Code of Canon Law – Canon 1172 (1983): The canonical discipline of exorcism

# The Code of Canon Law (Codex Iuris Canonici, 1983)Promulgated by Saint John Paul II, the *Codex Iuris Canonici* (CIC) contains Canon 1172, which provides fundamental legal regulation regarding who can perform exorcism. It is the current canonical text governing the discipline of the ministry of exorcism in contemporary Latin Church Catholicism.## Table: Key Information| Document | Codex Iuris Canonici (CIC, 1983) | Promulgation | Canon | Topic | |—|—|—|—|—| | Date | January 25, 1983 | Saint John Paul II | 1172 § 1 and § 2 | Exorcism, who can perform |## Latin Text of Canon 1172> **Can. 1172 § 1.** Nemo exorcismos in obsessos proferre legitime potest, nisi ab Ordinario loci peculiarem et expressam licentiam obtinuerit.> **§ 2.** Haec licentia ab Ordinario loci concedatur tantummodo presbytero pietate, scientia, prudentia ac vitae integritate praedito.## Portuguese Translation of Canon 1172> **Cân. 1172 § 1.** Ninguém pode pronunciar legitimamente exorcismos sobre os possessos, salvo se tiver obtido do Ordinário do lugar peculiar e expressa licença.> **§ 2.** Esta licença seja concedida pelo Ordinário do lugar somente a um sacerdote dotado de piedade, ciência, prudência e integridade de vida.## The Four Requirements for an ExorcistThe canon establishes four mandatory qualities for the exorcist priest:– **Pietas:** Deep spiritual life, constant prayer, Marian devotion – **Scientia:** Solid knowledge in theology (sacramental, spiritual, moral, demonology) and human sciences (psychology, psychiatry) – **Prudentia:** Sober discernment between real demonic action and natural psychosomatic phenomena – **Vitae integritas:** Morally blameless life, fidelity to vows, absence of scandals## Who Can Grant the LicenseThe canon specifies “*Ordinarius loci*”, the Ordinary of the place. In canonical terms, Ordinaries are:– Diocesan Bishop – Vicar General – Vicar Episcopal – Diocesan Administrator (in a vacancy) – Personal Prelates (Ordinary States)In practice, it is usually the Diocesan Bishop who grants the license after a serious process of discernment.## Solemn Exorcism vs. Simple ExorcismCanon 1172 refers to the *solemn or major exorcism* on persons presumed possessed. There are two forms of exorcism in the Church:| Type | Who Can Perform | When | |—|—|—| | Solemn (Major) Exorcism | Only priest with express license from the bishop | Person presumed possessed, after medical-psychological discernment | | Simple (Minor) Exorcism | Any priest or deacon | Baptism of children and adults: blessing of water, salt, etc. | | Prayers for Liberation | Any faithful | Private prayer against the Evil One |## Exorcisms at BaptismThe CIC also addresses exorcisms performed during baptism, ensuring that they are integrated into the sacramental ritual in accordance with Church teachings.# Baptismal Ritual and ExorcismsAll Baptismal rituals (for children and adults) include simple exorcisms, which are automatically performed in any Catholic baptism. The *Rituale Romanum* has two pre-baptismal exorcisms:– **”Exorcismus catechumenorum”:** repeated exorcisms during the catechesis period (adult catechumens) – **”Exorcismus infantium”:** a single exorcism before infant baptismThese exorcisms are termed “minor” as they are part of the ordinary ritual and do not require special permission.## Eastern Catholic Churches Code of Canon Law (CCEO)The *Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches* (1990) has a parallel provision:> **Canon 988 § 1 (CCEO):** Priests have the power to perform exorcisms on possessed individuals, but they require special and express permission from their own hierarch to use them lawfully. > > **§ 2:** Such permission should only be granted by the hierarch to priests who are pious, knowledgeable, prudent, and of integrity.## Additional Pastoral Discipline: Documents from the Holy See### Letter from the CDF to Bishops (September 29, 1985)The Sacred Congregation for Doctrine of Faith sent a letter to all bishops reminding them of the limitations set by Canon 1172:– Laypeople, even religious, cannot perform solemn exorcisms. – Even a priest without express permission may not lawfully perform a solemn exorcism. – “Liberation prayers” from charismatic movements are not equivalent to solemn exorcisms.### Document *”Inde ab aliquot annis”* (1985)This document reaffirms the same points as the 1985 letter and establishes canonical penalties for violations.### Exorcist’s Handbook (Vatican, 2018-2020)An internal document for exorcists and bishops, providing practical criteria for discernment.## Hierarchical Structure of Exorcism Ministry| Level | Function | |—|—| | Pope | Universal discipline, approved *Rituale Romanum* (1614/1925) and *De Exorcismis* (1999) | | CDF | Doctrinal and practical discipline in extraordinary cases | | Congregation for the Clergy | Approves International Association of Exorcists (2014) | | Diocesan Bishops | Grant express permission to priests (Canon 1172) | | Exorcist Priests | Perform solemn exorcisms in discerned cases | | Deacons and Laypeople | Private prayers for liberation, intercession |## LegacyCanon 1172 serves as the legal basis for:– The *Ritual of Exorcism* (1999) – Diocesan practice of officially appointing “exorcists” in writing – Specialized training for exorcists (Sacred Institute Sacerdos Roma, Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas) – International Association of Exorcists (1991, recognized 2014)

Supplementary Reading

Exorcism Ritual 1999 | Leão XIII Exorcism 1890 | CDF Faith and Demonology 1975 | Paul VI Confrontation with the Devil 1972