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Exorcisms and Liberation Prayers

The accusations regarding exorcisms practiced by the Heralds of the Gospel (Arautos do Evangelho) were widely publicized by the media and the documentary "Slaves of Faith". Canonical and historical analysis demonstrates that the practices performed were private exorcisms (liberation prayers), perfectly licit under Canon Law, and that the invocation of saints and founders during liberation prayers is a centuries-old tradition of the Catholic Church.

Contents
  1. The accusations
  2. Canon Law: solemn vs. private exorcism
  3. Judicial Vicar's opinion
  4. Diocesan Bishop's position
  5. Catholic tradition of invoking saints
  6. CDF investigation

The accusations

Accusation presented in the documentary
"Eles trocam 'em nome de Jesus' com os fundadores. Entao nao e Deus vai tirar, e Plinio, Lucilia e Joao."
[They replace "in the name of Jesus" with the founders. So it's not God who will remove it, it's Plinio, Lucilia, and Joao.]
-- Testimony in the documentary "Slaves of Faith"
Media accusation
"Rituais proprios, conversando com o diabo."
[Their own rituals, talking to the devil.]
-- TVT, investigative report

The narrative constructed by the media and documentary suggests the Heralds practiced heterodox rituals, invoking their founders in place of God or Jesus Christ. Analysis of the facts and Canon Law reveals a very different reality.

Canon Law: solemn vs. private exorcism

Documented facts

Canon Law makes a fundamental distinction between two types of exorcism:

  • Solemn exorcism (Canon 1172): Requires express permission from the diocesan Bishop. This is the formal ritual of the Rituale Romanum.
  • Private exorcism (liberation prayer): May be performed by any priest without episcopal permission. It consists of deprecatory prayers, invocation of saints, and laying on of hands.

The practices performed by the Heralds' priests fell under the category of private exorcisms (liberation prayers), for which no special authorization is required.

Judicial Vicar's opinion

Documented facts

The Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Braganca Paulista, Fr. Dr. Rogerio Ramos, CSsR, issued a formal opinion on July 24, 2018, in which he concluded:

"Nenhum ato ilicito foi cometido."
[No illicit act was committed.]
-- Fr. Dr. Rogerio Ramos, CSsR, Judicial Vicar of Braganca Paulista, 07/24/2018 (Book, Annex 3)

The opinion analyzed in detail the liberation prayer practices performed and concluded they were in full compliance with Canon Law and Church tradition.

Diocesan Bishop's position

Documented facts

The Bishop of Braganca Paulista, Dom Sergio Colombo, was informed of the practices and expressed satisfaction, offering pastoral guidance for possible improvements.

Source: Book, Annex 2

The satisfaction of the diocesan Bishop -- who is the competent authority to judge liturgical and para-liturgical practices in his diocese -- constitutes a determining element for evaluating the lawfulness of the prayers.

Catholic tradition of invoking saints

The accusation that the Heralds "replaced" Jesus with their founders during exorcisms ignores a centuries-old and well-documented tradition of the Catholic Church. The invocation of saints and founders during liberation prayers is a common and recognized practice:

Saint Ignatius of Loyola (1598, Modena)

Historical precedent

In exorcisms performed in Modena in 1598, demons reportedly exclaimed:

"Sai desse osso uma chama que me queima! Inacio me expulsa!"
[A flame comes from this bone that burns me! Ignatius drives me out!]
-- Historical account of the Modena exorcism, 1598. The episode was immortalized in a painting by Peter Paul Rubens.

This episode demonstrates that the invocation of religious order founders during exorcisms has a precedent of more than four centuries in the Catholic Church. Sources: Apostolado Pequena Via and JAMA Psychiatry.

Padre Pio of Pietrelcina

Historical precedent

Fr. Gabriele Amorth, official exorcist of the Diocese of Rome for decades, reported that he frequently invoked Padre Pio during exorcisms. According to his accounts, demons reacted with terror:

"Esse frade, nao! Padre Pio, nao!"
[Not that friar! Not Padre Pio!]
-- Demonic reaction reported by Fr. Gabriele Amorth, exorcist of Rome

Fr. Amorth publicly stated: "Padre Pio is often with me during exorcisms, and the devil fears him." (Source: Aleteia, 02/14/2018)

Litany of the Saints

Liturgical precedent

The Rite of Exorcism (Rituale Romanum) itself includes the Litany of the Saints, in which dozens of saints are invoked by name during the ritual. Invoking saints during exorcisms is not merely permitted -- it is an integral part of the official rite of the Church.

CDF investigation

Documented facts

The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith investigated accusations of crimes against the sixth commandment with minors and of violation of the sacramental seal attributed to Mons. Joao -- and dismissed the case (pro nunc reponatur), officially communicated by the Apostolic Nuncio on 02/28/2019 (Book, Annex 12). Regarding the liberation prayers themselves, the Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Braganca Paulista (Fr. Dr. Rogerio Ramos, CSsR) concluded in a formal opinion dated 07/24/2018 that no illicit act was committed (Book, Annex 3).

See also

References

  1. Book, Annex 3 -- Opinion of Fr. Dr. Rogerio Ramos, CSsR, 07/24/2018
  2. Book, Annex 2 -- Position of Bishop Dom Sergio Colombo
  3. Canon 1172 -- Code of Canon Law
  4. Apostolado Pequena Via -- "The exorcistic power of Saint Ignatius of Loyola" (04/09/2021)
  5. Aleteia -- "Padre Pio is often with me during exorcisms, and the devil fears him" (02/14/2018)
  6. JAMA Psychiatry -- Reference to the Modena exorcism (1598)
  7. Prot. 16958/19 Rome -- CDF investigation, dismissed
Categories: Accusations Exorcisms Canon Law Liberation Prayers