The Scary Stuff

[Aloysius]

any Christian can perform an exorcism, right? cuz the Bible clearly shows you don't need to have Apostolic Authority nor Holy Orders. i mean, of course the demon would fear a priest who actually can bring Christ's Body and Blood to people under the appearance of bread and wine, but if i encountered a demonic possession i could do an exorcism right?

also, is it alright to recite exorcism prayers just when there's a normal temptation there, like of course you're not posessed but you're being tormented with temptation, are exorcism prayers good there?

thanx a bunch.

[BLAZEr]

Exorcism's can only be performed by Bishops or their representative priests. They are not validly performed by laity. Lay people can pray prayers of deliverance, but they are specifically instructed by the Church NOT to address the devil or demons directly. All prayers of deliverance must be addressed and directed to the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, or implore the intercession of the Saints and Angels.

Whether the people in the bible who cast out demons are priests or not is irrelevant. The Church has instructed that exorcisms only be performed by validly ordained bishops or their validly ordained priest representative.

[Carson Weber]

Exorcisms can only be performed by the ministers of the Church (the ordained). Lay faithful may perform a "deliverance" per BLAZEr's instruction above. The difference between the two is that the former is a formal prayer of the Church that is more powerful.