Praktyka egzorcyzmów w Kościele

Abstract

Numerous evangelical texts present Jesus’ public life as a victory over Satan. Jesus drives out evil spirits with a word and power which he possesses. Texts featuring exorcisms contain a dialog between Jesus and not a sick person but an evil spirit. Miracles – Christ’s exorcisms are a flag symbol of the coming of the Kingdom of God. Messiah’s actions demonstrated in New Testament are the source of Christian service of evicting demons. Jesus commanded His followers to expel evil spirits in his name. In the post-apostolic church the practice of exorcising is done during the baptismal ceremony. Since the 12th century the service of expelling has weakened and since the 13th century under the influence of rationalism and empirical sciences very little has been mentioned about the presence of Satan. Consequently it led to the crisis lasting until modern times. The turning point in changing the church views on this issue was Pope Paul VI’s attitude and his statements. Nowadays, the practice of exorcising is developing intensively. The evidence for it is a new Ritual approved by Pope John Paul II in 1998 and a growing number of appointed priests to the function of exorcist and their regular formation, as well.