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{{Short description|Person who is believed to be able to cast out the devil or other demons}}
{{About|the person who performs exorcisms|the book|The Exorcist (novel){{!}}''The Exorcist'' (novel)|the film|The Exorcist{{!}}''The Exorcist''|other uses|Exorcist (disambiguation)}}
[[File:Father Theophilus... wrestled with Iowa devils.png|thumb|A portrait of Theophilus Riesinger taken for Time Magazine's 1936 issue on the Earling Exorcism. A caption below reads "Father Theophilus... wrestled with Iowa devils."]]
In some religions, an '''exorcist''' (from the Greek „ἐξορκιστής“) is a person who is believed to be able to [[exorcism|cast out]] the [[devil]] or  performs  the ridding of [[demon]]s or other supernatural beings who are alleged to have [[demonic possession|possessed]] a person, or (sometimes) a building or object. An exorcist can be a specially prepared or instructed person including: [[priest]], a [[nun]], a [[monk]], a [[witch doctor]] (healer), a [[shaman]], a [[psychic]] or a [[geomancy|geomancer]] ([[Feng shui]] - Chinese geomancy).

==Exorcists in various religions==
===Christianity===
In Christianity, [[exorcism in Christianity|exorcisms]] are a rite used to cast out demons from [[demonic possession|individuals deemed possessed]]. In training exorcists, [[Christian ecumenism|ecumenical]] collaboration between Christians of various traditions, such as the Roman Catholic, the Lutheran and the Anglican denominations has occurred, as with a May 2019 exorcists' conference in Rome.<ref name="Harris2019">{{cite web |last1=Harris |first1=Elise |title=Exorcists see ecumenical agenda in fighting 'voluntary possession' |url=https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2019/05/exorcists-see-ecumenical-agenda-in-fighting-voluntary-possession |publisher=[[Crux Now]] |access-date=16 April 2022 |language=English |date=14 May 2019}}</ref>

====Catholicism====

{{Catholic Church hierarchy sidebar|Administrative and pastoral titles}}
In a Roman Catholic context, ''exorcist'' may refer to a cleric who has been ordained into the [[minor order]] of exorcist, or a priest who has been mandated to perform the rite of [[Exorcism in the Catholic Church|solemn exorcism]].

=====Minor order of exorcist=====

Since at least the third century, the [[Latin Church]] has formally ordained men to the minor order of exorcist. Text previously attributed to a fourth [[Council of Carthage (398)]], now identified as a collection called ''[[Collections of ancient canons#Statuta Ecclesi.C3.A6 Antiqua|Statuta Ecclesiæ Antiqua]]'', prescribes in its seventh canon the rite of ordination of such an exorcist: the bishop is to give him the book containing the formulae of exorcism, saying, "Receive, and commit to memory, and possess the power of imposing hands on [[wiktionary:energumen|energumens]], whether baptized or [[catechumens]]".<ref name="CE-exorcist">Toner, Patrick. [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05711a.htm "Exorcist"] ''The Catholic Encyclopedia''. Vol. 5. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1909. 21 May 2014 .</ref>

These exorcists routinely performed ceremonies over adults and infants preparatory to baptism. Authors such as [[Eusebius]] (3rd century) and [[Augustine of Hippo|Augustine]] (4th century) provide details of these [[Minor exorcism in Christianity|minor exorcisms]]: Eusebius mentions the imposition of hands and prayer.<ref>Scannell, T. (1908). [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03430b.htm ''Catechumen''] in ''The Catholic Encyclopedia'' New York: Robert Appleton Company. Retrieved May 21, 2014 from New Advent.</ref> Augustine noted that rites of exorcism by exsufflation (breathing upon the candidate) were also performed for the [[infant baptism|baptism of infants]].<ref>Augustine of Hippo. [http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/15072.htm ''On Marriage and Concupiscence'' (Book II)]. Paragraph 50. Translated by Peter Holmes and Robert Ernest Wallis, and revised by Benjamin B. Warfield. From ''Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers'', First Series, Vol. 5. Edited by Philip Schaff. (Buffalo, New York: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1887) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight.</ref>

The office of Exorcist was not a part of the sacrament of [[Holy Orders]] but as a [[Sacramentals|sacramental]] was instead first conferred on those who had the special charism to perform its duties and later to those studying for the [[priest]]hood.<ref>{{CathEncy|wstitle=Exorcist|author=Patrick Joseph Toner}}</ref> As a minor order, exorcists wore the [[surplice]].

