****** EXORCISM ******

INDE AB ALIQUOT ANNIS

On The Current Norms Governing Exorcisms Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith

[The following translation has been prepared by EWTN Online Services. It is not an official translation, and is not to be circulated without this warning.]

Issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on September 29, 1984.

Excellentissime Domine,

For several years, in certain areas of the Church, assemblies formed to pray for liberation from the influence of demons (though they do not perform exorcisms as such) have been increasing in number. These assemblies are often led by members of the laity, even when there is a priest present.

Since the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has been asked what is the proper attitude towards these activities, this Dicastery deems it necessary to make known to all Ordinaries the response which follows:

1. Canon 1172 of the Code of Canon Law declares that no one may licitly perform exorcisms on those who are possessed [obsessos], unless he has obtained particular and express permission from the local ordinary (section 1), and it decrees that this permission is to be granted by the Ordinary only to priests who are outstanding in piety, knowledge, prudence, and integrity of life (section 2). Bishops are therefore strongly urged to enforce the observance of these prescriptions.

2. It follows also from these same prescriptions that Christ's faithful may not employ the formula of exorcism against Satan and the fallen angels which is excerpted from that formula made official by order of the Supreme Pontiff Leo XIII, and certainly may not use the entire text of that exorcism. Let all bishops take care to admonish the faithful about this matter whenever such instruction is required.

3. Finally, for the same reasons, Bishops are asked to guard lest those who lack the required power attempt to lead assemblies in which prayers are employed to obtain liberation from demons, and in the course of which the demons are directly disturbed and an attempt is made to determine their identity. This applies even to cases which, although they do not involve true diabolical possession, nevertheless are seen in some way to manifest diabolical influence.

[EWTN theological note: Paragraph 3 applies this prohibition to obsession (of persons) and infestation (of places). CBD]

Of course, the enunciation of these norms should not stop the faithful of Christ from praying, as Jesus taught us, that they may be freed from evil (cf. Mt 6:13). Moreover, Pastors should take this opportunity to remember what the tradition of the Church teaches about the function properly assigned to the intercession of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, the Apostles and the Saints, even in the spiritual battle of Christians against the evil spirits.

May I take this occasion to convey my great feelings of esteem for you, remaining your servant in the Lord,

Joseph Card. Ratzinger, Prefect

CONFESSION

It is important to note that possession does not indicate that someone is evil. No one is free from sin. Every time we sin, evil enters us. This is why confession is an important tool in freeing one of evil. In the book AN EXORCIST TELLS HIS STORY, the author states that Satan fears confession more than he does an exorcism. Why? Confession rids,cleans, and purifies the soul bringing us closer to God. To confess ones sins to a representative of Christ is very humbling.

Jesus gave men the authority to forgive sins acting in His name (Jn. 20:21-23 and 2 Cor. 5:18-20). Why are these verses significant? Let us look at John 20:22. In this verse, Jesus breathes upon the apostles and gives them the Holy Spirit. Connected with this event of "breathing" on the apostles, Jesus states that he gives them the authority to forgive sins. Why is this significant? The only other time in the Bible that the term "breathe" is found as an action performed by God, is in Genesis 2:7 when He breathes the breath of life into man. In John 20:22, God again breathes the gift of life into man (the gift of eternal life) in that He is giving His representatives the authority to assist in purifying the souls of men, thus giving them life. It is easy for us to say in our head "Jesus I am sorry for the sin I committed" however, this type of confession is hardly the type of confession Jesus intended for us--especially when the Bible states otherwise! To stand in front of a representative of Christ, whom God has given the authority to be His stand-in, and actually state aloud the sin, which was committed with true contrition, is not an easy thing to do--think about it? Once an individual goes to confession and actually states the sin aloud with true contrition, it is guaranteed that a relief and cleansing will immediately follow, as well as a strong sense of forgiveness--there is no doubt that you are forgiven--you know! Confession gives the penitent a fresh start to perhaps work with a strong passion to never commit the sin. Not only does confession cleans the soul, it is pleasing to God and He fills the soul with graces. Confession is the strongest tool of an exorcist. In some instances, the individual is held in the state of possession because of a lack of unforgiveness on their part. Once the victim forgives all, he is freed or very close to being freed.