Sarah Mitchell
Exorcism is a controversial topic, with popular culture and horror films often depicting it in a negative light. The Catholic Church authorizes the use of exorcism for Christians believed to be victims of demonic possession, and the demand for exorcisms has been increasing. In 2018, the official exorcist for Indianapolis received 1,700 requests, and the number of trained exorcists has increased to meet this demand. While there are no official statistics, it is estimated that the US had fewer than 15 Catholic exorcists in 2011, with that number rising to between 70 and 100 in recent years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Catholic exorcists in the U.S. in 2011 | Fewer than 15 |
| Number of Catholic exorcists in the U.S. in 2018 | 70-100 |
| Number of Catholic exorcists in the U.S. in 2018 (another estimate) | Over 100 |
| Number of exorcists in Mexico City in 2013 | Not specified |
| Number of priests from 50 countries attending the Vatican's exorcism course in 2018 | 250 |
| Number of people seeking exorcisms in Italy every year | Half a million |
| Number of people who believe they are possessed, who actually are | 1 in 5000 |
| Number of requests for exorcism received by the official exorcist for Indianapolis in 2018 | 1,700 |
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What You'll Learn
- In 2018, Poland had 150 exorcists
- The Catholic Church authorises exorcism for demonic possession
- Demonic possession is rare, exorcists were anonymous until the 20th century
- The International Association of Exorcists called the 2018 demand a pastoral emergency
- Gabriele Amorth, the inspiration for The Pope's Exorcist, performed 60,000 exorcisms
In 2018, Poland had 150 exorcists
The high number of exorcists in Poland may be due to several factors. Firstly, Poland has a strong Catholic population, and Catholicism is one of the country's dominant religions. The country also has a conservative movement within the Catholic faith called the "Charismatic Renewal," which is incredibly strong in Poland and has led to a rise in exorcisms.
Another factor contributing to the high number of exorcists in Poland could be the increasing demand for exorcisms globally. In 2018, the International Association of Exorcists described the situation as a "pastoral emergency." This increase in demand may be due to several reasons, such as an increase in people believing they are possessed, a rise in drug abuse and violence, or a trend away from mainstream religions towards the occult.
It is important to note that exorcism is a sensitive and controversial topic. The Catholic Church authorizes exorcism for Christians believed to be victims of demonic possession, but it is considered a sacramental rather than a sacrament. Before performing an exorcism, the Catholic Church requires that the person claiming possession be evaluated by doctors to rule out mental or physical illness, as demonic possession is considered rare and often confused with mental illness.
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The Catholic Church authorises exorcism for demonic possession
The Catholic Church authorises the use of exorcism for Christians believed to be victims of demonic possession. Exorcism is considered a sacramental in Catholicism, unlike sacraments like baptism or confession, whose integrity and efficacy depend on a rigid formula. 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 Church has specific guidelines for exorcism, with the manual of exorcism 'Of Exorcisms and Certain Supplications' (in Latin: 'De Exorcismis et Supplicationibus Quibusdam') issued in 1614. The manual was updated in 1998 and later translated into English in 2017. The Church also offers courses for priests to learn about exorcism, with the Vatican's annual course seeing over 250 priests from 50 countries in attendance.
Exorcism is considered a controversial practice, partly due to its depiction in popular culture and horror films, as well as some cases of abuse linked to exorcisms in various religious sects. According to the Vatican's guidelines from 1999, individuals claiming to be possessed must be evaluated by doctors to rule out any mental or physical illness. This is because demonic possession can be easily confused with mental illness, and genuine cases of possession are considered rare. In most cases, individuals claiming possession are found to have psychiatric issues or have gone off their medication.
Despite this, demand for exorcisms has been increasing. In the US, the number of known exorcists has grown from fewer than 15 in 2011 to over 70-100 today. In Italy, half a million people seek exorcisms annually, and the practice is also rising in the UK. The rise in demand has been attributed to various factors, including the spread of Pentecostal churches, an increase in drug abuse and violence, and the growing popularity of supernatural beliefs.
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Demonic possession is rare, exorcists were anonymous until the 20th century
The Catholic Church authorizes the use of exorcism for Christians believed to be victims of demonic possession. However, demonic possession is considered extremely rare, and exorcists were mostly anonymous until the late 20th century.
The Church's guidelines state that individuals claiming to be possessed must first be evaluated by doctors to rule out mental or physical illness. Most reported cases are not deemed to require exorcism, as they can be attributed to natural causes. In fact, the Church maintains that some individuals may only require spiritual or medical help rather than exorcism, especially if drug abuse or other addictions are involved.
The evaluation process for potential exorcisms can be lengthy and involves medical, psychological, and psychiatric testing. The exorcist must exercise caution and prudence before proceeding with the rite, weighing the available evidence and input from medical professionals. The determination of whether an individual is genuinely possessed is ultimately made by the Church, even if the person claims to be possessed.
The demand for exorcisms has been rising globally since the early 21st century, leading to an increase in the number of trained exorcists. This surge in demand has been attributed to various factors, including a rise in drug abuse and violence, an increase in people believing they are possessed, and a trend away from mainstream religions towards the occult. The rise of celebrity exorcists, particularly those sharing their experiences through media and podcasts, has also contributed to the increased interest in exorcisms.
