Exorcism
The exorcism is a religious ritual for expelling evil spiritual entity that would have taken possession of a living being (human or animal) and, occasionally, inanimate (object).
This practice is probably universal: it is assumed in Mesopotamia from the second millennium BC. AD and attested as of the first millennium BC. AD , and probably of Semitic , it is rarely found in the Old Testament : scapegoat responsible for errors and sent the Israelites in the wilderness ( Lev. 16. 20-22 ), whereas in fact Jesus arm circumference and his followers who "chase the demons in his name. ("Healing of the possessed," Mt 8. 28-34 ; Mt 9. 32-34 , Mt 12. 22-24 , Mt 15. 21-28 , Mk 1. 23-28 , Mk 5. 1-20 ; Lk 4. 33-36 , Luke 8. 26-39 , Luke 11-14 , Luke 13. 10-17 etc..
Eventually the practice of exorcism will be found in primitive societies where there is a response to the possession by the (s) daemon (s), or more simply to the disease.
We find this form in the shamanism Caucasian, African rituals and voodoo.
It will be institutionalized in the Christian Catholic , especially in the Middle Ages or Lutheran and continues to be practiced today, is at the symbolic and sacramental ( baptism ), or the practical level ( bishops exorcists ). In the Islam , the Qur'an itself has a value exorcist as has the Bible in Christianity. For example a saint said: "If you do not understand the word of God the devils understand what you read and tremble." (Tales of a Russian pilgrim, p. 51) referring to a passage in the Bible "This is so faith, if it hath not works, is dead in itself. In Catholicism
The original behavior of the Church, he is the example and command of Christ : "Heal the sick and cast out demons."
The exorcism is to expel the demons or free of the demonic and that the spiritual authority that Jesus has entrusted to his Church. The best-known entity intended to turn the possession is the force that Christians call Satan or the Devil.
According to the Catholic Church when the Church asks publicly and authoritatively in the name of Jesus Christ , a person or object be protected against the power of evil and withdrawn from his empire, one speaks of public exorcism. Simple form, exorcism is performed at the celebration of baptism. The solemn exorcism canonical called " a major exorcism , "can be performed only by a priest exorcist and with the permission of the Bishop (Don Amorth, Exorcist of Rome). Canonically, the bishop who, as successor of the Apostles, the Church receives the authority to perform exorcisms. In most cases, they delegate this authority to subordinate priests: they are the exorcists. Pope John Paul II , Bishop of Rome, was able to make three exorcisms during his pontificate (Source: , Art. John Paul II ).
Other Catholics as the father in Ovila Melanon Exorcisms and Powers of Lay say they want to "dispel the confusion, almost pervasive in the church, regarding persons with authority to perform exorcisms ... The private exorcism can be performed by any priest or even by all the faithful, without permission of the bishop. This is the common doctrine taught by theologians who have studied this issue, even among the most famous of them ... He then stands solemn exorcism that only an exorcist named by the bishop can perform.
The private exorcism could be performed by "the faithful in a state of grace." This statement confirms the fact that exorcism requires special prayers, but also and above all, faith, mercy (vis--vis the possessed) and love that are the priests when they recited. These are the elements that ensure that the demon will be driven out forever and not only during the reading of prayers. One might add that the exorcism is in the spirit of the priest, be to drive the demon possessed, but also save and not just the first goal.
The crisis of ownership is it reducible to an attack of hysteria?
We must not yield to the temptation to equate the possession and exorcism, which opposes a factor unique as the hysteria, guilt, protest, paradoxical intention, all one can say is that possession is as a dissociative state, as described in schizophrenic psychoses, but the response to it is never unambiguous and should not be divorced from the cultural context in which it appears.
Thus the history of Loudun possessed may be related to schizophrenia by all the nuns of the same convent, there are even cases of possession filed within the African territory compared with delirious presented by African transplanted in Europe for example and suffering the pathogenic effects of acculturation.
