Everything You Need to Know about Exorcisms

SOCIAL MEDIA:

INTERESTED IN BECOMING A FRIAR?

SUPPORT THE MISSION

MUSIC

[lolafiiona]

Father Casey, your videos have helped me so much learn about being Catholic at a time when I really was not sure if I wanted to return to my faith. Thank you so much for your work. Keep going you are changing lives.

[lifeisbeautiful]

Not a Catholic but I’ve been raised nondenominational Christian. You and your content are a big reason I’ve been strongly considering Roman Catholicism.

[lamegonacionalista]

I'm from Portugal, and I'm fortunate to have an exorcist in my parish, recognized by the bishop, and blessed to have studied and learned from the late Father Amorth, may God have him in his glory. Father Duarte Sousa Lara.

[paschaleze]

Enlightening as always!! God bless His church, The Priests, Fr. Casey Cole and all the faithfuls..Amen

[robbierobinson]

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I appreciate your dedication and enthusiasm to teach others about Catholicism and the church's various nuances. I love you and appreciate what you are doing.

[Jeanvingtquatre]

Father, I'm a victim of demonic possession. My case has been under the bishop of my diocese for several years now. I had diabolical manifestations just watching this video, especially the parts where you recited the prayers. I never knew the rite to be this long and complex. I believe in the authority of Christ exercised through the Church. I really need one of these, please pray for me.

[terricolarusso]

Fr Casey, I truly enjoy your videos and learn so much. Being a cradle Catholic I had an adequate understanding but Breaking the Habit and everything on Ascension had deepened my faith. Thank you. May the peace of God be with you.

[yurineri]

great video Father Casey

I would also like to address a few of the objections that I usually see about the subject and that some people have made in this comment section.


1- "Why aren’t exorcisms filmed"

you can find exorcisms filmed, but you need the person's consent, and even when it's filmed it's not like most cases of demonic possession give people superpowers or anything that would raise an eye brown.



2-"Why aren’t they studied by secular scientists?"

they have been studied by secular scientists, but as the video said, it's a rare (but although important) usually monotonous process.

3-"Everything I’ve read on exorcisms is just a lot of anecdotal evidence that I don’t find convincing at all."

We aren't saying they are like a flue, there is a reason most exorcisms don't go forward in the catholic process, it usually isn't considered possession, but has a natural cause.



4- If it's not true wouldn't it be medically harmful

Honestly, the catholic exorcism process probably leads to finding more mental health diagnoses than we finding cases we consider demonic possession.

Many religious people who are reluctant to call a psychologist/psychiatrist go to one because their priest requires them to do so (because if they don't the exorcism isn't allowed).

And let's suppose it's just an ultra-rare disease that has no cure, can't be diagnosed, and persists even after a year, in that case at least the exorcism will be a placebo which is useful to the person and it's better than nothing.




5- "why would psychologists examine these cases, I bet most psychologists don’t believe in the possibility of demonic possession. It just seems like it’s disingenuous."

There is nothing inherent about psychologists or psychiatrist that make them incapable of being in demonic possession, smart people can believe in the supernatural, however, it's of fundamental importance for psychologists or psychiatrist to treat any mental illness according to its protocol, and not resort to saying mental illnesses or caused by demonic possession.

Plus, mental illness is carefully studied and defined, they can be a secular mental health professional, but if they are intellectually honest, they will say that a specific case doesn't fit in any established diagnosis in the DMS-5 or anything similar reported in the scientific literature, these things happen, even most doctors have reported experiencing thing they can't explain conventionally.

look, I am not saying exorcisms can't be harmful, but at least the catholic ones usually aren't because of the large number of precautions church the process takes.

[proudhandsdrawing]

Sometimes after being angered at all the pope-hater YouTubers, I am being reminded of your kind existence. Thanks for your down to earthness. Love ya!

[Bluegb]

True story-I had a family member that went to seminary pre-Vatican II. He didn't take his vows, but I remember when I was in high school he found his old exorcism pamphlet. My siblings and I were shocked for a moment and then started freaking out that all the movies were 100% true and we didn't sleep for like a week. We also made promises to each other that we would get the priest ASAP if anything happened. LOL!!!

[skipgiblets]

Your videos are well done. You explain concepts well, not too “academic”, but still giving them due respect. Thank you.

[threelets]

Always enjoy your videos! It's educational and practical. You have modernized the teaching of the church into bite-size as well as incorporated the modern-day human attention span which is about 10-15 minutes.

[libbymurphy]

Father, your explanations are always so clear and well done. Thank you for demystifying what is sometimes presented as magical. Thank you for your ministry! May God continue to bless you and this ministry!

[StAlphonsusHasAPosse]

Love your videos Fr. Casey. You are such a good speaker

[marymccafferty]

A great explanation, Casey. Nana and I have been in the presence of two women being delivered. Not necessarily an exorcism, but even so, very unsettling. May God bless you and keep you holy.

[stevedrake]

There is a difference between Exorcism and Deliverance. Exorcism, involving an exorcist, is done in cases of persons who are mostly or even completely under the control of one or more demon spirits. Deliverance sessions are done for people who are being harassed by a demon spirit, or who have an addiction or compulsion that is not just the result of an emotional or psychiatric problem but is the result of direct influence of a demon. MANY people can benefit from prayer for deliverance, while only a few people are truly possessed and require the ministry of an exorcist.

[kerinskuriosities]

Another great talk Father Casey... can you please talk about the Rosary? Specifically in a way that will help Protestants understand why it's not "vain repetition" and why it's not worship of Mary... I'm a protestant who has discovered the Rosary and while I have found praying it has dramatically improved my spiritual life I still feel conflicted because of the various protestant arguments that linger in my head...

[pruittiii]

Thank you for answering my unasked question about demonic possession versus mental conditions. Like many, I have wondered what the line is between the two.

Keep up the good videos .

[bethanyrose]

THank you so much Father. Im learning day by day about my Catholic faith and be closer to God. Thank you so much.

[LeprosuGnome]

9:13 YES! It's very cultural down here in Brazil to attribute one's misfortune into evil spirits, evil wishes and evil feelings from others. It's so clear in my mind that none of these have absolutely no power over my life, simply because I don't allow it to and because God, who infinitely more powerful than petty evil, protects me from it at all times.