Exorcism in the Catholic Church

The Catholic Church authorizes the use of exorcism for Christians who are believed to be the victims of demonic possession. In Catholicism, exorcism is a sacramental but not a sacrament, unlike baptism or confession. Unlike a sacrament, exorcism's "integrity and efficacy do not depend [...] on the rigid use of an unchanging formula or on the ordered sequence of prescribed actions. Its efficacy depends on two elements: authorization from valid and licit Church authorities, and the faith of the exorcist." The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: "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authoritatively in the name of Jesus Christ that a person or object be protected against the power of the Evil One and withdrawn from his dominion, it is called exorcism."

Initial guidelines, such as the manual of exorcism Of Exorcisms and Certain Supplications (Latin: De Exorcismis et Supplicationibus Quibusdam), were issued in 1614. The Catholic Church revised the Rite of Exorcism in January 1999. The traditional Rite of Exorcism in Ecclesiastical Latin remains as an option. Solemn exorcisms, according to the Canon law of the Church, can be exercised only by an ordained priest (or higher prelate), with the express permission of the local bishop, and only after a careful medical examination to exclude the possibility of mental illness and personality disorders.

The Catholic Encyclopedia (1908) enjoined: "Superstition ought not to be confounded with religion, however much their history may be interwoven, nor magic, however white it may be, with a legitimate religious rite." Things listed in the Roman Ritual (Latin: Rituale Romanum) as being indicators of possible demonic possession include: speaking foreign and/or ancient languages of which the possessed has no prior knowledge; supernatural abilities and strength; knowledge of hidden or remote things which the possessed has no way of knowing; an aversion to anything holy; and profuse blasphemy and/or sacrilege.