In 1972, the minor orders were reformed; men preparing to be ordained as [[Catholic priests]] or [[Deacon#Latin Catholicism|deacons]] would no longer receive the minor order of exorcist; the minor orders of [[lector#Ecclesiastical|lector]] and [[acolyte#Roman Catholicism|acolyte]] were retained, but redesignated as ''ministries''. It was left open to the Catholic bishops of individual countries to petition the Vatican to establish a ''ministry of exorcist'' if it seemed useful in that nation.<ref>Paul VI. [https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/motu_proprio/documents/hf_p-vi_motu-proprio_19720815_ministeria-quaedam_lt.html ''Ministeria quaedam''] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111103110807/https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/motu_proprio/documents/hf_p-vi_motu-proprio_19720815_ministeria-quaedam_lt.html |date=November 3, 2011 }}, II: "The orders hitherto called minor are henceforth to be spoken of as 'ministries'."</ref>

The rite of conferral continues in societies that use the 1962 (or earlier) form of the [[Roman Rite]], such as the [[Priestly Fraternity of St Peter]], [[Society of St. Pius X]], and also among groups not in communion with the current bishop of Rome, such as the [[Society of St Pius V]]. Some believe{{Who|date=May 2014}} that attainment of the position of Acolyte in post-Council practices implies ordination to the minor orders which used to be below it, such as Exorcist and Porter, although this has not been officially defined (although Canon Law section 1009 does specifically state that the only "orders are the episcopate, the priesthood and the diaconate").

The Eastern Churches did not establish a minor order of exorcist, but simply recognised the calling of lay or ordained members of the faithful who had the appropriate [[spiritual gifts]].<ref name="CE-exorcist" /> In principle, every Christian has the power to command demons and drive them out in the name of Christ.<ref name="Moshe Sluhovsky – Lay Exorcists">{{cite book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=fPGyeVQfgCUC&pg=PA43 |title=Believe Not Every Spirit: Possession, Mysticism, & Discernment in Early Modern Catholicism|date=15 November 2008|quote= Yet we have seen that Johannes Nider and Heinrich Kramer found nothing wrong with the performance of exorcism by laypeople, as long as they did not usurp the clerical rite, which included some prayers only a priest could pronounce. Every Christian, Nider reminded his readers, had the power to command demons and drive them out in the name of Christ, but lay exorcists should be extremely careful not to use unknown characters and charms, and should be aware that the only mode to adjure demons is the imperative and never the supplicative.|publisher =University of Chicago Press|isbn=9780226762951|access-date = 2007-12-31}}</ref>

=====Mandated Exorcists=====

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that: "Jesus performed exorcisms and from him the Church has received the power and office of exorcizing".<ref>[https://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p2s2c4a1.htm#1673 Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 1673.]</ref> The 1917 Code of Canon Law<ref name="Church2001">{{cite book|author=Catholic Church|title=The 1917 Or Pio-Benedictine Code of Canon Law: In English Translation with Extensive Scholarly Apparatus|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2XbtF6Y21LUC&pg=PA394|year=2001|publisher=Ignatius Press|isbn=978-0-89870-831-8|pages=394 (Canon 1151)}}</ref> explicitly stated that the solemn exorcism of a person believed to be [[demonic possession|possessed]] may only be performed with the express authorisation of the local bishop or equivalent; "this permission is only to be given to priests of the highest repute". The revised 1983 Code of Canon Law similarly stated that the bishop is "to give this permission only to a [[presbyter]] who has piety, knowledge, prudence, and integrity of life."<ref>1983 Code of Canon Law, [https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P48.HTM Canon 1172]. Accessed 21 May 2014.</ref>

The Catholic Church's [[Of Exorcisms and Certain Supplications|Rite of Exorcism]] was revised in 1999. Paragraph 13 of its introduction states that a priest can be appointed by the local Bishop either for a single act of exorcism, or to the permanent position of 'exorcist'. The Rite then specifies that whenever it uses the word ''exorcist'' without qualification, it indicates a priest mandated in this way.
[[File:Ottava di San Filippo d'Agira a Limina - Province of Messina, Sicily, Italy - Sunday 19 May 2013.jpg|thumb| Saint [[Philip of Agira]] with the Gospel in his left hand, the symbol of the exorcists, in the May celebrations in his honor at [[Limina]], [[Sicily]]]]

Among notable exorcists, [[Gabriele Amorth]] served as chief exorcist of the [[Diocese of Rome]]; he was the founder of the [[International Association of Exorcists]].

