#History of ushers in catholic church free#

Those guidelines were later revised by the Vatican in 1999 as the demand for exorcisms increased. The first official guidelines for exorcism were established in 1614, whereas grimoires were widely known and used since the Ancient period. 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 as being indicators of possible demonic possession include: speaking foreign 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. 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.

#History of ushers in catholic church free#

The ritual assumes that possessed persons retain their free will, though the demon may hold control over their physical body, and involves prayers, blessings, and invocations with the use of the document Of Exorcisms and Certain Supplications. The Catholic Church revised the Rite of Exorcism in January 1999, though the traditional Rite of Exorcism in Latin is allowed as an option. 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authoritatively in the name of Jesus Christ that a person or object be protected against the power of the Evil One and withdrawn from his dominion, it is called exorcism.'

on the rigid use of an unchanging formula or on the ordered sequence of prescribed actions. Unlike a sacrament, exorcism's 'integrity and efficacy do not depend. In Roman Catholicism, exorcism is a sacramental but not a sacrament, unlike baptism or confession. The Catholic Church authorizes the use of exorcism for those who are believed to be the victims of demonic possession.

Further information: Exorcism in Christianity Painting in the Valencia Cathedral by Francisco de Goya of Saint Francis Borgia performing an exorcism.