Catholic Exorcism?

Question

In The Discovery Channel Show "A Haunting" They always say that an exorcism is the greatest thing a catholic priest can do on his own authority. What are the other things he can do, and on whose authority? Details if you can please.

Answer 1

I suggest you do not use The Discovery Channel to learn about Catholic doctrine.

A priest actually does very little. But God works miracles through him.

Priests can
+ Baptize
+ Consecrate the Eucharist
+ Confirm (with special permission)
+ Assist at Marriage
+ Hear confessions
+ Anoint the sick

+ Exorcism +

Catholics have been casting out demons ever since Jesus and the Apostles did it.

Modern psychology says that most of the people who had demons cast out of them were probably miraculously cured from schizophrenia and other mental illnesses. But their cures were still miracles.

The Catholic Church believes that real demonic possessions are rare but possible, so they keep a few exorcists around just in case.

+ With love in Christ.

Answer 2

Agree with previous two - the exorcism is performed under authority of Jesus Christ. This authority was first granted to the Apostles (Acts 16:16-18 and 19:12; Acts 5:16, Acts 8:7), although it is the power of the Name that conveys weight (see Mark 9:38). Moreover, there are some that only Jesus could drive out (Mark 9:29).

However, all authority in the Catholic Church derives ultimately from the Lord Jesus Christ, which was passed on to the leadership of the Church (Matt 16:19 and the Great Commission). Thus it is not the priest's power but that of the Lord's. A priest hears confession, but pronounces that the Lord has performed absolution. A priest witnesses and oversees the wedding ceremony, but pronounces that the Lord has united the couple in matrimony. A priest pronounces the Eucharistic liturgy, but it is the Lord who performs the transubstantiation. Priests are ministers of Grace, but the Grace comes from the Lord alone.

Now, if you mean by Church authority (ie, what is a priest ALLOWED to do that a deacon isn't or that would otherwise require a bishop or higher rank), priests are the primary president (not "prez-i-dent" but rather "preside-ent" as in "one who presides") at spiritual functions (Mass, weddings, funerals, confession, etc.) while deacons are primarily in charge of the more physical affects of the parish (historically, they were in charge of money and distribution of food, see Acts 6:1-7) but do assist with the spiritual functions.

A bishop's responsibilities are more supervisory though no less spiritual in nature (ie, he still says Mass and hears confessions), although his authority includes the vestiture of new priests and deacons.

I hope this is a more complete answer.

Answer 3

A priest can do nothing on his own authority. If this is what the Discovery Channel said, they need to correct themselves.

The only power a priest has for anything is what comes from Christ, whether is be exorcism, confession, or saying the Holy Mass. Nothing outside of Jesus has any power.