Maybe this section of the
Catechism of the Catholic Church would be a good starting reference:
Catechism of theCatholic Church:
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authoritatively in the name of Jesus Christ that a person or object be protected against the power of the Evil One and withdrawn from his dominion, it is called exorcism.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.178 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.179
Some reasons why it is this way have already been mentioned. The Church needs to correctly identify a case, while protecting against abuses, misdiagnoses, et al …
Furthermore, an exorcist should (pardon the expression) possess certain characteristics and usually goes through some fairly involved personal preparation before performing an exorcism.
Each diocese is supposed to have an exorcist appointed . Approximately three years ago , the Archbishop of our Capitol city
actually appointed two .
A little bit more here from
Catholic Encyclopedia.
… and from Father John Hardon SJ’s
Modern Catholic Dictionary :
EXORCIST. Formerly one of the minor orders leading to the priesthood, although the power to drive out evil spirits was never confined to any particular order. The office of exorcist originally included the right to lay hands on possessed persons, exorcise catechumens, and pour out the water at Mass. The office was abolished as a minor order by Pope Paul VI in 1972. But episcopal conferences may petition the Holy See to confer the ministry of exorcist if this would be useful or necessary for their territory.
RITE OF EXORCISM. A sacramental by which a duly appointed person, generally a priest, is authorized to use the special power he receives to drive out the evil spirit. Until recently this power had been conferred in the minor order of exorcist. Nevertheless the power could not be used except by a priest who had received the special and express permission from ecclesiastical authority. The Church, in her directives to exorcists, warns them not to be too ready to assume that there is diabolical possession, since there are so many cases of hysteria or other kinds of emotional disorder that may seem to be “possession.” Moreover, explicit directives are given on how to deal with ostensibly possessed persons, notably to exercise great care not to be either deceived or intimidated by the evil spirit.
Over the centuries the rite of exorcism has been long and detailed, with a variety of ritual forms, numerous signs of the cross, recitation of psalms, the Athanasian Creed, prayers to St. Michael, use of holy water, and periodic adjurations. Among other formulas, the priest declares, I adjure you, ancient serpent, by the Judge of the living and the dead, by your Creator, and the Creator of the world, by Him who has power to send you to hell. Depart immediately with fear and with your army of terror. Depart from this servant of God [name], who takes refuge in the bosom of the Church."
Private exorcism, which is the private adjuring of the devil from harming someone, may be performed by any priest, and also by a lay person; for example, by the use of sacramentals such as holy water or by invoking the name of Jesus.
Father Hardon’s dictionary gives a good
“Church” definition of the word “faculty” too - helps to clear up any misconception. While each priest does have the capacity to exorcise, that power can’t really be exercised without the faculty, which flows from ecclesial authority and which, in the case of present day exorcisms, is more particular.
FACULTIES. Rights granted by the Holy See to bishops and by ordinaries to their priests to enable the latter to exercise their respective powers for the faithful under their jurisdiction. A historic change was introduced by the new Code of Canon Law. Priests who have faculties for giving absolution in the sacrament of penance in one diocese or from one superior can now validly absolve anywhere (Canon 967). However, specific faculties are still required for the valid administration and witness at marriage. Moreover, faculties for licit administration are required for all the sacraments, with varying degrees of obligation. On a wider scale, faculties are also required for the exercise of ecclesiastical authority or, in general, for performance of any act of jurisdiction in the Catholic Church. In every case it is assumed that the one giving the faculties has the right to do so and the one receiving them has the power to put them into practice.