American exorcists whom have been featured on [[podcast]]s include Fr. Carlos Martins and [[Vincent Lampert|Fr. Vincent Lampert]]. Fr. Carlos Martins stated that “1 confession is more powerful than 1,000 exorcisms”<ref>@missiodeicatholic, and Fr. Carlos Martins. “One Confession Is Worth More than a Thousand Exorcisms.” YouTube, YouTube, 14 Oct. 2023, www.youtube.com/shorts/n2ylZlvVV5o.</ref> and Fr. Vincent Lampert also stated that only 1 out of every 5,000 inquiries for those seeking an exorcism were an actual case of demonic possession.<ref>@VICE, and Fr. Vincent Lampert . “A Day in the Life of a Modern American Exorcist.” YouTube, YouTube, 21 Sept. 2016, www.youtube.com/watch?v=7szlOjtKGY0.</ref>

====Lutheranism====
In [[Lutheranism]], exorcists practice the "extensive ministry of casting out evil spirits ... in the name of Christ."<ref name="Veith2020">{{cite book |last1=Veith |first1=Gene Edward |title=Post-Christian: A Guide to Contemporary Thought and Culture |date=7 January 2020 |publisher=Crossway |isbn=978-1-4335-6581-6 |language=English}}</ref> In [[Madagascar]], where the [[Malagasy Lutheran Church]] has territorial jurisdiction, the demand for [[exorcism in Christianity|exorcisms]] is quite high and pastors from sister Lutheran Churches, such as the [[Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod]] have brought the education they gleaned while training in Madagascar back to the United States.<ref name="Veith2020"/>

====Anglicanism====
In the [[Church of England]], [[mother Church]] of the [[Anglican Communion]], every diocese has an exorcist.<ref name="Steiger2011">{{cite book |last1=Steiger |first1=Brad |title=The Werewolf Book: The Encyclopedia of Shape-Shifting Beings |date=1 September 2011 |publisher=Visible Ink Press |isbn=978-1-57859-378-1 |page=103 |language=English}}</ref>

===Hinduism ===
{{More citations needed section|date=October 2010}}
[[File:Kashtbhanjan.jpg|thumb|The image of [[Hanuman]] at the [[Shri Hanuman Mandir, Sarangpur|Hanuman temple in Sarangpur]] is said to be so powerful that a mere look at it by people affected by evil spirits, drives the evil spirits out of the people affected<ref name="isbn0391024809">{{cite book | author=Rajaram Narayan Saletore | title=Indian witchcraft | publisher=Abhinav Publications | year=1981 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ETz3_bv8t0cC&dq=hanuman+sarangpur&pg=PA40 |access-date=May 14, 2009|page = 40| isbn=9780391024809 }}</ref>]]
Beliefs and practices pertaining to the practice of exorcism are prominently connected with the ancient Dravidians in the south. Of the four [[Vedas]] (holy books of the Hindus), the [[Atharva Veda]] is said to contain the secrets related to magic and medicine. Many of the rituals described in this book are for casting out demons and evil spirits.<ref>{{Harvnb|Monier-Williams|1974|pp=25–41}}</ref> These beliefs are particularly strong and practiced in [[West Bengal]], [[Odisha]] and southern states like [[Kerala]].

[[Vaishnava]] traditions also employ a recitation of names of Lord [[Narasimha]] and reading scriptures (notably [[Bhagavata Purana]]) aloud.{{Citation needed|date=October 2010}} According to [[Gita Mahatmya]] of [[Padma Purana]], reading the 3rd, 7th and 8th chapter of [[Bhagavad Gita]] and mentally offering the result to departed persons helps them to get released from their ghostly situation. [[Bhajan|Kirtan]], continuous playing of mantras, keeping scriptures and holy pictures of the deities (Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, Shakti etc. but especially of Narasimha) in the house, burning incense offered during a [[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]], sprinkling water from holy rivers, and blowing conches used in ''puja'' are other effective practices.{{Citation needed|date=October 2010}}

Main Puranic resource on ghost- and death-related information is [[Garuda Purana]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Emotional Exorcism: Expelling the Four Psychological Demons That Make Us Backslide|page=6|author=Holly A. Hunt|publisher=ABC-CLIO}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Celestial Masters]]
* [[Demon hunter]]
* [[Exorcism]]
* [[Fashi]]
* [[Parapsychology]]
*''[[Fangxiangshi]]'', a Chinese ritual exorcist

==References==
{{Reflist}}

===Works cited===
* {{Citation |last= Monier-Williams |first=Monier |author-link=Monier Monier-Williams |year=1974 |title=Brahmanism and Hinduism: Or, Religious Thought and Life in India, as Based on the Veda and Other Sacred Books of the Hindus |publisher= Adamant Media Corporation |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U5IBXA4UpT0C |access-date=8 July 2007 |series=Elibron Classics |isbn=1-4212-6531-1 }}

==External links==
{{EB1911 Poster|Exorcist}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20101224103059/http://www.audiosancto.org/sermon/20081007-An-Evening-with-an-Exorcist.html "An Evening with an Exorcist," a talk given by Fr. Thomas J. Euteneuer]
*[http://www.exorcismus.org/exorcism-and-exorcists/212-who-is-an-exorcist Exorcisms in the Catholic Church]
*[http://www.internationalassociationofexorcists.com/ International Association of Exorcists]

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[[Category:Exorcists| ]]
[[Category:Minor orders]]