How is an exorcism performed?

Answer 1

Roman Catholic AnswerThere are two kinds of exorcism, major and minor. A minor exorcism is performed by a priest during many ceremonies, it is one of the options for a baptism, it is a prayer over the RCIA candidates for conversion, etc. Major exorcisms may only be performed by a bishop or a priest specially appointed by him. For a complete description get Fr. Amorth's book listed below, Fr. Amorth is the chief exorcist of Rome.

Answer 2

Only a bishop can order an exorcism and only after extensive interviews and examinations by clergy, doctors and psychiatrists to rule out any possible natural causes. If an exorcism seems warranted, the bishop will assign an experienced priest to perform one.

Roman Catholic AnswerGo to your pastor and explain the situation. He will look into it, and if he feels an exorcism is necessary, he will contact the Bishop for you. If for some reason, you are not getting satisfaction from your pastor, you may always contact the Chancery itself and ask to be put in contact with the priest who is in charge of these matters. You must always start with your local parish.

Answer 3

Exorcism is a practice that claims to drive evil spirits or demons out of a person, to relieve alleged symptoms of mental illnesses or other unusual behaviour. However, we now know conclusively that mental illnesses and unusual behaviour are not caused by spirits. Belief in possession by evil spirits has not entirely died out and a few people sometimes still take part in "exorcisms", whether for entertainment, financial gain or out of misplaced piety.

There is no such thing as demons, but a well conducted exorcism can confirm some in their faith. Successful exorcisms are a matter of showmanship. In this context the most important thing is to use the gullibility of the person being 'exorcised' and the gullibility of the audience.

In the Catholic and Anglican Churches, generally only a bishop or priest should perform this rite, although it seems accepted that laypeople can perform 'minor exorcisms'. First the priest or layman should appear to give consideration to whether an exorcism is appropriate in this case. Incense can be used to create the right 'mood' atmosphere. The audience will expect to hear prayers and calls for divine assistance and perhaps a final command for the supposed demons to "begone!"

Answer 4

Catholic Answer

A little background: all religions and most people throughout all of known history have believed in a world and spirits who inhabit it, beyond what we can see with our eyes, and touch with our hands. It is only after the "enlightnment" that some people have come to disbelieve anything that is not solid, and right in front of them. Christianity, however, is the only religion which claims to have defeated demons through Christ's death and resurrection. Many religions claim to control demons, although they may use other names for them, this is very dangerous. What we, as Christians, know of demons is drawn from revelation and from our centuries of dealing with them.

One very important thing to keep in mind is that one of Satan's chief goals is to make people not believe in it, making his job very easy. Satan is far more intelligent and powerful then all the human beings who have ever lived put together. Without God's assistance and grace, we haven't a chance.

Only a bishop or a priest specifically authorized by him can perform a major exorcism. Minor exorcism, for instance, as one of the options during a baptism can be performed by any priest without special permission. The bishop or priest used The Ritualwhich contains all the ceremonies that a priest would need. A complete coverage of a current exorcist and all that he does is included in Fr. Amorth's book, An Exorcist Tells His Story and An Exorcist More Stories. Fr. Amorth is currently the chief exorcist of the diocese of Rome - in other words, he is the Pope's exorcist. Please get the books listed below the answer for a complete discription as well as what people can do in their own homes when they do not access to a priest.

the following is extracted from Fr. Amorth's book:

Laypeople (that is people who are not ordained clergy) can perform minor exorcisms, that is private prayer, which is called collectively "deliverance prayers". Let me be very clear about this, the devil is the most intelligent, powerful being that God ever created. Scripture tells us that angels and demons (demons are the fallen angels, including Satan) are spiritual creatures but also individuals gifted with intelligence, will, freedom, and initiative. If Satan were not restrained by God, none of us would be alive. And do not be fooled, even Jesus called him the "prince of this world". The battle the devil wages against people is one of desperation because he knows he is already defeated, "his time is short" (Rev 12:12). As St. Paul tells us "we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Eph 6:12).
Jesus gave the power to cast out demons to his apostles; then extended the power to the seventy-two disciples, and in the end he granted it to all those who would believe in him. Fr. Amorth points out in his book that just as it is wrong to deny the existence of Satan, it is also wrong to accept the current popular opinion that there are spiritual beings that are not mentioned in The Bible - these are the invention of spiritualists or followers of the occult. Please be warned, there are no "good spirits" other than angels, there are no evil spirits other than demons. The souls of the dead at seances are none other than demons. The demons, especially Satan, are VERY intelligent, and VERY powerful. Please keep this in mind.

Exorcists receive an additional power above that of the lay people I mentioned at the start, they are authorized by their bishop and using the prayers in the Ritual can administer the sacramental of Exorcism that, unlike private prayer, involves the intercession of the Church, and is carried out by virtue of their ordination to the priesthood.

Much FAITH, much PRAYER, and FASTING are always needed: on the part of both those who intercede and those for whom they intercede. Also please be aware that, although the devil is at the root of all illness - all illness, suffering, sin, death, etc. are consequences of sin, not every illness is directly provoked by the evil one. Prayers of deliverance only work on those directly provoked by Satan. A trained exorcist would be able to diagnose the difference.

As for lay people who are claiming to be exorcists, please be on guard against charlatans and swindlers.
The four guidelines recommended by Fr. Amorth are:

1) The individual or community lives the Gospel in a profound way.
2) The individual or the community performs absolutely free.
3) The practices used must be common means to obtain grace approved by the Church, avoiding unusual or superstitious actions.
4) The fruits must be good (Mt 12:33).

Please note # 3 above, as those who resort to other means are playing on the wrong side, so to speak, and leaving themselves open to possession themselves.

Given all that, here is a prayer from the Greek Ritual:

Kyrie eleison. God, our Lord, King of ages, All-powerful and All-might, you who made everything and who transform everything simply by your will. You who in Babylon changed into dew the flames of the "seven-times hotter" furnace and protected and saved the three holy children. You are the doctor and physician of our soul. You are the salvation of those who turn to you. We beseech you to make powerless, banish, and drive out every diabolic power, presence, and machination; every evil influence, malefice, or evil eye and all evil actions aimed against your servant . . . where there is envy and malice, give us an abundance of goodness, endurance, victory, and charity. O Lord, you who love man, we beg you to reach out your powerful hands and your most high and mighty arms and come to our aid. Help us, who are made in your image; send the angel of peace over us, to protect us body and soul. May he keep at bay and vanquish every evil power, every poison or malice invoked against us by corrupt and envious people. Then, under the protection of your authority may we sing, in gratitude, "The Lord is my salvation; whom should I fear? I will not fear evil because you are with me, my God, my strength, my powerful Lord, Lord of peace, Father of all ages."