Grace Thompson
Exorcism is a practice authorized by the Catholic Church to be performed on Christians believed to be victims of demonic possession. The Catholic Church considers exorcism a sacramental but not a sacrament, unlike baptism or confession. The demand for exorcisms has been rising globally since 2018, with the International Association of Exorcists describing the situation as a pastoral emergency. While the Catholic Church has strict rules and regulations surrounding exorcisms, it is not clear if every diocese has an exorcist. However, it is advisable for every diocese to establish a protocol to respond to inquiries from those who believe they are demonically afflicted.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can perform an exorcism? | A bishop or a priest with the special and express permission of the local ordinary or diocesan bishop |
| Who appoints the priest to the office of exorcist? | The diocesan bishop |
| Who is the exorcist in his diocese? | The bishop |
| Who can be referred to an exorcist? | A person who has undergone a thorough examination, including medical, psychological, and psychiatric testing |
| Who can be liable to perform an exorcism? | Every priest, especially a parish priest or pastor |
| Who regulates exorcism? | The Catholic Church |
| Who can authorise the use of exorcism? | Valid and licit Church authorities |
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What You'll Learn
Exorcists must be ordained by a bishop
Exorcism in the Catholic Church is authorised for Christians believed to be victims of demonic possession. The Church considers exorcism a sacramental, but not a sacrament, as its "integrity and efficacy do not depend [...] on the rigid use of an unchanging formula or on the ordered sequence of prescribed actions". Instead, its efficacy depends on two elements: authorisation from valid and licit Church authorities and the faith of the exorcist.
The exorcist must be a priest ordained by a bishop, who can delegate authority to one or more of his priests, either on an individual basis or by appointing a "go-to guy" for exorcisms in the diocese. The exorcist should work closely with, and under the direction of, the bishop. The priest being appointed to the ministry of exorcist should possess piety, knowledge, prudence, and integrity of life. The bishop is responsible for the final say on whether or not an exorcism will be performed.
The Rite of Major Exorcism is to be celebrated only by a bishop or a priest who has obtained the special and express permission of the diocesan bishop. The exorcist should be vested in a surplice and violet stole. The exorcist then prays and commands the demons to retreat, reciting certain prayers such as the Lord's Prayer, Hail Mary, and the Athanasian Creed. They also use a cross and holy water and follow procedures listed in the Roman Ritual of exorcism.
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Exorcists must possess piety, knowledge, prudence, and integrity
The Catholic Church authorizes the use of exorcism to rid Christians of demonic possession. In Catholic practice, the person performing the exorcism, known as an exorcist, must be an ordained priest. The exorcist recites prayers according to the rubrics of the rite and makes use of religious materials such as icons, sacramentals (e.g. holy water), and holy relics. The exorcist invokes God—specifically the Name of Jesus Christ—as well as the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, saints of the Church Triumphant, and the Archangel Michael to intervene with the exorcism.
The priest being appointed to the ministry of exorcist should possess piety, knowledge, prudence, and integrity of life. The Introduction to Exorcisms and Related Supplications further directs that the priest "has been specifically prepared for this office". Classically, the exorcist has trained for this specialized ministry through an apprenticeship model, working under the direction of an experienced exorcist. Additionally, in recent years, several programs have been established to foster the training of exorcists. A solid theological and spiritual foundation is essential when preparing to minister as an exorcist. Bearing in mind the qualities already mentioned in the preceding question, the candidate must also maintain a balanced approach to this particular ministry, possess a spirituality that is grounded in the sacramental life of the Church, and be able to keep his curiosity in check.
In a Roman Catholic context, exorcist may refer to a cleric who has been ordained into the minor order of exorcist, or a priest who has been mandated to perform the rite of solemn exorcism. Since at least the third century, the Latin Church has formally ordained men to the minor order of exorcist. In 1972, the minor orders were reformed; men preparing to be ordained as Catholic priests or deacons would no longer receive the minor order of exorcist. It was left open to the Catholic bishops of individual countries to petition the Vatican to establish a ministry of exorcist if it seemed useful in that nation.
In the Church of England, every diocese has an exorcist. The Church views demonic possession as the devil's primary means of enslaving humanity and rebelling against God. Orthodox Christians believe objects, as well as individuals, can be possessed. As in other Christian churches, Orthodox exorcists expel demons by invoking God through the name of Jesus Christ. Unlike the Roman Catholic Church, all priests of the Orthodox Church are trained and equipped to perform exorcisms, particularly for the sacrament of baptism.
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Exorcisms can take months or years to work
Exorcisms can be lengthy processes, sometimes taking months or years to complete. The duration of an exorcism depends on a variety of factors, including the severity of the alleged possession, the experience of the exorcist, and the specific rituals and prayers used.
