Michael Brooks
Exorcism is a prayer that falls in the category of sacramentals, which are sacred signs instituted by the Catholic Church to sanctify different circumstances of life. The Catholic Church defines exorcism as a rite through which 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authoritatively in the name of Jesus Christ that a person or object be protected against the power of the Evil One and withdrawn from his dominion.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's exorcism rituals are performed by priests given special permission. The Church also advises dioceses to establish protocols to respond to inquiries made by the faithful who claim to be demonically afflicted. This includes a thorough examination, including medical, psychological, and psychiatric testing, before referring the person to an exorcist for a final determination regarding demonic possession. While the Catholic Church's exorcism rituals are well-defined, the concept of self-exorcism is more nuanced and may refer to personal prayers for deliverance from evil, as seen in the historical context of the 12th century.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can perform an exorcism? | A solemn exorcism can be performed by an ordained priest or a higher prelate with the permission of the local bishop. |
| Who can request an exorcism? | Catholics or non-Catholics can request an exorcism. |
| How to request an exorcism? | Contact the local parish priest or the St. Michael Center for Spiritual Renewal. |
| What is the process? | The priest will listen to the person's history, provide pastoral guidance, and deliverance prayers. If the priest deems it appropriate, the person is referred to the exorcism team. |
| What is exorcism? | Exorcism is a prayer that falls in the category of sacramentals. It is a cure for those who are unwillingly manipulated by demons, resulting in harm to self or others. |
| What are the signs of demonic possession? | Speaking foreign or ancient languages, supernatural abilities and strength, knowledge of hidden things, aversion to anything holy, and profuse blasphemy. |
| What is the history of exorcism in the Catholic Church? | In the 15th century, Catholic exorcists were both clerical and lay, as every Christian was considered to have the power to exorcise demons in the name of Christ. |
| What are some criticisms of exorcism? | Dr. Richard Gallagher, a psychiatrist, attributes the rise in exorcism requests to an increase in people believing they are possessed when they are not. Exorcism has also been criticised for its association with sensationalism and the media. |
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What You'll Learn
Self-diagnosis of demonic possession
The idea of demonic possession has been a part of human culture for millennia, and while it has declined alongside religious belief in recent centuries, about 40-50% of people still believe in it. Psychiatry often attributes possession experiences to "ritualized trance states" or "dissociation", with partial voluntariness and suggestibility playing a role. However, some psychiatrists and psychoanalysts argue for a more nuanced view, acknowledging that while there is no scientific evidence, there are numerous consistent written accounts of possession.
The Catholic Church authorizes exorcisms for Christians believed to be victims of demonic possession, and the determination of whether an individual is possessed is made by the Church, even if the person self-diagnoses possession. The Church's guidelines state that individuals claiming possession must first be evaluated by doctors to rule out mental or physical illness, as genuine demonic possession is considered extremely rare and often confused with mental illness.
Demands for exorcisms have been rising, and some priests have been designated as "stable exorcists" to combat demonic activity. Symptoms that may indicate demonic possession include:
- Knowledge of events or people that the person couldn't possibly know
- Aversion to holy objects or places
- Self-harm and violent or aggressive behaviour
- Unexplained ailments or conditions
- Hallucinations or hearing voices
- Abrupt changes in behaviour or personality
- Sudden spiritual dryness
- Expelling objects or animals through the mouth
While some individuals may self-diagnose demonic possession, it is important to approach this with caution and seek professional help to rule out any medical or mental health issues that may be the underlying cause.
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The role of the Church in determining possession
The Catholic Church plays a pivotal role in determining possession and exorcism. Exorcism is a prayer that falls under the category of "sacramentals" or sacred signs, differing from the seven sacraments instituted by Christ. The 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's role is crucial, as it has the authority to determine whether an individual is genuinely possessed by evil spirits or demons. This determination is made even in cases where individuals self-diagnose or claim possession through psychosis. The Church's decision is based on specific guidelines and rituals outlined in texts like the Rituale Romanum and the manual of exorcism, "De Exorcismis et Supplicationibus Quibusdam."
The Catholic Church has a detailed process for addressing suspected possession. Individuals seeking exorcism or believing themselves to be possessed are instructed to contact their local parish priest or the diocesan chancery for assistance. The priest listens to the person's history, provides guidance, and delivers prayers. If the priest deems it necessary, the individual is referred to the exorcism team of the Archdiocese.
The Catholic Church takes a cautious approach to exorcism, ensuring that other possible explanations for the individual's behaviour are ruled out. This includes evaluating the person for mental or physical illness, as genuine demonic possession is considered rare and often confused with mental health issues. The Church's exorcism rituals are designed to protect the possessed individual and those present, sometimes involving restraining the subject to prevent self-harm or harm to others.
While the Catholic Church has specific guidelines and rituals for exorcism, it also recognises the importance of individual faith in the process. The efficacy of exorcism depends on both the authorisation of valid Church authorities and the faith of the exorcist performing the ritual. This dual dependence on authority and faith underscores the Church's role in determining possession and guiding the exorcism process within the Catholic faith.
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Exorcism as a cure, not punishment
Exorcism is a prayer that falls in the category of sacramentals, which are sacred signs instituted by the Church to sanctify different circumstances of life. It is a ministry of charity, and the Catholic Church views it as a cure rather than a punishment. This is because people considered to be possessed are not regarded as evil in themselves, nor are they wholly responsible for their actions. Instead, possession is seen as the unwilling manipulation of an individual by a demon, resulting in harm to self or others.
