Ethan Walker
Exorcisms performed by the Catholic Church are likely the most well-known, but it is not clear if all possessed individuals are Catholic. Exorcisms are a frequent fascination for the film industry, and it can be hard to separate fact from fiction. However, the idea of purging evil has roots that straddle the line between AD and BC. The Catholic Church has the most formal, rigorous, and long-standing tradition of exorcism, and it views demonic possession as the devil's primary means of enslaving humanity and rebelling against God. The Church's exorcism rituals are directed at the expulsion of demons or the liberation of a person from demonic possession. The determination of whether an individual is genuinely possessed is made by the Church, and the actual exorcism can only be performed by a bishop or priest with special permission.
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What You'll Learn
The Catholic Church's authorisation of exorcisms
The Catholic Church authorises the use of exorcism for Christians believed to be victims of demonic possession. Exorcism is a prayer that falls under the category of "sacramentals", or sacred signs, that sanctify different circumstances of life. It is not a sacrament like baptism or confession, as its integrity and efficacy depend on the faith of the exorcist and the authorisation of valid Church authorities.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines exorcism as:
> "When the Church asks publicly and authoritatively in the name of Jesus Christ that a person or object be protected against the power of the Evil One and withdrawn from his dominion, it is called exorcism."
The Church's guidelines for exorcisms were first issued in 1614, with the manual of exorcism 'Of Exorcisms and Certain Supplications' (Latin: De Exorcismis et Supplicationibus Quibusdam). The Rite of Exorcism was revised in January 1999, and the traditional Rite of Exorcism in Ecclesiastical Latin remains an option. The Latin Church Bishops of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops approved the English translation of the manual in November 2014. The final text of Exorcisms and Related Supplications (ERS) was confirmed by the Holy See in December 2016 and implemented in the dioceses of the United States in June 2017.
The Vatican's guidelines, issued in 1999, state that:
> "The person who claims to be possessed must be evaluated by doctors to rule out a mental or physical illness."
This is because demonic possession can be easily confused with mental illness. The determination of whether an individual is genuinely possessed is made by the Church, and exorcisms can only be performed with the express permission of the local bishop. The appointed exorcist must first ascertain that the symptoms are not caused by mental illness or other natural causes and are, in fact, signs of possession. This is done through interviews, examinations, and diagnostic prayers. If the exorcist concludes that the individual is possessed, they seek permission from the bishop to perform the Rite of Major Exorcism, with an assisting priest and other laypersons present.
The exorcist then commands the demons to leave, reciting prayers such as the Lord's Prayer, Hail Mary, and the Athanasian Creed, and using a cross and holy water. The possessed person may be restrained to prevent them from harming themselves or others. According to some, after the exorcism, the person feels a sense of release from guilt and is reborn, freed from sin.
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Indicators of demonic possession
Possession is considered to be the unwilling manipulation by a demon resulting in harm to self or others. The Catholic Church authorises the use of exorcism for Christians believed to be victims of demonic possession. Exorcism is a sacramental but not a sacrament, and its efficacy depends on two elements: authorisation from valid and licit Church authorities and the faith of the exorcist. The person performing the exorcism, or exorcist, must be an ordained priest.
- Speaking foreign or ancient languages that the possessed has no prior knowledge of
- Supernatural abilities and strength
- Knowledge of hidden or remote things that the possessed has no way of knowing
- Aversion to anything holy
- Profuse blasphemy and/or sacrilege
- Foaming at the mouth, growling, and snarling
- A change in complexion, becoming darker
- Eyes turning green and pupils becoming slanted like a serpent
- Speaking with a deep and authoritative voice
The Vatican's guidelines state that the person claiming to be possessed must be evaluated by doctors to rule out mental or physical illness. Twentieth-century Catholic officials regarded genuine demonic possession as an extremely rare phenomenon that is easily confused with mental illness.
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The exorcism ritual
> "When the Church asks publicly and authoritatively in the name of Jesus Christ that a person or object be protected against the power of the Evil One and withdrawn from his dominion."
Indicators of demonic possession, as listed in the Roman Ritual (Rituale Romanum), include speaking foreign or ancient languages without prior knowledge, supernatural abilities and strength, knowledge of hidden things, aversion to anything holy, and profuse blasphemy. According to Vatican guidelines, individuals claiming possession must be evaluated by doctors to rule out mental or physical illness, as genuine possession is considered rare and often confused with mental illness.
The Ritual, a 2025 film, dramatizes the 1928 exorcism of Emma Schmidt, offering a glimpse into the exorcism ritual's performance and its intense, draining nature.
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Exorcism as a cure
Exorcism is a religious or spiritual practice of evicting demons, jinns, or other malevolent spiritual entities from a person or place believed to be possessed. It is performed by an exorcist, who is a member of a Christian Church or an individual thought to be graced with special powers or skills. The exorcist may use prayers, holy water, and other religious materials, such as icons and sacramentals, to cast out or get rid of demons. In the Catholic Church, exorcism is a sacramental but not a sacrament, unlike baptism or confession. Its efficacy depends on two elements: authorization from valid and licit Church authorities and the faith of the exorcist.
