Michael Brooks
Exorcism is a practice authorized by the Catholic Church for Christians believed to be victims of demonic possession. The official practice is governed by the Vatican document De Exorcismis et Supplicationibus Quibusdam. The demand for exorcisms has increased in the 21st century, and the number of trained exorcists has risen in response. The International Association of Exorcists, founded in 1994, has around 900 members from 58 countries. A survey of 120 Italian exorcists found that they were overwhelmed by a growing number of possessed people. There are 290 exorcists in Italy, according to the study.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of official Catholic exorcists in the US | Over 150 |
| Number of official Catholic exorcists in Italy | 290 |
| Number of members of the International Association of Exorcists | 900 |
| Number of countries with members in the International Association of Exorcists | 58 |
| Year the International Association of Exorcists was founded | 1994 |
| Year the Vatican offered a course on exorcism to members of other Christian denominations | 2019 |
| Percentage of cases referred to exorcists that are possession | 2% |
| Year the Vatican issued guidelines for exorcisms | 1999 |
| Year the manual of exorcism "Of Exorcisms and Certain Supplications" was issued | 1614 |
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What You'll Learn
The International Association of Exorcists
The AIE provides training and support to its members, who are all priests authorized by their bishops to perform exorcisms. The organization is composed mostly of Catholic priests, but also includes some Anglican and Orthodox priests. Membership is restricted and exclusive; by the year 2000, there were over 200 members, and this number has since grown to around 900 members from 58 countries. These members meet bi-annually in Rome and receive a quarterly newsletter where they can share interesting or challenging cases.
To become an exorcist priest, one must have the permission of their bishop to join the AIE. Within the Roman Catholic Church, a priest may only perform an exorcism with the express consent of his bishop or local ordinary. Furthermore, the Vatican's guidelines state that the person believed to be possessed must first be evaluated by doctors and psychiatrists to rule out any mental or physical illness, as demonic possession is considered extremely rare. Only then, and to the extent necessary, may a priest, who is expected to be devout, knowledgeable, prudent, and respected for his integrity, perform an exorcism.
The official practice of exorcism is governed by the Vatican document "De Exorcismis et Supplicationibus Quibusdam." The Vatican also offers a course on exorcism, which was opened to members of other Christian denominations in 2019.
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Exorcists' mental health concerns
While the exact number of official Catholic exorcists is not publicly available, it is estimated that there are around 900 members of the International Association of Exorcists (AIE), a Roman Catholic organization that provides training and support to exorcists worldwide. Founded in 1994, the AIE had over 200 members by the year 2000, indicating a growing number of official exorcists.
Exorcists, like anyone exposed to traumatic or stressful situations, can experience mental health challenges. The nature of their work, which involves dealing with demonic possession and spiritual conflict, can take a toll on their psychological well-being.
One of the primary concerns for exorcists is distinguishing between genuine demonic possession and mental illness. The Vatican's guidelines emphasize the importance of medical and psychological evaluations to rule out any mental or physical illnesses before proceeding with an exorcism. Exorcists often collaborate with psychological experts to make this distinction, but it can still be a challenging and ambiguous process.
The pressure and demands of their work can also lead to burnout and feelings of being overworked and unsupported. A survey of 120 Italian exorcists revealed that they felt overwhelmed by the growing number of "possessed" people seeking their help, with some handling 30 to 50 cases per day. This heavy caseload can result in frustration and exhaustion, especially when dealing with complex or prolonged exorcisms.
Additionally, exorcists may experience secondary trauma or compassion fatigue from regularly encountering individuals undergoing distressing spiritual or mental health crises. They may also face unique challenges, such as dealing with violent or aggressive behaviour during exorcisms, which can impact their sense of safety and well-being.
To address these concerns, exorcists can benefit from adequate support systems, including collaboration with mental health professionals and access to supervision or peer support groups. Self-care practices and resilience training can also help exorcists manage the mental health aspects of their demanding and often-misunderstood work.
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Demonic possession vs mental illness
The International Association of Exorcists (AIE), a Roman Catholic organization, has around 900 members from 58 countries. The AIE provides training and support to exorcists and helps raise awareness of demonic possession issues. However, the Catholic Church considers demonic possession to be extremely rare and easily confused with mental illness.
Demonic possession and mental illness have been the subject of much debate and discussion, with some arguing for a differential diagnosis between culturally adaptive and maladaptive forms of possession. The concept of demonic possession is deeply rooted in theology, culture, and history, with varying interpretations of scripture and traditions of demonology. On the other hand, mental illness is a medical condition that can be treated with therapy, medication, and other interventions.