The Catholic Church enters a relationship with the victims of spiritual possession, akin to the Shamanistic Complex. The victim, as per Nancy Scheper Hughes, represents the 'individual body', i.e., the victim's personal belief system as a Christian, which assists in the healing process. The belief that there is a demon within their body and that through the power of Christ, the demon can be removed, creates a diagnosis and cure for this illness. Exorcism is also believed to work on people experiencing symptoms of possession by way of the placebo effect and the power of suggestion.
The Catholic Church has strict guidelines for performing exorcisms. Firstly, a solemn or "major exorcism" can only be performed by a bishop or priest with the express permission of the local bishop or ordinary. Secondly, a careful medical, psychological, and psychiatric examination must be conducted to exclude the possibility of mental illness, personality disorders, or any other physical illness. Only after this thorough examination may the person be referred to the exorcism team for a final determination regarding demonic possession.
The exorcism team will then assess the situation and determine the next steps, which may include restraining the person to prevent harm to themselves or others. The priest will then pray and command the demons to retreat, reciting prayers such as the Lord's Prayer, Hail Mary, and the Athanasian Creed. They may also use a cross and holy water, following the procedures listed in the Roman Ritual of Exorcism.
It is important to note that the Church itself makes the determination of demonic possession, taking into account the input of medical and mental health professionals. This is to ensure that individuals are not caught up in a sensationalist mentality and to address genuine cases of possession in a balanced manner with utmost care for the afflicted person.
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Exorcism as a placebo effect
Exorcism is an ancient practice that involves evicting demons, jinns, or other malevolent spiritual entities from a person or place believed to be possessed. In Christianity, this practice involves casting out demons in the name of Jesus Christ. The Catholic Church authorizes the use of exorcism for Christians believed to be victims of demonic possession. The Church's guidelines state that individuals claiming to be possessed must first be evaluated by doctors to rule out mental or physical illness, as demonic possession is considered extremely rare and often confused with mental illness.
The efficacy of exorcism depends on two elements: authorization from valid Church authorities and the faith of the exorcist. The practice of exorcism is categorized as a sacramental or blessing, and the determination of whether an individual requires a "major exorcism" is made by the Church, even if the person self-diagnoses demonic possession. The exorcism ritual may involve reciting prayers, performing gestures, or commanding the entity to depart in the name of a higher power.
The success of exorcisms has been attributed to the power of suggestion and the placebo effect. Placebo controls, or "trick trials," have a long history in exorcism controversies, dating back to the 16th century. For example, during the Wars of Religion, a family claimed that their daughter was possessed by demons, and priests performed repeated exorcisms. However, when secretly given genuine holy water, the girl showed no effect, but reacted with contortions of pain when given ordinary water presented as holy water.
The potential for a placebo effect in exorcisms highlights the importance of ruling out other explanations for apparent demonic possession. Exorcists are trained to be skeptics, and the Church aims to ensure that individuals receive the appropriate medical or mental health assistance rather than exacerbating potential harm through mislabeling. The distinction between demonic possession and mental illness is crucial, and the Church's evaluation process aims to prevent mistaken diagnoses and provide the necessary support.
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The history of exorcism in the Catholic Church
Exorcism in the Catholic Church is a sacramental—a sacred sign instituted by the Church "to sanctify different circumstances of life". It is not a sacrament, unlike baptism or confession, and its "integrity and efficacy do not depend [...] on the rigid use of an unchanging formula or on the ordered sequence of prescribed actions". 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".
In the early Middle Ages, Christians could perform self-exorcisms by calling on a saint as an intercessor, visiting a shrine, and appealing for aid from a sacred entity to get closer to God and further from evil. In the 12th century, exorcism underwent a significant transition due to the rise of heretical sects of Christianity, such as the Cathars, who promoted a dualistic contest between good and evil. This presented a newfound benefit of exorcism for the Catholic Church as an essential mechanism to combat heresy.
The first exorcism book was published around 1400 AD, followed by decades, if not centuries, of crisis for the Catholic Church due to the Protestant Reformation. The first official rite of exorcism was sanctioned by the Catholic Church in 1614 with the Rituale Romanum, which included De Exorcismis et Supplicationibus Quibusdam, or Of Exorcisms and Certain Supplications. This remained largely unchanged until the Second Vatican Council reforms of 1962-1965.
In the 1960s, the Catholic Church tried to downplay demonic possession, but its views have since changed. In 1973, the film "The Exorcist" sparked a renewed interest in exorcism and led to a shift in the Church's attitude, with church authorities allowing an exorcism to be televised in 1991. The Vatican's guidelines, issued in 1999, emphasise the importance of ruling out mental or physical illness before considering exorcism, as demonic possession is considered rare and often confused with mental illness. The Rite of Exorcism was revised in January 1999, and the English translation of De Exorcismis et Supplicationibus Quibusdam was approved by the Latin Church Bishops in November 2014.
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Frequently asked questions
Self-exorcism refers to the act of attempting to perform an exorcism on oneself. Exorcism is a prayer that falls in the category of sacramentals, which are sacred signs instituted by the Church to sanctify different circumstances of life.
No, self-exorcism is not possible for Catholics or any other religion. Exorcisms in the Catholic Church can only be performed by ordained priests or higher prelates with the express permission of the local bishop.
According to the Roman Ritual, indicators of possible demonic possession include:
- Speaking foreign or ancient languages that the person couldn't have known.
- Supernatural abilities and strength.
- Knowledge of hidden or remote things that the person couldn't have known.
- Aversion to holy objects or places, such as holy water or churches.
- Profuse blasphemy and/or sacrilege.
To request an exorcism in the Catholic Church, individuals should first contact their local parish priest or the St. Michael Center for Spiritual Renewal. After an initial assessment, the person may be referred to the exorcism team of the Archdiocese for further evaluation and determination of appropriate next steps.
