Msgr Rossetti

Response: The issue of laity casting out demons is a hotly debated subject. The Church has never formally answered this question about deliverance praying. In a September 29, 1985 document from the Vatican's CDF, they said that a solemn exorcism can only be performed by a priest with a mandate from his bishop. They did not speak directly about deliverance prayers. But they did say that the Leo XIII minor exorcism prayers may not be used by the laity and also that they should not be directly questioning demons or asking their names.

I think what should be guiding us is "pastoral prudence." It is not prudent, in my mind, for laity to be confronting someone who may have a demonic affliction and "taking authority" over the person's demons and commanding them to leave. This direct confrontation with demons can stem from spiritual pride or, at the least, imprudence and thus open the person to a demonic reprisal. Sadly, this has happened. Moreover, do laity have the authority to do so? One does not "take authority;" you either have it or you don't.

But this does not mean that the laity have no role in casting out demons. There are unique individuals, by dint of a personal charism, who can cast out demons. This is the realm of the great saints, such as St. Catherine of Siena. But these individuals are rare and their charism should be confirmed by the Church. Also, parents do have authority over their own children who are minors, and also spouses have authority over each other, and we all have authority over our own bodies. So, in these circumstances, the person can legitimately exercise this God-given authority and cast out demons.

The USCCB, in its document- Exorcism Q and A's, June 29, 2017 recognized that some deprecatory deliverance prayers used by the laity are appropriate. It said: "Thus, the prayers in Appendix II, 'Supplications which May be Used by the Faithful Privately in Their Struggle against the Powers of Darkness' may be offered by the clergy or any member of the lay faithful."

Thus, I would not recommend that the laity use "imperative" prayers, that is, facing demons directly and commanding them to leave. I think it most prudent for them to address God/Jesus and ask God to cast them out. On our website and APP, there are a number of these "deprecatory" prayers which are suitable for the laity to use, listed under: "Deliverance Prayers for the Laity." We should not underestimate the power of these deprecatory prayers since it is God himself who hears and answers. In fact, in some exorcisms we have witnessed that apparently the most effective moment in some exorcisms were these deprecatory prayers.

Prayer groups who believe they have a special charism in this ministry of deliverance should be directly supervised by a priest who is present at such sessions. The priest, who acts "in persona Christi," has a specific authority and levels of protection which can act as a safeguard for all involved.