Practices To Avoid When Fighting The Devil: Intercessors Take Note

The International Association of Exorcists has expressed concern over several erroneous practices, including those carried out by some priests, which confuse the faithful who seek help when possibly facing extraordinary actions of the devil.

The association, which has some 900 exorcist members worldwide, issued its warning in a Jan. 6 article on the organization’s website in order to “offer necessary clarifications to be able to act well in providing divine mercy through the ministry of exorcism.”

The association published the article because “some pastoral practices have been noticed that, instead of rendering a service to the wounded body of Christ, increase its suffering and cause disorientation.” The exorcists ask Catholics to take these observations into account “to avoid attitudes and methods that do not correspond to the authentic work of the Lord Christ.”

The text also points out that in recent years the number of those seeking out exorcists has increased due to people wondering or being convinced that they are “victims of an extraordinary action of the devil,” whether it be vexation, obsession, possession, or infestation.

However, the exorcists warn that there are cases in which this belief — which requires confirmation with a rigorous examination — is often held “by people who, without any specific training in the matter and without a mandate from the competent ordinary, act inappropriately, causing confusion among the people of God.”

The International Association of Exorcists thus warns about the following nine erroneous pastoral practices that disorient people who seek to be freed from the extraordinary action of the evil one.

1. Improvisation and sensationalism

The association begins by criticizing the attitude of some priests, consecrated persons, and laypeople who, without adequate training and without an episcopal mandate, “instead of referring cases of possible extraordinary action by the evil one” to an exorcist, employ “arbitrary methods of liberation” that are not authorized by the bishop.

“Even more serious is when they dissuade the faithful from turning to the official exorcist of their diocese, suggesting that they look for other notable exorcists considered ‘more powerful’ or [claiming] alleged extraordinary demonic activity that they have detected.”

2. Focusing on the work of the devil and not on the Gospel

The association points out that “it is deplorable that some, instead of announcing the Gospel of Jesus Christ that frees man from the slavery of evil and sin, focus their attention exclusively on the presence and work of the devil,” making those seeking help believe that “liberation depends solely on a compulsive repetition of prayers and blessings,” when the peace of Christ “can only be obtained through a life of charity, nourished by the word of God, through prayer, through frequenting the sacraments of the Eucharist and confession, and through an authentic devotion to the Immaculate Virgin.”

3. Negligent discernment

The association laments that some priests, including exorcists, neglect “the serious and rigorous discernment prescribed by the Praenotanda (directives) of the Rite of Exorcisms” and use “criteria foreign to the Catholic faith, validating concepts of esoteric or New Age origin.” The article warns that this is an approach that is “unacceptable and contrary to the faith and doctrine of the Church.”

4. Superstitious practices

The association also criticizes those who use superstitious procedures, such as requesting “photographs or clothing to identify possible evils,” as well as touching “certain points of the body of the member of the faithful to ‘diagnose the presence of malignant entities’ or to ‘expel negativity,’” or suggesting an improper use of sacramentals such as water, salt, or blessed oil “that some call ‘exorcised.’”

The article warns that “these are incorrect attitudes that feed a superstitious mentality and practice, are injurious to the dignity of the body, the temple of the Holy Spirit, and give rise to a magical use of blessed objects.”