Deliverance vs. Exorcism

Deliverance vs. Exorcism

What every Catholic may do, and what belongs to the priest the bishop appoints.

“The solemn exorcism, called ‘a major exorcism,’ can be performed only by a priest and with the permission of the bishop.” The Catechism adds that “illness, especially psychological illness, is a very different matter; treating this is the concern of medical science,” so before an exorcism “it is important to ascertain that one is dealing with the presence of the Evil One, and not an illness” (Catechism 1673; Code of Canon Law, canon 1172).

Fr. Reehil explains the difference in practice. The Rite of Exorcism is a fixed set of prayers that only an appointed exorcist may use:

“It’s an exact formulation of specific prayers in a specific order to deliver the person from the demon.”Fr. Dan Reehil, Shawn Ryan Show #141 at 1:31:44

Deliverance prayers, by contrast, can come “from the heart.” (Shawn Ryan Show #141 at 1:31:57)

• Pray for your own protection. Fr. Ripperger says every Christian who prays regularly “can pray for your own protection.” (Tucker Carlson at 1:38:24)
• Rebuke temptation in yourself. Msgr. Rossetti: “Over themselves. Yes, you do have authority.” (Lila Rose Show E243 at 2:12:01)
• Pray for those in your care, within the family authority described in Step 4.
• Use deprecatory prayers for others: prayers that ask God to act, rather than commands addressed to demons.

“Say some deliverance prayers as a group, you know, breathe the scriptures, pray to Mary, pray to Jesus, ask the Lord to cast out the demons. Those prayers are very powerful.”Msgr. Stephen Rossetti, Lila Rose Show E243 at 2:12:52

Msgr. Rossetti is firm that lay people should not confront demons directly, interrogate them, or use the exorcism prayers:

“Don’t look at the demons.”Msgr. Stephen Rossetti, Lila Rose Show E243 at 2:09:51

He explains that an exorcist acts with “the protection and authority” of the Church, which lay people do not have. (Lila Rose Show E243 at 2:11:32) Fr. Ripperger warns that lay people who try to liberate the possessed may find the attack shifted to those around them:

“Lay people who get a bit too involved in this area where they’re trying to liberate people who are possessed… their families are just decimated.”Fr. Chad Ripperger, Shawn Ryan Show #285 at 2:37:20

Start with the ordinary means (Step 3): confession, Mass, daily prayer, and removing anything occult. If trouble persists, talk to your parish priest. He can pray with you, bless your home, and, if needed, contact the diocese. Exorcists work through their own dioceses; Msgr. Rossetti puts it simply: “If you need an exorcist, go to your own diocese.” (A Reason For Hope Podcast at 0:18:50)

Fr. Reehil describes the usual path: many people are freed through prayer, routine and confession; others receive deliverance prayers, “and usually it does” help, but “they have to reconnect to God.” (Shawn Ryan Show #141 at 1:44:06)

If you or someone you love is struggling, start with your parish priest. If there is any risk of self-harm, call or text 988 (the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) or 911 right away. Spiritual help and medical help work together; the Church asks that illness be ruled out first (Catechism 1673).

Step 5 of 8

← Previous: Protecting Your Family and Marriage

• Catechism of the Catholic Church 1673; Code of Canon Law, canon 1172
• Shawn Ryan Show #141, Fr. Dan Reehil
• Lila Rose Show E243, Msgr. Stephen Rossetti
• Tucker Carlson, Fr. Chad Ripperger
• Shawn Ryan Show #285, Fr. Chad Ripperger
• A Reason For Hope Podcast, Msgr. Stephen Rossetti
• The Catholic Talk Show, Fr. Carlos Martins
• Saint John XXIII Catholic Church, Fr. Gary Thomas
• Catholic Education Matters, Fr. Vincent Lampert

Quotes come from the interviews’ captions, lightly punctuated, with links to the exact moment so you can hear them in full context. Video descriptions summarize each conversation; they are not quotations.