The Mechanics of Exorcism Explained

The 1973 film "The Exorcist" provides a glimpse into the concept of exorcism, which involves freeing a person from demonic possession. Rooted in Roman Catholic traditions, the movie portrays it as an intensely frightening experience. Recall the chilling scenes of a teenage girl's head spinning, her body convulsing, and a demonic voice hurling profanities as the priest in "The Exorcist" battles to reclaim her soul.

This cinematic portrayal is said to be inspired by an actual exorcism conducted on a boy from Maryland in 1949. Even today, priests continue to perform such rituals.

Is exorcism a genuine phenomenon, or are the participants unknowingly influenced by roles from a famous film? Could there be alternative explanations for what is often termed 'possession'? This article delves into the Roman Catholic exorcism ritual, which has gained significant attention in popular culture through "The Exorcist" and its follow-ups. We'll explore the reasons behind a priest conducting an exorcism, examine the steps of the ritual, review an actual exorcism case, and address the debates surrounding this practice.

Understanding Exorcism

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, exorcism is described as 'the act of expelling or protecting against demons or evil spirits from individuals, locations, or objects believed to be under their control or at risk of harm.' Essentially, it is a sacred ceremony conducted by a Catholic priest to liberate a person, place, or object from demonic influence.

The Roman Catholic Church recognizes multiple forms of exorcism within its spiritual traditions:

When most people hear the term 'exorcism,' they envision a 'real exorcism.' This involves a priest, known as an exorcist, confronting an individual believed to be inhabited by the devil, with the demon taking control of their body.

The Church identifies several indicators of demonic possession, including [ref]:

A quick Google search for 'exorcism' reveals advertisements for exorcists like Wanda Pratnicka, who boasts '30 years of experience with 25,000 successful exorcisms.' This suggests that demonic possession might be more widespread than one might assume.

However, the Roman Catholic Church considers genuine demonic possession extremely rare, confirming it in only approximately one out of 5,000 reported cases [ref]. So, what criteria must be met for the Church to authorize an exorcism?

The Investigation: Possessed?

The concepts of possession and exorcism trace back to ancient civilizations, potentially originating from early shamanistic practices. Shamans believed that spirits of the deceased could harm the living and would enter trances to locate the disruptive spirit and determine how to alleviate the victim's suffering.

In the cultures of ancient Egypt and Babylon, illnesses and misfortunes were often blamed on malevolent spirits that entered the human body. Priest-healers performed elaborate rituals to expel these evil entities.

When a potential case of possession is reported to the Church today, an immediate investigation is initiated.

Father Benedict Groeschel, a Franciscan priest with a Ph.D. in psychology from Columbia University, was the go-to expert for the Archdiocese of New York during the '70s and '80s for investigating suspected possession cases. In "American Exorcism," he recounts his experiences as follows (Cuneo 22):

A standard investigation follows a methodical elimination process: Does the individual display the classic signs of supernatural possession? Are there alternative explanations for their behavior beyond demonic influence?

Frequently, the priest will collaborate with mental health professionals during the investigation to ascertain whether the symptoms attributed to possession can be entirely accounted for by psychological conditions.

As detailed in Michael Cuneo's "American Exorcism," the Catholic Church collaborates with approximately a dozen psychiatrists in the U.S. to assess individuals suspected of possession. The subject also undergoes a thorough medical evaluation to rule out physical ailments or disorders as the cause of their symptoms. Additionally, the priest might seek advice from a Church-recognized paranormal expert. The investigator must also consider the possibility of deliberate deception.

If the priest concludes that the possession is genuine and that an exorcism is the right course of action, he will inform his superior, typically the diocesan bishop, recommending an exorcism. The Church may then authorize an official exorcism and assign an exorcist to the case.

The Exorcist

Selecting an Exorcist

Once the Church confirms a genuine case of possession requiring an exorcism, the next step is to assign an exorcist. This role is often filled by the priest who conducted the investigation, though not always.

Expelling demons is not a routine task for most priests. In fact, the majority have never conducted an exorcism, though a select few have.

Exact figures are scarce, but according to "American Exorcism," the Catholic Church designated 10 priests as exorcists in the U.S. in 1996, increasing the total to 11.

Cuneo suggests there are between 150 and 300 exorcists globally, while other sources indicate that Italy alone has 300 to 400 officially recognized exorcists. Additionally, some priests, though not formally appointed as exorcists, assert they have their bishops' approval to perform exorcisms when necessary.

