Catholics, please explain exorcisms?

Question

Please explain what it is, the origins of the practice, and whether you believe or not...

I'd appreciate mature answers

CJ - I'm an atheist with an interest in dark side of Catholicism , I'm not watching any f*cking movies.

Problem - this is the second time you leave a worthless answer on one my questions, I know catholics aren't the only ones, but I wanted CATHOLIC explainations

Problem - you see how non-catholics left decent definitions? do something like that next time :)

Answer 1

not catholic, but......
Exorcism is (1) the act of driving out, or warding off, demons, or evil spirits, from persons, places, or things, which are believed to be possessed or infested by them, or are liable to become victims or instruments of their malice; (2) the means employed for this purpose, especially the solemn and authoritative adjuration of the demon, in the name of God, or any of the higher power in which he is subject.

Answer 2

from the catechism.... the solemn exorcism can be preforming 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 directly 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 preformed, it is important to ascertain that one is dealing with the presence of the evil one, and not an illness.


* there are those priests that study and have been found to have a special "gift" this is not something all priests can do or even want to do.

i believe in the fact that there is evil and are evil spirits. I will leave you with some scriptures to look up if you'd like Mark 1:25-26, 3:15, 6:7 & 13 and finally - 16:17 which states: These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages.

BTW - thank you for asking AND for understanding that there are and will always be those who will offer comments based upon their bias and not knowledge.

Answer 3

Not a Catholic here, but I've done a little research on exorcisms. The thing I found most interesting is that the concept of exorcisms isn't solely a Catholic idea. Nearly every culture throughout the history of mankind has some kind of believe in the possibility of demonic or spiritual possession and ways to treat it. There have also been documented cases of the practice, both in ancient and modern times.

Answer 4

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.

The Church has guidelines in place to take great care to exhaust psychological options before calling in an exorcist.

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 1673: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2chpt4.htm#1673

Anglicanism, several Protestant denominations, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), Judaism, Hinduism, Scientology, and Islam also practice some kind of exorcism. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exorcism

With love in Christ.

Answer 5

http://www.usccb.org/liturgy/innews/199.shtml

Answer 6

Not just Catholics practise exorcism you know!

Answer 7

it's very Biblical. St. Peter did it in the name of Jesus Christ. and yes, I believe it.

Answer 8

They can't exercise anything. Only the power of God can cast out a demon. Catholics are not saved Christians, because they teach a false gospel of works that leads to eternal hell.

You're watching too many dumb movies.