The Catholic Church has a formal, rigorous, and long-standing tradition of exorcism, and it is likely the most well-known for performing them. The Church sees the influence of demons and their leader, the devil, as existing on a spectrum, with demonic oppression on one end and demonic possession on the other. Demonic oppression is when a demon pressures a person to accept evil, while demonic possession is when a demon takes control of a person's body. The Catholic rite for a formal exorcism, called a "Major Exorcism", is given in Section 11 of the Rituale Romanum, which lists guidelines for conducting an exorcism and determining when a formal exorcism is required. According to the Vatican's guidelines issued in 1999, "the person who claims to be possessed must be evaluated by doctors to rule out a mental or physical illness".
Exorcism is considered a cure for demonic possession, which is viewed as an illness that is socially mediated and reflective of the social climate in which it is produced. Possession is considered to be the unwilling manipulation by a demon resulting in harm to self or others, and therefore, practitioners regard exorcism as a cure rather than a punishment. The ritual of exorcism typically involves the exorcist sprinkling holy water on the possessed person, making the sign of the cross, and reciting prayers. The exorcist may also address the demon or demons, establishing ground rules they must abide by, such as revealing themselves when called and leaving when dismissed.
The demand for exorcisms has been rising globally, with a sharp increase in the United States in recent years. This rise has been attributed to various factors, including a resurgence in magic, divination, witchcraft, and attempts to communicate with the dead, as well as an increase in people believing they are possessed when they are not. However, it is important to note that most reported cases are not seen as requiring an exorcism, as twentieth-century Catholic officials regarded genuine demonic possession as an extremely rare phenomenon that is easily confused with mental illness.
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The exorcism industry
The history of exorcisms in the Catholic Church dates back to the first three centuries A.D., when exorcisms were used to unite the Christian faithful and strengthen their beliefs in the face of religious persecution. By the 4th century A.D., exorcisms became common in pre-baptismal contexts, with aspiring Christians undergoing daily exorcisms before baptism. During this time, Christians could also perform self-exorcisms by calling on saints, visiting shrines, and appealing for aid from sacred entities to distance themselves from evil.
In the 12th century, exorcism underwent a significant transition due to the rise of heretical sects of Christianity, such as the Cathars, which challenged Catholic doctrine. For the orthodox Catholic faithful and leadership, exorcism became an essential mechanism to combat this heresy and reinforce their beliefs.
Today, the demand for exorcisms is rising globally, with the International Association of Exorcists declaring it a "pastoral emergency" in 2018. The Catholic Church is responding by training more priests to perform exorcisms in countries like Spain and Italy. However, the issue of payment for exorcisms is controversial, with some priests refusing payment to avoid appearing like con artists.
The practice of exorcism has also evolved with technology, as modern exorcists like Carlos Oliveira perform exorcisms remotely via phone, Skype, or the internet. While some traditionalists argue that exorcisms cannot be conducted virtually, others embrace the idea, believing that their connection to Jesus Christ enables them to drive away evil through any form of communication.
Despite the fascination and intrigue surrounding exorcisms, it is important to approach the topic with caution. Most reported cases of demonic possession are not considered to require an exorcism, as twentieth-century Catholic officials view genuine demonic possession as an extremely rare phenomenon that can be confused with mental illness. Thus, the Catholic Church emphasises the need for thorough medical, psychological, and psychiatric evaluations before referring a person for exorcism.
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Frequently asked questions
Exorcism is a ritual that involves expelling demons or evil spirits from a person, place, or object. It is performed by a priest or exorcist, who recites prayers, uses religious materials, and invokes God and Jesus Christ.
A major exorcism, also known as solemn exorcism, is performed only in cases of genuine demonic possession, where the devil has control over a person's body. It can only be conducted by a bishop or priest with special permission. Minor exorcisms, on the other hand, are prayers used to break the influence of evil and sin in a person's life, often during preparations for baptism.
The Catholic Church takes a cautious approach and performs thorough examinations, including medical, psychological, and psychiatric evaluations, before determining if a person is genuinely possessed. Indicators of possible demonic possession include speaking unknown languages, displaying supernatural abilities, knowledge of hidden things, aversion to holy objects, and profuse blasphemy.
In the Catholic Church, only ordained priests or higher prelates with the express permission of the local bishop can perform solemn exorcisms. The priest appointed as an exorcist should possess piety, knowledge, prudence, and integrity. They are typically trained through apprenticeships under experienced exorcists or specialised programs.
No, people who are considered possessed are not regarded as evil themselves. Possession is believed to be the involuntary manipulation by a demon, resulting in harm to oneself or others. Exorcism is seen as a cure rather than a punishment, and practitioners take care to ensure the ritual is conducted without violence towards the possessed individual.