Training and Performing Exorcisms

The practice of exorcism has seen a significant revival after nearly disappearing for much of the 20th century.

Historically, Catholic exorcists receive minimal specialized training for their role. Although they are well-versed in the nature of evil and the devil, exorcism is not a formal subject in seminary education. Their knowledge primarily stems from their priestly duties and the Roman Catholic rite of exorcism, which outlines the prayers and procedures for the ritual.

However, this is beginning to shift.

In 1992, Catholic exorcists established their own organization, the International Association of Exorcists. This group meets twice a year in Rome and distributes a quarterly newsletter to members, where exorcists share challenging or intriguing cases and exchange professional insights (Cuneo, 266). Additionally, in 2005, Rome's Regina Apostolorum Pontifical Academy, a Vatican-affiliated university, introduced a course dedicated to exorcism.

Once the Church assigns an official exorcist to a case, the focus shifts to expelling the demon from the afflicted individual.

The Exorcism

The Vatican's Updated Exorcism Ritual

In January 1999, the Vatican released an updated version of the exorcism ritual for Catholic priests. The guidelines for performing an exorcism are outlined in a section of the Roman Ritual (Rituale Romanum), one of the texts detailing the official ceremonies of the Roman Catholic Church. Before 1999, the official exorcism rite had remained unchanged since 1614.

During the ritual, the exorcist wears a surplice and a purple stole. The exorcism primarily consists of a sequence of prayers, declarations, and appeals.

These prayers are broadly categorized into the "imploring formula," where the priest beseeches the Holy Spirit to liberate the individual from demonic influence ("God, whose nature is ever merciful and forgiving, accept our prayer that this servant of yours, bound by the fetters of sin, may be pardoned by your loving kindness"), and the "imperative formula," where the priest commands the devil to depart in the name of God ("Depart, then, impious one, depart, accursed one, depart with all your deceits, for God has willed that man should be His temple").

For the complete 1999 revised rite, visit Catholic Doors Ministry: 1999 Rite of Exorcism.

Alongside these prayers, the priest performs specific actions at designated moments during the ritual: He sprinkles holy water on all present, places his hands on the subject, makes the sign of the cross over himself and the subject, and touches the subject with a Catholic relic, typically an item linked to a saint.

Malachi Martin's Insights on Exorcism

Malachi Martin, a former Jesuit priest and self-described (though unofficial) exorcist, provides additional details about exorcism that are not sanctioned by the Church. A divisive figure in Catholicism, Martin outlines what he believes to be the typical phases of an exorcism in his book "Hostage to the Devil" (Cuneo 19-20):

The publication of "Hostage to the Devil" caused significant controversy within the Church. This work outlines exorcisms that Martin asserts are based on true events, which he either conducted, participated in, or observed. The intensity and dramatic nature of these exorcisms are comparable to those depicted in "The Exorcism."

Many faithful followers have critiqued the book, accusing Martin of exaggerating the scenarios, thereby undermining the perceived severity of the devil's influence. However, if Martin's graphic depictions are dismissed by the Church and its adherents, it raises the question of what an authentic exorcism entails.

A Real-life Exorcism

Observations by Michael Cuneo

While conducting research for his book "American Exorcism: Expelling Demons in the Land of Plenty," Michael Cuneo, a Fordham University sociology professor, observed various exorcisms. Among them was a formal, Church-approved exorcism involving a man referred to as Warren (the afflicted) and a priest known as Father Peter.

Warren's existence is fraught with suffering — he struggles with alcoholism, engages in casual sexual encounters, and battles chronic depression. Recently, he has started experiencing auditory hallucinations, visual disturbances, and an "overwhelming physical pressure" during nighttime.

In essence, Warren is deeply afflicted.

Warren's local pastor reached out to Father Peter's superior, and after consulting a psychiatrist, they decided to perform an exorcism. The specifics of this genuine, Church-sanctioned exorcism are recounted in "American Exorcism" (pages 243-245). Although Cuneo does not specify a date, it is likely this event occurred prior to the 1999 updates to the exorcism ritual.

The Exorcism of Warren

In the basement of an ordinary Midwest building, Father Peter, dressed in his surplice and purple stole, positions himself directly in front of Warren. Warren sits with his head down and fists tightly clenched, while Michael Cuneo observes from the side. Father Peter commences the ritual:

"Almighty God, forgive the sins of Your humble servant. Grant me unwavering faith and strength so that, fortified by Your divine power, I may confront this malevolent spirit with confidence and safety..."

