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Can a priest who is not the exorcist of the diocese performs a valid exorcism ?


NadaTeTurbe

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Can a parish priest performs a valid exorcism if he is not the diocese's official exorcist ? 
 

Please quote the Cathechism of the Catholic Church, Canon law or other official document. This is very important, thanks. 

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3 hours ago, NadaTeTurbe said:

Can a parish priest performs a valid exorcism if he is not the diocese's official exorcist ? 
 

Please quote the Cathechism of the Catholic Church, Canon law or other official document. This is very important, thanks. 

CCC:

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authoritatively in the name of Jesus Christ that a person or object be protected against the power of the Evil One and withdrawn from his dominion, it is called exorcism.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

 

So, yes, he can. All a priest needs is the permission of the bishop. But recognize, also, that exorcism is performed in various other "smaller" forms by priests all the time, like at baptism, which is a sign that, fundamentally, any priest is (technically speaking) "default-qualified". However, he does need his bishop's permission for solemn exorcisms.

Think of it this way: If there is an official exorcist of a diocese, by whose authority is he the official exorcist of the diocese? The bishop's, of course. So if the bishop says that another priest can also do exorcisms (or just a one-off exorcism), then he can.

 

Also, just in case, for the lurkers (cuz I expect there will be a lot of lurkers in this thread):

That's How You Get Demons 2.jpg

Edited by Gabriela
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