Apart from its theological meaning (or cultural) specific, as well as any psychic phenomena which might be involved, the crisis of possession is no different from an attack of hysteria within the meaning of Charcot or phenomena spasmophilia of trance or state of rebirth caused in certain therapies.
For Catholic theologians, the differential diagnosis of mental illness and demonic possession, has relied for some time about the existence of paranormal phenomena. The Catholic Church has sharply revised its position. For example, in the Praktisches Bibellexicon . "
The view of the parapsychologist
If we assume, instead, that psychic phenomena are beyond the realm of preternatural and concern simply the scientific field, but disappears criterion to differentiate the possession of an appropriate form of disorder or psychopathology psychophysiological mechanism whose consequences could even in some cases be beneficial and used by the therapist ...
From the perspective of non-theological parapsychologist, the phenomena that orchestrate the possession or holiness and seem to escape the current scientific analysis, however, are its field by the constitutive assumption of parapsychology itself ...
Note: The parapsychology is not recognized as science by the scientific community. She is listed in the pseudo-science by the academic scientific community. (Source: University of Zttique Nice itself is not recognized by the University)
The statements of the possessed
It distinguishes a state of calm and crisis. The state of crisis resulting in contortions, bursts of rage, words ungodly and blasphemous. During the period of calm, all is forgotten and the behavior usually becomes well adapted to very pious. But the image we may have is far from clear and probably not unlike the one adopted in William Friedkin's 1973 film. It is more interesting to get an idea to read the writings of Pierre Janet : From anguish to ecstasy or psychological Medications.
Symptoms of Possession
According to theologians, there are signs for the diagnosis of possession. The Roman Ritual contains three essential symptoms among others who have a similar value: Unfortunately the translation of this ritual limits these signs to three while the Latin version states that these signs "possunt" (may be) include those described but this is not limiting.
- speak or understand an unknown language ( glossolalia );
- discover the remote and secret things ( clairvoyance );
- demonstrate an inexplicable force by the physical habitus of the person in question ( psychokinesis ).
Gestures are the stakes owned in a rage and led him to blaspheme horribly. Amnesia possession is common, and often constant.
The marks of the devil, for the Church of the Middle Ages were not limited to three signs, now referred to by the Roman ritual, we even gave precedence to other symptoms such as levitation and especially areas of anesthesia, critical points of the body abnormally insensitive (this is for the modern neurologist, a symptom of leprosy at the beginning of certain neurological diseases or phenomenon of hysterical nature. It may be noted especially that the person speaks often only).
Remedies
It is useful to consider "remedies" proposed by the Church. Catholics offer to overcome the possession
- the confession general (on the whole past life)
- the fasting
- the prayer
- the communion
- Objects and especially bless the holy water (which she said the ritual hunt the demon "more at ease in the flames of hell)
- The exorcism consists, in the name of Christ, to summon the demon in order to confess his name, then leave the possessed. In Orthodoxy, this phase passes through a lengthy ritual and repetition of special prayers impressive , a practice comparable to those of the film The Exorcist .
Possession of Psychiatry
In psychiatry, possession is not seen as a religious phenomenon but as a form of madness during which the patient feels inhabited by a supernatural being who speaks through his mouth, his tongue against his will mobilize and direct its movements (Henry Aubin , Handbook of Psychiatry alphabetical).
This form of delirium is found in various organic diseases (encephalitis, intoxication), or non-organic: melancholia, schizophrenia. It seems to happen as an expression of casual disarray organic or cultural development in Africa and can also reveal acculturation during an emigration.
We define the disorder "multiple personality by the coexistence, in the same individual two or more distinct personality states that they own memory, behavioral modalities and their own specific styles or social relationship they share part of these items. The two spirits are fighting in the same field which is the body and the soul is shared; as a part of oneself, it is the subject of evil impressions, and, as the other movements that its own and that God gives. " This type of disorder begins to move from childhood but is most often noticed by clinicians until much later, it is almost always girls (60 to 90%).
