Researchers study the ministry and life of Catholic exorcists

A group of European academics has begun to carry out limited new research on the ministry of Catholic exorcists, with the hope of broadening the scope of their study in the future.

A member of the research team, Giovanni Ferrari, estimated that the group is the "first in the world" to carry out this level of research on the ministry of exorcism in the Catholic Church, which is often not well documented by academic researchers. He added that scholars want to continue what they started and expand into more countries.

Due to the delicacy of the subject and the necessary privacy of the people involved, national and international statistics on the ministry of exorcism, as well as how many Catholic exorcists there are in the world, largely do not exist.

The group of researchers, belonging to the University of Bologna and to the GRIS (research group on socio-religious information), carried out their project from 2019 to 2020, with the support of the Sacerdos Institute, which is connected to the Pontifical Regina Institute Apostolorum.

The aim of the study was to identify the presence of exorcists in Catholic dioceses, focusing on the countries of Ireland, England, Switzerland, Italy and Spain. The data was collected via questionnaire.

The results of the research were presented during an October 31 webinar of the Sacerdos Institute.

Although some dioceses did not respond or refused to share information on the number of exorcists, it was possible to gather some limited information and showed that in the countries surveyed the majority of dioceses had at least one exorcist present.

The project had a few hitches, said researcher Giuseppe Frau, pointing to the delicate nature of the matter and the fact that the group was a "pioneer" in a brand new area of ​​research. It was noted that the response rates to the polls were quite high, but in some cases the diocese did not respond or was misinformed about the ministry of exorcisms in general.

In Italy, the group contacted 226 Catholic dioceses, of which 16 did not respond or refused to participate. They are still waiting to receive responses from 13 dioceses.

One hundred and sixty Italian dioceses responded affirmatively to the survey, claiming to have at least one designated exorcist, and 37 replied that they did not have an exorcist.

The responses also showed that 3,6% of Italian dioceses have specialized personnel around the ministry of exorcism but that 2,2% have an illicit practice of ministry by priests or lay people.

The coordinator of the Sacerdos Institute Fr. Luis Ramirez said on Oct.31 that the group wants to continue the search they had begun and reminded viewers of the webinar of the importance of avoiding a superstitious or elated mentality.

Researcher Francesca Sbardella said she found it interesting to look at the relationship between ecclesiastical authorities and the daily practice of exorcism in a diocese.

He also said that one area that needs further study is the demarcation between appointed and permanent diocesan exorcists and those appointed on a case-by-case basis.

Sbardella said the initial project is a start to outline some information and to decide where to focus the next steps. It also shows the gaps existing in the diocesan ministries of exorcism.

Dominican priest and exorcist Fr. Francois Dermine briefly presented during the webinar, emphasizing the isolation and lack of support that an exorcist priest can feel within his diocese.

Sometimes, after a bishop has appointed an exorcist in his diocese, the priest is left alone and unsupported, he said, stressing that the exorcist needs the attention and care of the Church hierarchy.

While the researchers said that some dioceses and individual exorcists have reported that cases of diabolical oppression, harassment and possession are rare, Dermine said her experience is that "the cases are not scarce, they are very numerous."

An exorcist in Italy for over 25 years, Dermine explained that of those who present themselves to him, demonic possessions are the least common, with cases of harassment, oppression or attacks by the devil being much more frequent.

Dermine also stressed the importance of an exorcist who has "true faith". Having the faculty of the bishop is not enough, he said.

The Sacerdos Institute organizes every year a course of exorcism and prayers of liberation for priests and those who assist them. The 15th edition, scheduled for this month, has been suspended due to COVID-19.