A new liturgical rite for exorcism was published in 1998; the previous one was in use from 1614. The history of its renewal begins with the first document passed by all the bishops at the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy which set out the guidelines for liturgical renewal. Since then the various rites of the church have been revised and translated into local languages. The last rite to be revised was the Rite of Exorcism or a “major” exorcism of a person presumed to be possessed by a demon(s).
In 1985, the Vatican Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith underlined the provision in the newly revised Code of Canon Law (c. 1172) declaring that only a priest with the permission of the diocesan bishop may conduct an exorcism of a person. This is why Bishop Paprocki organized the study group, to help bishops and priests understand how to use the revised rite and the restrictions on its use. It is also why he appointed a team of priests to investigate any report of possession, and would upon the recommendation of that team appoint a priest to celebrate the rite of exorcism.
The church’s belief in the existence and reality of satanic influence is as old as the Gospels. Jesus exorcised several persons and gave that authority to the Apostles.
Minor exorcisms are part of various rites of the church. For instance, prior to baptism there are prayers of exorcism asking God to bring those who are to be baptized out of darkness into the Kingdom of Light. When blessing water, salt may be added and a prayer of exorcism offered. Common Catholic prayers such as St. Patrick’s Breastplate and the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel appeal to the power of God against evil. The cross or medal of St. Benedict contains his saying, “Begone, Satan. Do not suggest to me your vanities. Evil are the things you offer. Drink the poison yourself.”
In fact, St. Paul suggested that Christians should be constantly aware of the power of God over evil and be prepared to join the battle. Paul says “Since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.” (I Thess. 5:8)
St. Peter says much the same: “Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for (someone) to devour. Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings.” (I Peter 5:8-9)
The normal means to win the battle over evil is trust in God’s generous love, as Jesus did during his temptation in the desert and his passion. Catholic Christians have special means for obtaining the same grace as Jesus received from God. Frequent participation in the sacrament of penance and reception of holy Communion, and many other ways of participation in the life of Christ and the communion of saints, such as prayers to Mary and the saints, as well as living a just and moral life are the normal means of overcoming the powers of evil.
Awareness of evil occurs most often as a temptation to act unjustly by seeking what appears will satisfy self rather than seek justice, love, and the peace that creates friendship. In temptation the truth about our own being is twisted and used against us. And if you watch carefully, you will see that the real attack on us is to make it appear that God in some way has failed us.
For instance, one person is tempted to make a profit at the expense of another. The truth is all those who participate in a just economic exchange should benefit. Or, someone looks down on another because of skin color or religion. The truth is holding my place in society by denigrating another’s makes the whole society unstable. Or, a person wants someone put to death because that person’s life (a fetus or a murderer) is a source of fear. The truth is that fear is never removed by killing another, whether innocent or guilty.
Carefully considered, each of these temptations is an accusation that we cannot depend on the justice of God for our economic wellbeing, social stability, or protection from fear.
In each of these temptations, one can glimpse the unique thumbprint of demonic forces. Demons, according to church teaching, are fallen angels, pure spirits who were created by God to share God’s life. As spiritual beings with free will, they were given the opportunity, like humans, to choose God. St. Thomas Aquinas speculated that their test came when God revealed to them his plan to create humanity and ultimately redeem humankind by the Incarnation, death and resurrection of the second person of the Divine Trinity, the Word of God. Satan and those angels who sided with him refused to worship a being less than them, even though this man from Nazareth, Jesus, would be God incarnate. The demonic powers rejected the will of God for the salvation of humanity and ever since have worked to seduce human beings into choosing their own selves over the love of God and neighbor.
The word demon literally means a being that pretends to have the power of God. The life of demons is pretense and powerful deception, even of themselves. Since they are pure spirits and do not live in material time, their rejection of God’s love is permanent. They have no opportunity for repentance and redemption. Their life is a horror, because they can never find what they were created to enjoy, the face of God. Instead of light, there is only darkness, and instead of peace, an eternity of hopelessness. Into this life they seek to draw humans in order to put a thumb in the eye of God who would give to these lesser beings what the demonic spirits refuse ever to accept, eternal love.
Perhaps the best explanation of demonic activity is found in Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. The letters are from a manager devil in hell to an apprentice engaged in his first temptation of a man. Lewis sums up the entire gambit with a eucharistic image. He says that the work of God is to nourish humankind with his own likeness until they are divine; and that of the devil is to consume humans until there is nothing left to gnaw on but himself.
Another example is one with which we are very familiar in our society. It is the stalker, the dangerous liaison, the lover you had always been waiting for who turns out to be your worst nightmare.
Possession is a rare occurrence. It can begin with total unawareness, dabbling in occult rituals, joining a secret society, or participating in witchcraft or satanic worship. Or the opening may come because of despair over life’s circumstance which is answered by seeking some remedy other than the justice and mercy of God. Some persons, however, have been reared in families that practice witchcraft or satanic worship over generations. In such cases, a member of the family may be initiated into these rites or may be affected by them even if unaware of the actual rituals.
A major exorcism of a person may only be undertaken after a thorough investigation of the physical, psychological, and spiritual history of the person suspected of being possessed. Evidence must be shown that the symptoms of possession, even if accompanied by other medical problems, are in fact attributable to demonic powers and not to normal medical issues. If sufficient evidence exists, the diocesan bishop may appoint a priest who, with a team will celebrate the rite of exorcism. The rite in which the relationship between the demon(s) and person is broken by the power of Christ who is Lord of all creation may have to be repeated until the possessed person arrives at the rejection of the relationship. This same rejection is celebrated at every baptism and at Easter Masses as the congregation rejects Satan, and all his works, and all his empty promises.
Even after the relationship is broken and the possessed person if freed from the demonic power, there may well be need for ongoing spiritual, psychological and medical treatment to support complete recovery. The assault of demonic forces, after all, is the assault by a powerfully depraved spiritual force upon a weaker creature. Much like the victim of rape needs follow-up treatment after the violence has been stopped, a possessed person may well need the ongoing care of family, friends and church community. Nevertheless, the rite of exorcism is meant to restore the freedom of the person to pursue the fullness of human dignity, life, and health which Catholics believe is found in God through Jesus Christ.
Inquiries to the Springfield diocese about possible demonic occurrences should be made to the Office of the Vicar General, (217) 698-8500, ext. 105.