In the Catholic Church, exorcisms are authorised for Christians believed to be victims of demonic possession. The Church considers exorcism a sacramental, and its efficacy is thought to depend on two elements: authorisation from valid Church authorities and the faith of the exorcist. The exorcism rituals are governed by the Vatican document "De Exorcismis et Supplicationibus Quibusdam".
Before an exorcism is performed, the Catholic Church requires a thorough evaluation of the individual claiming possession. This includes medical, psychological, and psychiatric testing to rule out any mental or physical illness. In most cases, reported possession is not attributed to demonic influence but rather to mental illness or other spiritual or medical issues.
The exorcism process itself involves restraining the possessed individual to prevent self-harm or harm to others. The exorcist then recites specific prayers, such as the Lord's Prayer, Hail Mary, and the Athanasian Creed, while commanding the demons to retreat. Seasoned exorcists may deviate from the prescribed formula, using the Rituale Romanum as a starting point.
The length of an exorcism can vary significantly. Some exorcisms are performed over a few days, while others may extend for months or even years. For example, Anneliese Michel, a woman from Germany, underwent a ten-month-long exorcism over a period of ten months. In another case, Emma Schmidt (a pseudonym for Anna Ecklund) underwent a 14-day exorcism in 1928.
The duration of an exorcism may depend on several factors. The severity and complexity of the alleged possession can influence the time needed for the ritual. Additionally, the experience and skill of the exorcist can play a role, as seasoned exorcists may be more effective and efficient in their practices.
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Exorcisms are a sacramental but not a sacrament
Exorcisms are authorized by the Catholic Church for Christians believed to be victims of demonic possession. Exorcisms are considered a sacramental—a preparation for the grace of the Sacrament—but not a sacrament. This means that, unlike sacraments such as baptism or confession, the integrity and efficacy of exorcisms do not depend on the rigid use of a formula or a sequence of prescribed actions. Instead, their efficacy depends on two elements: authorization from valid and licit Church authorities and the faith of the exorcist.
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.
The Rite of Major Exorcism, which involves the expulsion of demons or the liberation of a person from demonic possession, can only be performed by a bishop or a priest with the special and express permission of the local ordinary or diocesan bishop. The Vatican document De Exorcismis et Supplicationibus Quibusdam governs the official practice of exorcism. The Roman Ritual of Exorcism, revised by the Vatican in 1999, lists the procedures to be followed during an exorcism. These include restraining the person to prevent them from harming themselves or others, reciting certain prayers such as the Lord's Prayer, the Hail Mary, and the Athanasian Creed, and using a cross and holy water.
Exorcisms are considered a ministry of charity by the Church, which offers help to those who reach out. The Church also emphasizes the importance of spiritual practices and a strong foundation in the Catholic faith to protect against evil influences.
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Exorcisms are not always performed by priests
In the Catholic Church, exorcisms are usually performed by priests. The Church authorises the use of exorcism for Christians believed to be victims of demonic possession. The solemn or "major exorcism" can only be performed by a bishop or priest with the special and express permission of the local ordinary or diocesan bishop. A priest may be appointed to the office of exorcist on a stable basis or for a particular occasion.
However, in the 15th century, Catholic exorcists were both priestly and lay, as every Christian was considered to have the power to command and drive out demons in the name of Christ. All are encouraged to participate in deprecatory "exorcism", ordained or not, authorised or not, when necessary, but always in the name of Jesus and the Church.
The prayers in Appendix II, "Supplications which May be Used by the Faithful Privately in Their Struggle against the Powers of Darkness", may be offered by any member of the clergy or by the lay faithful. A minor exorcism of place, such as exorcizing a home, may be prayed by any priest with faculties to minister within the Archdiocese.
The Catholic Church's view is that trained priests and medical professionals can work together to help a patient and determine if the patient is suffering from an illness or not. 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".
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Frequently asked questions
It is advisable for every diocese to establish a protocol to respond to inquiries made by those who claim to be demonically afflicted. A priest may be appointed to the office of exorcist by the diocesan bishop on a stable basis or for a particular occasion.
The person subjected to the exorcism may be restrained so that they do not harm themselves or anyone else present. The exorcist then prays and commands the demons to retreat. The Catholic priest recites certain prayers, such as the Lord's Prayer, Hail Mary, and the Athanasian Creed, and uses a cross and holy water.
According to the Vatican's guidelines, "the person who claims to be possessed must be evaluated by doctors to rule out a mental or physical illness". Most reported cases are not seen as requiring an exorcism because demonic possession is considered an extremely rare phenomenon that is often confused with mental illness.
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