Minor order: Exorcist

[Spirithound]

Did the reception of this order give a man the power to make an exorcism on behalf of the Church? Was there still the restrictions on the use of this ritual that there are today (that is, permission from the bishop required)?

 

[The_Old_Medic]

Yes, an exorcist had the POWER to exorcise, but not the faculty to do so. In fact, very few Priests have been permitted to use the power of exorcism, for several hundred years.

 

[malphono]

If you haven’t already done, have a look here.

The fourth Council of Carthage (398), in its seventh canon, prescribes the rite of ordination for exorcist; the bishop is to give him the book containing the formula of exorcism, saying, “Receive, and commit to memory, and possess the power of imposing hands on energumens, whether baptized or catechumens”; and the same rite has been retained, without change, in the Roman Pontifical down to the present day, except that instead of the ancient Book of Exorcisms, the Pontifical, or Missal, is put into the hands of the ordained. From this form it is clear that one of the chief duties of exorcists was to take part in baptismal exorcism. … But even after the institution of this order, exorcism was not forbidden to the laity, much less to the higher clergy; nor did those who exorcised always use the forms contained in the Book of Exorcisms. Thus the Apostolic Constitutions (VIII, 26; P.G., I, 1122) say expressly that “the exorcist is not ordained”, i.e. for the special office of exorcist, but that if anyone possess the charismatic power, he is to be recognized, and if need be, ordained deacon or sub-deacon. This is the practice which has survived in the Eastern Orthodox Church. …

After a time, as conditions changed in the Church, the office of exorcist, as an independent office, ceased altogether, and was taken over by clerics in major orders … it is only priests who are authorized to use the exorcising power conferred by ordination.

 

[InspiritCarol]

malpho’s “Council of Carthage” quote is helpful, but seems to make light of exorcism. I can not speak as to whether this was the intent at Carthage; I find it hard to believe. Just to be *VERY *clear from a modern perspective.

No exorcism is performed by any clergy for any reason without the express *authority *of his Bishop. The power of the Authority of the Catholic Church is what gives the full merit to this powerful ritual. No priest in his right mind would approach Satan w/o the full backing of The One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church empowered by the Most High.

It is no light matter as the Church would and does make sure to explore all medical avenues first. Perhaps it is this recourse to preliminary medical testing which allows for the Church to hold off on pulling out Her “big guns” as it were.

 

[John_Lilburne]

Did the reception of this order give a man the power to make an exorcism on behalf of the Church? Was there still the restrictions on the use of this ritual that there are today (that is, permission from the bishop required)?

You have put the question in the past tense: “Did the reception of this order …”. But with the Instruction of Ecclesia Dei of 30 April 2011 it is officially a current practice:

“31. Only in Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life which are under the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, and in those which use the liturgical books of the forma extraordinaria, is the use of the Pontificale Romanum of 1962 for the conferral of minor and major orders permitted.” (From vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_commissions/ecclsdei/documents/rc_com_ecclsdei_doc_20110430_istr-universae-ecclesiae_en.html ).

One of these minor orders is exorcist.

The 1972 Motu Proprio “Ministeria Quaedam” (at ewtn.com/library/papaldoc/p6minors.htm ) stopped the minor order of exorcist being a universal requirement for ordination. But it did leave open it continuing: “In addition to the offices universal in the Latin Church, the conferences of bishops may request others of the Apostolic See, if they judge the establishment of such offices in their region to be necessary or very useful because of special reasons. To these belong, for example, the ministries of porter, exorcist, catechist, [5] as well as others to be conferred on those who are dedicated to works of charity, where this ministry had not been assigned to deacons.” I am not aware of any Conference of Bishops requesting that the minor order of exorcist be continued.

In the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults there is a ceremony called “Minor Exorcisms”.

"90. The first or minor exorcisms have been composed in the form of petitions directly addressed to God. They draw the attention of the catechumens to the real nature of Christian life, the struggle between flesh and spirit, the importance of self-denial for reaching the blessedness of God’s kingdom, and the unending need for God’s help.

1. The presiding celebrant for the minor exorcisms is a priest, a deacon, or a qualified catechist appointed by the bishop for this ministry (see no. 16).
2. The minor exorcisms take place within a celebration of the word of God held in a church, a chapel, or in a center for the catechumenate. A minor exorcism may also be held at the beginning or end of a meeting for catechesis. When there is some special need, one of these prayers of exorcism may be said privately for individual catechumens.
3. The formularies for the minor exorcisms may be used on several occasions, as different situations may suggest."

(Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Study Edition, E.J. Dwyer, Sydney, 1987, ISBN 0855741643, page 42. It should also be in the RCIA introductions for England and Wales, at liturgyoffice.org.uk/Resources/Rites/RiteRitual.html .)

So the minor order of exorcist could be for a person with special role of working with catechumens, preparing them for baptism.

The 1909 Catholic Encyclopedia had this as the role around A.D. 398:

“From this form it is clear that one of the chief duties of exorcists was to take part in baptismal exorcism. That catechumens were exorcised every day, for some time before baptism, may be inferred from canon of the same council, which prescribed the daily imposition of hands by the exorcists.”(Toner, Patrick. “Exorcist.” The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 5. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1909. newadvent.org/cathen/05711a.htm .)

 

[Chatter163]

You have put the question in the past tense: “Did the reception of this order …”. But with the Instruction of Ecclesia Dei of 30 April 2011 it is officially a current practice:

“31. Only in Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life which are under the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, and in those which use the liturgical books of the forma extraordinaria, is the use of the Pontificale Romanum of 1962 for the conferral of minor and major orders permitted.” (From vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_commissions/ecclsdei/documents/rc_com_ecclsdei_doc_20110430_istr-universae-ecclesiae_en.html ).

You make it sound as if the conferral of minor orders for the FSSP, ICRSS and other traditional communities was authorized only recently. This is not the case. In fact, they have had these since their inception. Our Holy Father himself, while still Cardinal Ratzinger, conferred these orders several times for the FSSP in the 1990s.

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[Brendan]

Yes, an exorcist had the POWER to exorcise, but not the faculty to do so. In fact, very few Priests have been permitted to use the power of exorcism, for several hundred years.

Actually, ALL priests are permitted to use the power of exorcism. It is part of the Rite of Christian Baptism and it happens just before the child is Baptized

Likewise, when a priest friend came over to bless a house we had just purchased, he performed an exorcism on the property.

What is limited is the use of this power when there might be medical\psychological factors might be at work.

Here is the CCC on the subject

1673 When the Church asks publicly and authoritatively in the name of Jesus Christ that a person or object be protected against the power of the Evil One and withdrawn from his dominion, it is called exorcism. Jesus performed exorcisms and from him the Church has received the power and office of exorcizing.** In a simple form, exorcism is performed at the celebration of Baptism**. The solemn exorcism, called “a major exorcism,” can be performed only by a priest and with the permission of the bishop. The priest must proceed with prudence, strictly observing the rules established by the Church. Exorcism is directed at the expulsion of demons or to the liberation from demonic possession through the spiritual authority which Jesus entrusted to his Church. Illness, especially psychological illness, is a very different matter; treating this is the concern of medical science. Therefore, before an exorcism is performed, it is important to ascertain that one is dealing with the presence of the Evil One, and not an illness.