exorcism in the catholic church

I'm just curious because I know that apparently it's rather rare that the church will allow one. By the way, this isn't for me or anyone I know. I was watching "A Haunting" on the Discovery channel the other day and it got me thinking.

The belief in Roman Catholicism is that unlike Baptism or Confession, Exorcism is one ritual that isn't a sacrament. Unlike a sacrament, exorcism's "integrity and efficacy do not depend ... on the rigid use of an unchanging formula or on the ordered sequence of prescribed actions. Its efficacy depends on two elements: authorization from valid and licit Church authorities, and the faith of the exorcist."[6] That being said, Catholic Exorcism is still one of the most rigid and organized of all existing exorcism rituals. Solemn exorcisms, according to the Canon law of the church, can be exercised only 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." Things listed in the Roman Ritual as being indicators of possible demonic possession include: speaking foreign or ancient languages of which the possessed has no prior knowledge; supernatural abilities and strength; knowledge of hidden or remote things which the possessed has no way of knowing, an aversion to anything holy, profuse blasphemy, or sacrilege.

The Catholic Church revised the Rite of Exorcism in January 1999, although the traditional Rite of Exorcism in Latin is allowed as an option. 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 physical 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. In the modern era, the Catholic Church authorizes exorcism rarely, approaching would-be cases with the presumption that mental or physical illness is in play. In mild cases the Chaplet of Saint Michael should be used.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exorcism#Ro man_Catholicism

It's not easy to find the criteria for a Catholic Exorcism. I guess that's just how difficult it is to get one. I Googled it and this was the best I could come up with.

http://www.trosch.org/chu/exorcism.htm I saw this one at the top, but she sounds a little screwy to me.

2008-08-26 16:18:00 by

The lead exorcist for the Catholic Church discusses his profession and wild experiences with the possesed.

Is there a secret war going on or spiritual war which the Catholic church are heavily involved in?

Well, whether or not exorcisms are increasing, it is certain that exorcism performed *by* the Roman Catholic Church in the U.S. is decreasing. Remember: LOTS of religions other than Roman Catholicism perform exorcisms, including most other sects of Christianity and very many non-Christian sects as well. I myself have witnessed several attempted Christian exorcisms that were not Roman Catholic, but have never known personally of any Roman Catholic exorcism.

I find it interesting that the Roman Catholic priest who performed the exorcism made famous in the movie "The Exorcist" wrote before he died that, of all the exorcisms that he had performed, only that one was an actual case of demonic possession. Don't make the mistake of thinking that exorcisms are only attempted where demonic possession has been established. Exorcisms are attempted in *hopes* that demonic possession is the problem - because exorcism is usually a much simpler and less costly process than the treatment required for cases in which demonic possession is not the problem.

Jim, http://www.bibleselector.com/r_kjv.html

2009-04-06 13:29:03 by Al

Price: $41.00 $40.86

I'm doing a research paper on the catholic practice of exorcism and i was just curious to see what people's opinions are! Do you think it is right/wrong? effective/ineffective? should be legal/illegal? legitimate/bogus?

For an exorcism to be performed in the Catholic church the suspected "possessed" person has to go through a physical and psychological evaluation. The overwhelming majority of the time the person is exposed as a fake or is diagnosed with a mental or medical condition. Very rarely is a person found to be possessed and when that happens an exorcism is performed. I think it is right, effective, and legitimate. For it to be legal the person has to give consent. This is also a rule of the Church.

2008-10-08 17:33:16 by dani123

Price: $24.95

I find it fascinating that this still may be going on in 2009. Anyone know anything on the subject? What criteria needs to be met in order for the catholic church to perform an exorcism, etc?
By the way, I don't need an exorcist, just posed the question cause I'm curious.

The Roman Catholic Church still performs exorcisms. The Church conducts an investigation to validate or repudiate the claims of possessions or "haunting".They take statements from the person affected, family members, neighbors, and any professionals who are called upon to testify to what they know about it. There are priests,deacons or other Church officials who see the person who is possessed or the building that is " haunted". Once that decision is made ( I believe by the Bishop) a priest who has specifically trained for exorcisms is called in to perform the exorcism. He himself has to have time to prepare for the exorcism. Generally it can not be done by just any priest. The process can take up to a year. It is actually a pretty fascinating area to research. There is an increase in requests for these services.

2008-10-22 19:04:10 by Caleb kisses Momma w/that mouth!

I have never been to church, and know nothing about organized religion. I do however, believe in spirits, good and evil, just like humans. What I want to know is...does the catholic church actually perform exorcisms, and do people actually have to get an "ok" from the main guy or is it a bunch of bs?

Yes.

Catholics have been casting out demons ever since Jesus and the Apostles did it.

Modern psychology says that most of the people who had demons cast out of them were probably miraculously cured from schizophrenia and other mental illnesses. But their cures were still miracles.

The Catholic Church believes that real demonic possessions are rare but possible, so they keep a few exorcists around just in case.

The Church has guidelines in place to take great care to exhaust psychological options before calling in an exorcist.

Here is the Rite of Exorcism: http://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.p hp?p=683

Anglicanism, several Protestant denominations, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), Judaism, Hinduism, Scientology, and Islam also practice some kind of exorcism. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exorcism

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 1673: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2s ect2chpt4.shtml#1673

You might also want to read the nonfiction book: "The Rite: The Making of a Modern Exorcist" by Matt Baglio

With love in Christ.

2009-11-21 03:08:54 by lina.trepasso