While the specific number of Catholic exorcists is not readily available, it is worth noting that Poland had 150 exorcists in 2018. Additionally, Gabriele Amorth, who inspired "The Pope's Exorcist," claimed to have performed over 60,000 exorcisms during his ministry. The growing popularity of exorcism and the increasing demand for these rituals have prompted the Vatican to publish new guidelines and train more priests to address demonic possession.
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The International Association of Exorcists called the 2018 demand a pastoral emergency
In 2018, the International Association of Exorcists (IAE) reported a surge in the demand for exorcisms, calling it a "pastoral emergency". The association, which represents more than 200 Catholic, Anglican, and Orthodox priests, attributed the increase in demand to a variety of factors. Firstly, a priest from Sicily claimed that the number of people in Italy claiming to be possessed had tripled to 500,000 per year. This was supported by an Irish priest, who reported an exponential rise in demand for exorcisms in Ireland.
The Christian think tank Theos also noted that exorcisms were becoming increasingly popular in the UK, especially among Pentecostal churches. However, some critics warned that "deliverance ministry" could be a form of spiritual abuse, targeting vulnerable individuals such as LGBT people and those with mental health issues. These critics suggested that these individuals were being targeted due to the belief that their sexuality or psychiatric problems were a result of demonic possession.
The rise in demand for exorcisms has been a growing trend since the early 21st century, leading to an increase in the number of trained exorcists worldwide. This increase in demand has been attributed to various factors, including a rise in drug abuse, violence, and a shift towards occult practices. In response to the growing demand, the Vatican offered a course on exorcism in 2019, which was opened to members of other Christian denominations for the first time.
The IAE has been actively working to address the demand for exorcisms and provide adequate training for priests and lay people. Since 2013, the association has sponsored a week-long training course annually, offering both theoretical and practical instruction in the ministry of exorcism. Additionally, in 2017, the IAE organized a Neo-exorcist Training Course in Rome to cater to the increasing number of exorcists and the greater demand for training.
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Gabriele Amorth, the inspiration for The Pope's Exorcist, performed 60,000 exorcisms
Father Gabriele Amorth was an Italian Catholic priest and, by his account, performed at least 60,000 exorcisms during his ministry, with some sources citing the figure as high as 160,000. Amorth was the exorcist for the Diocese of Rome for 24 years and founded the International Association of Exorcists in 1990, serving as its president until his retirement in 2000. The association has since grown to 400 members worldwide. Amorth's work played a significant role in legitimising the modern practice of exorcism within the Catholic Church, sparking a renewed interest in the ritual.
Amorth's approach to exorcism was characterised by a combination of devout faith and a healthy amount of scepticism. He believed that the need for exorcisms was so great that all Catholic clergy should be permitted to perform them without acquiring express permission from a local church officer, as dictated by Canon Law. However, he also advocated for a thorough medical and psychiatric evaluation of individuals claiming to be possessed before performing an exorcism. Amorth's ministry attracted attention due to his controversial statements, such as his claims that Hitler, Stalin, and paedophilic cults within the Vatican were influenced by the Devil. He also railed against modern popular culture, including ouija boards, yoga, and Harry Potter, believing them to be gateways to the demonic.
Amorth's life and work have inspired several creative works, including the supernatural horror film 'The Pope's Exorcist', starring Russell Crowe, which is loosely based on Amorth's memoirs. The film adds a fictional element of a centuries-old Vatican cover-up. Amorth's story is also told in the 2017 American documentary 'The Devil and Father Amorth', directed by William Friedkin, which features the exorcist at work in an Italian village. Additionally, several biographies and memoirs have been published, including 'The Devil is Afraid of Me: The Life and Work of the World's Most Famous Exorcist' and 'Father Amorth: My Battle Against Satan'.
The number of trained exorcists within the Catholic Church has increased in recent years to meet the growing global demand for exorcisms. This demand has been attributed to various factors, such as an increase in people believing they are possessed, a trend away from mainstream religions towards the occult, and the influence of paranormal themes in pop culture. While the Church views demonic possession as an extremely rare phenomenon, it continues to authorise exorcisms for individuals believed to be victims of demonic possession, with the practice governed by specific guidelines and protocols.
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Frequently asked questions
It is unclear exactly how many Catholic exorcists there are worldwide, but there has been an increase in demand for exorcisms in recent years. In 2018, there were estimated to be between 70 and 100 exorcists in the US, up from fewer than 15 in 2011.
A priest may be appointed to the office of exorcist by the diocesan bishop either on a stable basis or for a particular occasion. The priest being appointed to the ministry of exorcist should possess piety, knowledge, prudence, and integrity of life, and should have prepared for this office. In recent years, several programs have been established to foster the training of exorcists, including a week-long course in Rome that covers the theological, psychological, and anthropological background to exorcisms.
According to the Vatican's guidelines, a person who claims to be possessed must be evaluated by doctors, including mental health professionals, 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 easily confused with mental illness.
