Who may perform an exorcism?
Medina Estevez: We should stress that the diocesan bishop’s authorization is required to perform an exorcism. This authorization can be granted for a specific case, or in a general, permanent way to the priest who exercises the ministry of exorcist in the diocese. Why is the exorcism ritual being revised now? Medina Estevez: The Roman Ritual contained the instructions and liturgical text for exorcisms in a special chapter, the final chapter, and this chapter was not revised after the Second Vatican Council. The revision has taken 10 years, resulting in the current text approved by the Supreme Pontiff. One more task still remains: the translation of this Ritual into the languages spoken in the various regions. These translations must be precise and faithful to the Latin original, and must be submitted, in accordance with canon law, for the recognitio of the Congregation for Divine Worship. What is the content of the reformed exorcism ritual? Medina Estevez: The Ritual we are presenting
