Devils in the details : -Diagnosis within the official Catholic Exorcism
Salo, Olli (2023)
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe20231116147115
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe20231116147115
Tiivistelmä
This thesis examines how the Catholic Church officially diagnoses exorcisms. It covers the years from 1986 to 2022.
This study involves analyzing literature and documents written by Rome's chief exorcist, Gabriele Amorth, and by researchers Nicole Bauer, Francis Young, Serge-Thomas Bonino, and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
This research reveals that when an exorcist-priest presents a theological framework where demonical influence is considered a reasonable option, it is possible to provide a valid diagnosis and assess if an exorcism ritual is required. The main aspect of diagnosis is to lead the patient in the process of obtaining God's grace. During this process, certain symptoms should appear for a positive diagnosis to occur, which then leads to the major exorcism.
This research also indicates that the majority of the official exorcisms (99.7%) conducted by Rome's chief exorcist, Gabriele Amorth, were more like ordinary pastoral care than what you might see in Hollywood films.
The overall number of exorcisms carried out by Gabriele Amorth (over 30,000) is much larger than the count of major exorcisms (93) performed by Gabriele Amorth. Amorth points out that often a brief blessing and a moment of prayer are enough to count as an exorcism. A patient could also receive more than one exorcism, so Amorth is counting the total exorcisms rather than the number of treated patients. Nevertheless, it is important to note that this is not a fair comparison. The 30,000 appears to represent the number of exorcisms, which might include only a brief moment of prayer, whereas 93 is the count of treated cases of demonic possession, which could involve several exorcisms. However, this number still tells us that cases of demonic possession are rare.
It seems that beyond regions influenced by the Catholic Church, very few people have knowledge about official Catholic exorcisms. Additionally, it is evident that when the ritual is recognized by the Church, the Church's influence is sufficient to regulate how the ritual is practiced.
After this study, it is possible to examine exorcism research from a wider religious perspective. Furthermore, this research can lay the groundwork for future religious studies.
This study involves analyzing literature and documents written by Rome's chief exorcist, Gabriele Amorth, and by researchers Nicole Bauer, Francis Young, Serge-Thomas Bonino, and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
This research reveals that when an exorcist-priest presents a theological framework where demonical influence is considered a reasonable option, it is possible to provide a valid diagnosis and assess if an exorcism ritual is required. The main aspect of diagnosis is to lead the patient in the process of obtaining God's grace. During this process, certain symptoms should appear for a positive diagnosis to occur, which then leads to the major exorcism.
This research also indicates that the majority of the official exorcisms (99.7%) conducted by Rome's chief exorcist, Gabriele Amorth, were more like ordinary pastoral care than what you might see in Hollywood films.
The overall number of exorcisms carried out by Gabriele Amorth (over 30,000) is much larger than the count of major exorcisms (93) performed by Gabriele Amorth. Amorth points out that often a brief blessing and a moment of prayer are enough to count as an exorcism. A patient could also receive more than one exorcism, so Amorth is counting the total exorcisms rather than the number of treated patients. Nevertheless, it is important to note that this is not a fair comparison. The 30,000 appears to represent the number of exorcisms, which might include only a brief moment of prayer, whereas 93 is the count of treated cases of demonic possession, which could involve several exorcisms. However, this number still tells us that cases of demonic possession are rare.
It seems that beyond regions influenced by the Catholic Church, very few people have knowledge about official Catholic exorcisms. Additionally, it is evident that when the ritual is recognized by the Church, the Church's influence is sufficient to regulate how the ritual is practiced.
After this study, it is possible to examine exorcism research from a wider religious perspective. Furthermore, this research can lay the groundwork for future religious studies.
Kokoelmat
- 614 Teologia [62]