Exorcism is the religious practice of expelling demons or other spirits believed to have taken possession of a person, place or object. Found in many cultures from ancient Mesopotamia to the present, it is best known in Christianity through the Gospel accounts of Jesus and the formal Catholic rite, but it also appears in Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism.
Exorcism at a glance
| Etymology | Greek exorkizein, "to bind by oath" or adjure |
|---|---|
| Found in | Mesopotamian, Jewish, Christian, Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist and folk traditions |
| Catholic rite | Rituale Romanum (1614); revised rite issued 1999 |
| Catholic requirement | Solemn exorcism only by a priest with the bishop's permission |
| Islamic practice | Ruqyah, recitation of the Quran over the afflicted |
Meaning and ancient origins
The word comes from the Greek exorkizein, to bind by oath or to adjure: the exorcist commands the spirit, in the name of a higher power, to depart. The underlying idea, that illness and misfortune can be caused by hostile spirits that may be driven out, is extremely old. Mesopotamian cuneiform texts preserve long series of incantations used by specialist priests against demons blamed for disease, and Egyptian magical papyri contain similar formulas.
Belief in possession is widespread in world cultures, and many societies have ritual specialists, such as shamans and healers, whose role includes negotiating with or expelling spirits. Anthropologists study these practices as part of how communities explain suffering and restore social order, without needing to decide whether the spirits exist.
Judaism and early Christianity
The Hebrew Bible contains few exorcism narratives, but the Book of Tobit tells how Tobias drives away the demon Asmodeus using smoke from a fish's heart and liver. The historian Josephus described a Jewish exorcist named Eleazar who expelled a demon before the future emperor Vespasian using incantations attributed to Solomon. Later Jewish folklore tells of the dybbuk, a wandering soul that clings to a living person and must be removed by a rabbi.
In the Gospels, casting out demons is a central sign of Jesus's ministry, as in the story of the Gerasene man possessed by "Legion" (Mark 5). The early church continued the practice, and exorcism became part of preparation for baptism. "Exorcist" was for centuries one of the minor orders of clergy in the Latin Church, until that order was abolished in 1972.
The Catholic rite
The Catholic Church distinguishes minor exorcisms, such as the prayers in the baptismal rite, from major or solemn exorcism for cases of believed demonic possession. The latter was standardized in the Rituale Romanum of 1614, and a revised rite, De exorcismis et supplicationibus quibusdam, was issued in 1999. Under canon law, a solemn exorcism may be performed only by a priest with the express permission of the local bishop.
Church guidance instructs priests to proceed with caution and to make sure the person's condition is not a psychological or physical illness, and many dioceses involve medical and psychiatric professionals. Traditional signs cited in the ritual, such as speaking unknown languages or showing unusual strength, are considered indications rather than proof. The International Association of Exorcists, founded in the early 1990s by the Roman priest Gabriele Amorth, later received formal recognition from the Vatican.
Other religious traditions
- Protestant Christianity: many Pentecostal and charismatic churches practice "deliverance ministry," praying for release from demonic influence, often without the formal liturgy of the Catholic rite.
- Islam: belief in jinn is part of Islamic teaching, and ruqyah, the recitation of Quranic verses and prayers over a sufferer, is the accepted means of seeking relief. Tradition identifies Iblis as the leader of rebellious jinn.
- Hinduism and Buddhism: temple rites, mantras and protective rituals are used against troubling spirits in many regions of South and East Asia, and Tibetan Buddhism has elaborate rites for subduing obstructive forces.
- Zoroastrianism: prayers invoking divine protectors such as Sraosha are recited to repel demonic beings (daevas).
Medical and skeptical perspectives
Modern medicine and psychology explain most reported cases of possession in terms of conditions such as dissociative disorders, epilepsy, psychosis or intense cultural and social expectations. Psychiatric classification recognizes possession-form experiences within dissociative disorders, while noting that trance and possession states that are accepted parts of a culture's religious practice are not in themselves disorders.
Critics warn that exorcism can cause real harm when it delays medical treatment or involves physical restraint, and there have been deaths during exorcisms in several countries. Religious authorities that practice exorcism generally stress that it must be combined with medical care. Popular culture, especially William Peter Blatty's 1971 novel The Exorcist and the 1973 film based on it, has shaped public images of the rite far more than actual practice. For related topics, see poltergeist and bell, book and candle.
Related entries
On The Mystica today: Psychic protection · Protection symbols
Frequently asked questions
Does the Catholic Church still perform exorcisms?
Yes. The Catholic Church retains a formal rite of exorcism, revised in 1999. A solemn exorcism may only be performed by a priest authorized by the local bishop, and church guidance requires that medical and psychological causes be considered first. Most requests handled by diocesan exorcists do not lead to a formal exorcism.
What is the difference between exorcism and deliverance?
Exorcism usually refers to a formal ritual, such as the Catholic rite, performed by an authorized minister to expel a possessing spirit. Deliverance is a broader term used in Pentecostal and charismatic Protestant churches for prayer to free a person from demonic influence, often led by lay ministers and without a fixed liturgy.
Is there scientific evidence for demonic possession?
No controlled scientific evidence supports the existence of demonic possession. Researchers explain reported cases through dissociation, neurological or psychiatric conditions, suggestion and cultural expectations. At the same time, anthropologists and psychiatrists stress that possession beliefs are meaningful within religious communities and that sufferers deserve respectful care, including medical treatment.
Sources and further reading
This entry replaces an article from the original Mystica encyclopedia (online since 2001). It was rewritten from the sources above by The Mystica Editorial Team under our editorial standards. Last reviewed: September 30, 2026.