Teresa of Calcutta when they visited Albania.

"Albania was blessed by John Paul II when he arrived in Albania [in 1993, immediately after the fall of communism ]," the cardinal said.

 " He tried to connect with the Albanian people, and that's the greatest blessing we had [under communism]."

Cardinal Simoni emphasized the centrality of brotherly love in the Christian faith, saying that, as long as conference participants live this brotherhood and keep Christ close, they need not fear demons.

The cardinal said that too often deliverance is thought of exclusively as a way of protection from demonic possession.

Instead, he said believers should understand that they are also for deliverance from conditions like diseases and ailments, which is why he prayed to Saint Michael frequently during the COVID-19 pandemic.

After his speech, the cardinal performed an exorcism of personal belongings for conference attendees. He then prayed in Latin for the liberation of the entire world from all evil and demonic influence.

Cardinal Simoni's hopeful message included a call to action. He told all participants to begin praying the Rosary four times a day for those possessed by demons, those suffering from cancer, and women who have difficulty conceiving.

The Cardinal emphasized that Christ's love is omnipotent.

"Everything we do and everything we are," he said, "we can never forget that we belong to Jesus Christ."

Other speakers at the conference included Father John Szada, Monsignor John Esseff, and Craig Turner.