Exorcism

    Exorcism is 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.

    Technically, exorcism is not driving out a the Devil or demon, but it is placing the Devil or demon on oath. And, in some incidences there may be more than one demon possessing a person. "Exorcism" is derived from the Greek preposition "ek" with the verb "horkizo" which means "I cause [someone] to swear" and refers to "putting the spirit or demon on oath," or invoking a higher authority to bind the entity in order to control it and command it to act contrary to its own will.

     The rite is mainly thought to be practiced by the Roman Catholic Church, but some Orthodox and Protestant denominations such as the Pentecostals and other charismatic groups practice it as well. These groups refer to the practice as "deliverance ministry" where gifted people drive out devils and heal while they touch the persons with their hands, called laying on of hands, and pray over them.  Exorcism (Greek Orthodox)
    The Official Exorcism in the Catholic Church can be done only by a special priest, duly authorized by the Bishop of the Dioceses.

    There are also Exorcisms among the Jewish religion, examples of which may be seen in Talmud (Schabbath, xiv, 3; Aboda Zara, xii, 2; Sanhedrin, x, 1)... and exorcisms in other religions, as in the Babylonian and Egyptian cultures.
Jews and Demons   Exorcism by Rabbis (with information on Talmud Sages and their magic).

In the Catholic Church there are three kind of Exorcisms:

    1- Exorcism of the possessed:
    A simple and authoritative adjuration addressed to the demon in the name of God and more especially in the name of Jesus Christ crucified, is the usual form of exorcism... But sometimes in addition to words some symbolic action is employed, such as breathing (insufflatio), or laying of hands on the subject, or making the sign of the cross

   2- Baptismal exorcism
    At an early age the practice was introduced into the Church of exorcising catechumens as a preparation for the Sacrament of Baptism... now it is usually done during the baptismal ceremony.

    3- Other Exorcisms
    Places and things as well as persons are naturally liable to diabolical infestation, and exorcism in regard to them is nothing more that a prayer to God, in the name of His Church, to restrain this diabolical power supernaturally, and a profession of faith in His willingness to do so on behalf of His servants on earth.

Exorcism--The Facts (as viewed in the Catholic Church)

A simple Exorcism: For Catholic Priests or Layman 

The Catholic Prayer of Exorcism (in Latin and English)  The Roman Ritual of Exorcism
Exorcism - The Roman Ritual (2) - The Rite for Exorcism   On the Current Norms Governing Exorcisms (CDF)
Vatican issues first new Exorcism Ritual since 1614

Real Audio Sound Byte of Deliverance    How to Stop a Demonic Attack

There are three kinds of demonic influence:

   The Exorcism is mainly used in the third kind: Possession.

    1- Temptation: For everybody, including Jesus when he was fasting and praying for 40 days!… you and your friends will also be tempted, specially when you pray and fast long, like Jesus. (Mt.4).

    2- Obsession, compulsion, oppression They are very frequent, causing the impulse to masturbation, stealing, lying, hitting the relatives, homosexuality, alcohol, drugs, irrational compulsions, depressions… Here the person may have an irresistible impulse to perform something he well knows it is wrong or irrational, or an anxious and inescapable preoccupation with an idea or emotion that he realizes it is not right… in contrast with the demonic possession, here the person can exercise volition, he is capable of voluntary actions, and he realizes he is doing something bad or wrong.

    3- Demonic Possession: A demon takes over the personality of a human, so that he is incapable of voluntary thinking or actions: Most heretics, those involved in the occult… Here the person is even unable to recognize that he may be wrong… at times, the individual normal personality is replaced by another, specially while talking about a specific subject: He is fine, except when you touch that special subject… other times, not often, he may manifest bizarre symptoms, such as hysteric behavior, incoherent speech, uncontrollable physical movements, with extraordinary feats o physical strength that may be self-destructive or destructive to others or to material objects…

    In all instances, it has to considered that the symptoms or actions may be due to pathological (natural) factors rather than by the supernatural power of evil spirits.

    Official Church exorcisms are rare, and mainly on these kind of Demonic Possession, but those which are performed are usually administered by priests who are special delegates of their local bishops, always after a very rigorous physical and psychological examination that rules out any natural explanation for the problems. And since 1972, the official Church declared that the minor order of exorcist would not longer be received.

Catholic Encyclopedia   Exorcism (How to Stop a Demonic Attack, Protection)   Exorcism   Exorcism... Ask