Exorcism: Encyclopedia II - Exorcism - Exorcism in Christianity

Exorcism - Exorcism in Christianity

Exorcism - Roman Catholicism

Solemn exorcisms, according to the Canon Law of the church, can only be exercised by an ordained priest (or higher prelate), with the express permission of the local bishop, and only after a careful medical examination to exclude the possibility of mental illness. The Catholic Encyclopedia (1908) enjoined: "Superstition ought not to be confounded with religion, however much their history may be interwoven, nor magic, however white it may be, with a legitimate religious rite." Signs considered to indicate demonic possession may include: speaking foreign or ancient languages of which the possessed has no prior knowledge; supernatural abilities and strength; blasphemy; and great aversion to God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the saints, and sacred objects.

The Catholic Church revised and renewed the Rite of Exorcism in January 2000. The act of exorcism is considered to be an incredibly dangerous spiritual task; the ritual assumes that possessed persons retain their free will, though the demon may hold control over their body, and involves prayers, blessings, and invocations with the use of the document Of Exorcisms and Certain Supplications. Other formulas may have been used in the past, such as the Benedictine Vade retro satana.

"Exorcist" was at one time one of the minor orders of the Church, but that order was abolished by the reforms following the Second Vatican Council. However, the granting of that order is distinct from the practice of dioceses formally appointing a priest as "Exorcist".

Popular interest in exorcism boomed after release of the horror movie movie The Exorcist in 1973. The Catholic diocese of Chicago was inundated with so many requests for exorcism that it had to add exorcists to its existing staff. The importance of the rite was reaffirmed by Pope John Paul II (who is reputed to have performed three exorcisms himself during his pontificate). As a result, a number of dioceses have officialy designated an Exorcist priest; e.g. Gabriele Amorth is the chief exorcist of the Diocese of Rome. In September 2005, Pope Benedict XVI spoke at the convention of Italian exorcists and encouraged them to "carry on their important work." [1] [2]

Exorcism - Protestant denominations

Some Protestant denominations also recognize possession and exorcism, although the practice is generally less formalized than it is in the Catholic Church. While some denominations perform exorcism very sparingly and cautiously, some may perform it almost routinely, as part of regular religious services. Some denominations hold that all Christians have the authority to perform exorcism, not just the clergy.

A test which is often used to determine whether a mental disturbance is psychological or spiritual in nature is to pray over the person for the healing of their affliction. If the person reacts violently or uncharacteristically in response to prayer in the name of Jesus, it is often taken as a good indication that the affliction is demonic in nature.

Psychiatrist M. Scott Peck, a strong Christian believer, researched Protestant exorcisms (initially in an effort to disprove demonic possession), and conducted two himself. He concluded that the Christian concept of possession was a genuine phenomenon. He derived diagnostic criteria substantially different from those used by the Roman Catholic Church. He also claimed to see differences in exorcism procedures and progression, and conjectured whether Protestant and Catholic exorcisms may be distinct phenomena.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Exorcism in Christianity", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki