By Anthony Barich
Australian clergy involved in carrying out exorcism, an ancient ministry in the Church regarded as overwhelmingly about liberation and healing, take extremely seriously the words of St Paul to combat Satan, who has “been given a particular foothold” in the country due to a decline of faith.
“Satan is a defeated enemy, but he is still able to conduct guerilla warfare on humanity”, said Sydney Auxiliary Bishop Julian Porteous, who received national attention for his efforts to highlight the importance of the Rite of Exorcism that was once part of priests’ basic training.
“As St Paul said: ‘Our battle is not against human forces but against the principalities and powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places’” Bishop Porteous said, quoting the Letter to the Ephesians.
Bishop Porteous – who stood in as the Archdiocese of Sydney’s exorcist until another priest was recently appointed – sees an urgent need for preaching that alerts people to the reality of temptation, sin and Satan.
He also wants to boost the numbers of exorcists – and not just because of rising requests for exorcism.
Canon law requires every diocese to have an exorcist but it is estimated there are only 20 or so exorcists among Australia’s 30 dioceses and two eparchies.
A number of gatherings for those who carry out the ministry of exorcism have been organised in recent years, offering not only spiritual formation and fraternity, but opportunities to exchange information among practitioners.
When Father Jose Fortea, the exorcist of the diocese of Alcalá de Henares in Spain and author of several books on demonic possession and exorcism, visited Australia in March, Bishop Porteous organised a two-day conference in Sydney that drew about 20 priests and a number of psychologists. Fr Fortea also addressed audiences in Melbourne and Brisbane.
In November 2009, former medical doctor Father Jeremy Davies visited Australia for a forum on the subject, attended by 27 clergy.
He co-founded the International Association of Exorcists with the Vatican’s chief exorcist, Father Gabriele Amorth, who claims to have performed the rite 70,000 times over the course of his career.
Jesuit Father Gregory Jordan, an exorcist in Brisbane for the past eight years, also addressed over 100 students at Sydney University in May.
Father Jordan told the Sydney University students that while “some clergy don’t believe in the devil – evil personified … (the need for exorcism) has come back full force; there’s a real turn around (in interest), and it had to happen”.
“Look at Christ’s words sending out the 72 Disciples on a missionary journey; every time he says three things: you must preach the kingdom, you are to cure the sick and you are to cast out demons – yet I don’t know if it’s ever admitted,” he said.
Bishop Porteous agrees that avoiding subjects like sin and temptation have been to the detriment of the faith in Australia, and are among the factors that have led some to search for answers in all the wrong places.
“This is an important area. We haven’t talked enough about the devil or temptation, or even the possible spiritual causes of addiction. We talk about addiction as a social problem but not as a spiritual problem,” he said.
“We went through a period where people doubted the existence of Satan, and tended to relate everything to psychological causes, so people basically discounted the area of demonic activity.
“As the Christian vision of life receded into the background, people have uncertainty in their life and get curious for something of a spiritual nature that gives meaning, direction and purpose, so they’re attracted to fortune tellers or various practices like Yoga and Reiki.”
“The general rise of interest in the ‘New Age’ has become a significant source for people coming under the influence of the powers of darkness. Even what may appear innocuous can become the doorway to entry into a dark and dangerous world.
“Yoga can be utilised as a physical exercise. If someone has a strong faith then it may have no detrimental effect.
“But if they don’t and they want to find out more about the spiritual underpinnings of Yoga and (its associated) meditation, it involves suspending or emptying the mind and then it is opened to other spiritual influences.”
Exorcism has always been part of the liturgy of the Church, he said.
“The Lord talks about the power to cast out demons as integral to the mission of the Church. It’s never been seen otherwise,” he said.
While there is a place for the formal Rite of Exorcism to expel demonic spirits who have taken a serious foothold in a person’s life, there is a need to recognise the more common needs of people suffering under various forms of spiritual affliction.
An exorcist must “very carefully discern” whether the problem is psychological or a genuine demonic attack.
Sometimes it can be both. There are also varying levels of spiritual suffering. One level, temptation, comes from the world (rejecting God), the flesh (concupiscence, or being attracted to what is inappropriate) and the devil (“a subtle whispering in our ear suggesting how we can satisfy our cravings”, as the Bishop said in his instruction to Sydney priests).
Another level, oppression, includes addictions – like pornography, binge drinking, smoking or stealing – and can have a psychological dimension, but they can have a demonic dimension as well, the bishop said.
A minor exorcism is traditionally used for oppression, for which a priest does not need his bishop’s permission.
“When you’re really struggling with oppression, some people can manage it with the help of grace and the sacraments; but for others, the normal means of dealing with it just aren’t sufficient, then either it’s a psychological issue and/or a strong demonic element,” Bishop Porteous said.
“People who maybe don’t have much faith before but come under demonic influences have no doubt about the absolute reality of evil, of the devil and demons, and often they become quite devout.”
Though exorcism is a confrontation with real demons, both Father Jordan and Bishop Porteous say they are not afraid.
“Christ has already won the victory,” Father Jordan said.
“Generally speaking I don’t have any fear (during exorcisms) as I’m standing under the protection of Christ and the priesthood, acting in the name of the Church,” Bishop Porteous said.
“Most exorcisms don’t have to be terribly dramatic, most I do aren’t.”
While many exorcisms are a far cry from Hollywood’s sensationalist portrayals in movies like The Exorcist, Father Jordan told The Australian’s national magazine in December last year that some of his battles with possession cannot be explained by science.
“It is nothing to do with mental illness when you see a household where the dog refuses to go into the room where there is a problem; where it is distinctly cold for no reason; where physical contact is made by night visitors and where the cat jumps right through the wire door at the back,” he told The Australian Magazine.
Speaking to Melbourne’s Archdiocesan journal Kairos in April during his visit to Australia, Father Fortea said “we (exorcists) are a sign that Jesus is working in the world – not only in His teaching but also in His words of power”.
“For me, this work has been a gift because it has allowed me to see clearly the action of God, the power of prayer, the power of priesthood and the reality of the spiritual world. This is evidence that God is with us.”
Exorcism on the big screen
The Exorcist (1973)
Based on the 1971 novel by William Peter Blatty. When a teenager is possessed by a mysterious entity, her mother seeks the help of two priests to save her daughter.
Verdict: Considered a realistic depiction of exorcisms, except for the priest agreeing to save the girl by taking her place at the end, which is impossible. The movie deepened the public’s awareness of the reality of evil and actually increased church participation in the US.
Exorcist II – The Heretic (1977)
Fr Lamont is sent by his Cardinal to investigate the death of Fr Lankester Merrin and also to see why Regan was possessed by the demon Pasuzu. When Fr Lamont returns to New York were Regan lives he discovers the demon has reached Regan through Dr Gene Tuskin’s hypnosis machine. Fr Merrin’s spirit returns to help.
Verdict: Mixed response. Some said it was too long and a tad nonsensical, others thought it profound.
The Exorcist III (1990)
Ignoring Exorcist II: The Heretic, this one deals with a serial killer who was executed the same night of the exorcism in the first film with the girl Regan.
Verdict: Again mixed reviews. Some said ‘a house-of-cards plot that constantly collapses’, others thought it an improvement on The Heretic.
Exorcist: The Beginning (2004)
Years before Fr Merrin helped save Regan MacNeil’s soul, he first encounters the demon Pazuzu in East Africa and rediscovers his own faith in the process.
Verdict: Noisy, tries too hard to out-do the original Exorcist. Saving grace is Stellan Skarsgård’s portrayal of Fr Merrin.
Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist (2005)
At an archaeological dig in Africa, Fr Merrin has his first encounter with the devil incarnate having lost his faith. When a church buried beneath the sand is excavated he finds signs of devil worship. When the devil occupies the body of a young patient in the village hospital, Merrin risks his life to save him.
Verdict: Does a better job of addressing Fr Merrin’s back-story and faith issues.
The Last Exorcism (2010)
Filmed documentary style a la Blair Witch Project, a troubled evangelical minister agrees to let his last exorcism be filmed by a documentary crew.
Verdict: Method and subject well-worn, but stellar cast does well to again deal with priest’s faith issues.
The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)
A lawyer takes on a negligent homicide case involving a priest who performed an exorcism on a young girl.
Verdict: Sympathatic towards the Catholic Church; considered a faithful depiction of good and evil.
The Rite (2011)
Inspired by true events, a sceptical American seminary student travels to Italy to take an exorcism course. Based on Matt Baglio’s book
The Rite: The Making of a Modern Exorcist.
Verdict: Considered an education in the reality of evil, but suffers from inevitable comparisons to its many predecessors.