One perspective on differentiating demonic possession from mental illness is the attraction versus aversion to religion. Demons, according to this view, want nothing to do with Christ, while individuals with mental illness may be devoutly religious. Additionally, demons are believed to speak and act rationally, in contrast to individuals with untreated mental illness who may exhibit irrational speech and behavior.
Another factor is the effect of therapy and prayer. If an individual's problem is solved through prayer, it is unlikely due to mental illness. Conversely, if medication or therapy alleviates the issue, it is probably not demon possession. Furthermore, individuals with mental illness may exhibit a range of symptoms, such as hallucinations, delusions, or disordered thinking, which are not typically associated with demonic possession.
It is important to approach the discussion of demonic possession and mental illness with cultural and theological sensitivity. Emphasizing medical understandings of mental illness without considering cultural and theological beliefs may alienate individuals and hinder their engagement in treatment. Similarly, relying solely on theological explanations may lead to a failure to diagnose and treat potentially manageable medical conditions. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of both medical and cultural perspectives is necessary for effective clinical and pastoral practice.
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The Vatican's exorcism guidelines
According to the Vatican's guidelines, a person who claims to be possessed must be evaluated by doctors to rule out mental or physical illness. This is because Catholic officials regard genuine demonic possession as an extremely rare phenomenon that is often confused with mental illness. The guidelines also warn against confusing possession with mental illness. Signs of demonic possession, according to the guidelines, include "speaking in unknown languages, discerning distant or hidden things, and displaying a physical strength that is at odds with the possessed person's age or state of health".
The official practice of exorcism is governed by the Vatican document De Exorcismis et Supplicationibus Quibusdam. Exorcists use a cross and holy water and follow procedures listed in the Roman Ritual of Exorcism, revised by the Vatican in 1999. Seasoned exorcists may use the Rituale Romanum as a starting point, but they are not required to follow the prescribed formula exactly. The Catholic priest recites certain prayers, including the Lord's Prayer, Hail Mary, and the Athanasian Creed.
The Vatican offers a course on exorcism, which was opened to members of other Christian denominations in 2019. The course encourages pastors to use the insights of psychology to discern alleged cases of possession.
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Exorcism in popular culture
The concept of exorcism has long been a source of fascination in popular culture, with its ancient origins and presence across various cultures and religions. In Christianity, exorcism is the practice of evicting demons or other malevolent spirits from a person or place believed to be possessed. The Catholic Church authorizes exorcisms for Christians believed to be victims of demonic possession, and the practice is governed by the Vatican document "De Exorcismis et Supplicationibus Quibusdam".
The popular entertainment industry, particularly Hollywood, has played a significant role in shaping societal perceptions and interest in exorcism. The Exorcist, a 1973 horror film, is widely regarded as the defining movie in this sub-genre. Its influence is such that the mere mention of 'exorcist' evokes a connection to the film. Since then, exorcism-themed movies have become increasingly popular, with at least one Hollywood exorcism film released annually for a decade. Examples include "Deliver Us from Evil," "The Conjuring," and "The Last Exorcism: Part 2." These films often follow a familiar formula: a person exhibits signs of possession, leading to a declaration of demonic influence, skepticism from some characters, and eventually the arrival of a priest who performs the exorcism.
Beyond film, exorcism has also been explored in literature. The Rite: The Making of a Modern Exorcist, a book by journalist Matt Baglio, inspired the 2011 film "The Rite." Additionally, psychiatrist Dr. Richard E. Gallagher wrote a book titled "Demonic Foes, A Psychiatrist Investigates Demonic Possession in the Modern United States," published in 2020.
The popularity of exorcism in popular culture has had a tangible impact on religious practices. Since the early 1970s, cinematic and literary depictions of demonic possession have fueled demands for exorcisms within certain sectors of American society. This has created markets that are satisfied by religious entrepreneurs in various denominations, including neo-Pentecostalism, Protestant evangelicalism, and Roman Catholicism.
Exorcism-themed entertainment reflects societal fears and anxieties. Dr. Tim Snelson, a lecturer in media history, suggests that exorcism films can be interpreted as metaphors for puberty, with the possessed individual's body and behavior undergoing drastic changes that are beyond their control or understanding. Additionally, these films tap into parental concerns about outside influences, such as second-wave feminism, counterculture, and the internet, corrupting or leading their children astray.
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Frequently asked questions
The International Association of Exorcists, a Roman Catholic organization, has around 900 members from 58 countries.
A study by the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum, a Vatican-approved university in Rome, found that there are 290 exorcists in Italy.
About 10 years ago, there were 10-15 formally appointed and trained exorcists in the US. Now, there are over 150.
The Catholic Church authorizes the use of exorcism for Christians believed to be victims of demonic possession. A priest may only perform an exorcism with the express consent of his bishop or local ordinary. The Vatican also offers courses to train exorcists.
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