As he utters these opening words, the priest sprinkles holy water over Warren, Michael Cuneo, and himself.

Father Peter steps closer to Warren, makes the sign of the cross, and places his hand on Warren's forehead. Warren remains motionless as Father Peter recites the prayers of the exorcism ritual, invoking Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the saints to assist in saving Warren's soul. Warren stays silent throughout.

"I cast you out, Most Impure Spirit! All Spirits! Every one of you! In the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ: Be torn out and driven away from this Creation of God..."

Father Peter traces the sign of the cross on Warren's forehead, places a relic over his chest, and concludes the exorcism with the following words:

"Depart, Deceiver! The wilderness is your domain. The serpent is your abode. Be brought low and defeated. Though you have misled humanity, you cannot ridicule God ... He has destined Hell for you and your followers."

Father Peter then guides Warren through a series of final prayers and additional scripture readings. He inquires about Warren's state of mind. Cuneo recounts Warren's response: "'Calm,' Warren replied, though somewhat bewildered. He sensed something departing from him during the ritual but remained uncertain."

While it may not match the drama of "The Exorcist," few things could.

Cardinal Medina explains, "[Possession] involves dramatic elements, where the devil temporarily dominates the physical faculties of the afflicted. However, the devil cannot override the individual's free will and thus cannot force them to sin. Nevertheless, the physical torment inflicted by the devil serves as a temptation to sin, which is his ultimate goal."

Was Warren truly possessed? Did Father Peter succeed in expelling the devil from Warren's body? Opinions are divided, with believers and skeptics on either side. However, no harm was done, and Warren might have benefited from the experience. This raises the question: what’s the issue?

The Controversy

The debate over exorcisms revolves around two key issues: the proliferation of lucrative "exorcism ministries" in recent decades and the longstanding clash between psychology and religion, which began with the rise of psychiatry in the 19th century.

Exorcism for Profit

When money becomes a factor, skepticism naturally increases. The emergence of profit-driven "exorcism ministries" worldwide has led many who might otherwise remain neutral to dismiss the Catholic perspective on possession and exorcism outright. It’s important to note that these unofficial exorcisms have no affiliation with the Catholic Church.

One of the most well-known exorcism ministries in the U.S., Bob Larson Ministries, broadcasts its weekly sessions. During these large-scale events, which offer discounted "family rates" for attendees, Larson performs exorcisms on entire auditoriums of people. While financial contributions beyond the ticket price are optional, they are encouraged.

Many skeptics argue that financial gain suggests hidden motives, particularly when profit is intertwined with supernatural claims.

Psychology vs. Religion

While one individual interprets symptoms as possession and turns to exorcism rituals, another views the same behavior as mental illness and consults the DSM V. This clash between psychological and religious perspectives lies at the heart of the debate over exorcism, as many behaviors attributed to demonic possession may have scientific explanations.

Psychological conditions such as Tourette syndrome and schizophrenia can manifest symptoms often mistaken for signs of possession.

When a person is actually suffering from a mental illness, the Church risks causing harm by labeling them as possessed, potentially discouraging them from seeking necessary medical care.

Cardinal Jorge Arturo Medina Estevez, while presenting the New Rite for Exorcisms in 1999, addressed the conflict by stating:

The central question persists: "Does exorcism benefit or harm individuals?" There is limited documented evidence regarding the outcomes of official Roman Catholic exorcisms, whether positive or negative.

This approach is intentional. The official rite dictates that exorcisms should be discreet — not necessarily secretive, but not conducted publicly or in the presence of media — to avoid turning the ritual into a spectacle. Outcomes, whether successful or not, are not to be disclosed.

However, there is extensive documentation of harmful consequences from exorcisms conducted outside the Catholic Church. One notable case occurred in June 2005 in Tanacu, Romania.

A priest and several nuns at a Romanian Orthodox convent concluded that Maricia Irina Cornici, a 23-year-old nun residing there, was possessed. They performed an exorcism by binding her to a cross, gagging her with a towel, and leaving her without food or water, aiming to expel the demon they believed inhabited her.

Cornici died after three days. Authorities suspect she suffered from schizophrenia.

Exorcism in Popular Culture

Hollywood has created numerous films centered around exorcism, including but not limited to the following titles: