Remembering Father Andrew Calder

Father Andrew Calder, one of the world’s most respected priests in the fields of demonology and exorcisms, was called home at 2:20 pm on 20 September 2012.  He will be missed.

I had the honor of meeting Andy at GhoStock 7, in Salem, Massachusetts.

At the time, I was working with a radio show and — during a break — checked outside the hotel broadcast room to see if guests were waiting to be interviewed.  As I stepped through the door, Father Calder was right there.  He’d be the next guest on the show.

The first thing that impressed me about Andy was the clarity in his gaze.  He looked right into me, but I didn’t feel uncomfortable.  There was a sense of quiet assurance in Andy’s demeanor.  It wasn’t intrusive.

The next thing I noticed was how close he stood to me, and — later — he stood equally close to others when he spoke to them.  He didn’t back off from people.  He was there to make a personal, perhaps spiritual, connection.  His voice was generally very low, which kept me right next to him, if only so I could hear what he was saying.  However, there was also a sense of protection there.  (I don’t usually like people “too close” to me at events.  My sense of space, especially when I’m preparing for an investigation, is important to me.)

After that, I remember being amazed by how lyrical his speaking voice was.  He chose his words carefully and spoke thoughtfully, but as he spoke, the cadence and pitch were almost melodic.

Throughout that weekend, I learned so much from Andy.  His GhoStock 7 presentations were profound and heartfelt.  He wasn’t a showman at all.  He spoke sincerely and with commitment.  He was there because he cared about other people, not because he wanted to be on stage.

Because of Andy’s sincerity and the clarity of what he said, I knew that — if anything — he was understating the dangers of demonic activity.  Whether people believed in demons or not, they knew he was talking about real phenomena and dangers in paranormal research.

Here’s a video in which Andy talked about the risks of working with Ouija boards.

Something I learned from Father Andy was to listen to my “gut feeling”… that “still, small voice” that warns me when something’s not right.  As a result, I’m more careful with my decisions in this field, and I’m more cautious about those I’m working with.  I’ve learned that it’s more important to remain safe, and be sure my fellow researchers are, than to worry about seeming “rude” or even unfriendly.

Every time I saw Andy after that, I was impressed that his deep understanding of spirituality kept him very much in the world, but not of it.  He seemed like an angel among us… a very special spirit, here to do only good.

The following is what I posted at Facebook, after hearing of Andy’s death:

Father Andrew Calder has been called home, after many years of serving others here on Earth.

It was an honor to have known him, and to have learned so much from him.

His demeanor was quiet and unassuming, but he set an example of dedication and selflessness that will be remembered.

His legacy will affect this field permanently, and Andy’s name will be included with those who’ve made a profound difference. He improved the lives of more people than he may have realized, during his time among us.

He will be missed, but we also know that he can rest now. He did what was asked… and then went the extra mile.