The transition from one personality to another is usually sudden (within minutes). The transition is dependent on the relational context. Transitions can also occur when there is conflict between the different personalities or where they have developed a common plan. The personalities can be diametrically opposed in their characteristics and differ as to the same physiological and psychological tests: they may require eg different glasses, respond differently to the same treatment and have different IQs. Describes the existence of possible complications, such as suicide, self harm, assault, rape, drug addiction, etc..
The schizophrenia may also lead to the feeling of being possessed. In this case the environment more easily discern that this is a personality disorder and not a mystical phenomenon.
The Vatican and cases of possession
The Vatican calls the exorcists to go to psychiatrists. Since that psychoanalysis is, we know that the devil is not necessarily the cause of psychological disorders that can affect humans. In the eyes of the Church, who said he owned is not necessarily, and often need the help of a psychiatrist than that of an exorcist. However, the priest-exorcists had until now a ritual dating back nearly four hundred years to practice their ministry. They can now have a new ritual, which includes the development of medicine and psychiatry. This 70-page document, entirely in Latin and in accordance with the decrees of Vatican II , replaces the formulas and prayers of Chapter XII of the Roman Ritual.
The text warns against the human imagination can lead them to believe they are the prey of the devil. In any case, check that the one who said possessed by the devil really is. The text recommends to distinguish between genuine diabolical intervention and gullibility of the faithful who believe they are subject to spells or curses. "We should not deny them spiritual help, but do not practice at all costs an exorcism."
The document continues: "The exorcist will decide carefully the need to use the rite of exorcism after making reasonable inquiry - in the confessional secrecy - and after consulting, where possible, experts in spiritual, and, if deemed appropriate, specialists in medical science and psychiatry, who have a sense of spiritual realities. "While expressing great caution, the Church does not exclude the influence of the devil in some people.
It distinguishes between minor exorcism, prayers made, and the great exorcism, which is a liturgical celebration. It is the most impressive one that inspired horror films generally. The new ritual was somewhat simplified. Thus, the prayers addressed to the demons disappeared. The rite includes among others a sprinkling of holy water, various prayers, the laying on of hands, the presentation of a crucifix possessed, and a mandatory formula that speaks directly to the devil and ordered him to leave. This spectacular rite is rarely used. Church authorities often prefer to create structures to listen and offer emotional support to people in need.
Actual cases of possession are called rare, but today when the occult-esotero attracts many, especially among youth, many people testify to have been issued by the prayers of exorcism or deliverance. The exorcist of Rome, Fr Amorth said that generally, people are completely delivered after two to three years in prayers of blessing (it gives name to the prayer of exorcism) at a every two or three weeks, and insofar as they embrace a life of prayer and distant behavior of risky practices.
Method of eleven parts made by Pope Paul V
- Recitation by the priest in purple stole, one end of which surrounds the neck of the possessed, a litany accompanied by a sprinkling of holy water;
- Recitation of Psalm LIV;
- Entreaty to divinity and made questioning the demon (or several) of his name and where it comes from References
- Praktisches Bibellexicon, 1961, p. 126
- http://benoit-et-moi.fr/2010-I/0455009cf20867a07/0455009d3a0d3ed21.html
- (en) See also
Bibliography
- Marc-Antoine Fontelle, understand and accommodate the exorcism, Publisher: TEQUI, Paris, 1999, 192 p. ( ISBN 2740307284 ).
- Philippe Madre, Healing and exorcism - How to discern?, Editions of the Beatitudes, 2005. This author is a physician and a deacon.
- Robert Ambelain The great exorcism Related articles
- Suffering
- Anneliese Michel
- Don Gabriele Amorth exorcist in Rome
- Johann Joseph Gassner
- Code of Canon Law of 1983 (canon 1172)
- Catechism of the Catholic Church (No. 1673)
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