Who can perform Exorcisms?

It must be made clear, that

• all the Christian Faithful can licitly offer “Prayers of Liberation” or “Deliverance Prayers” for themselves or others.
• The Christian Lay Faithful can also do “command prayers against the evil spirits” but only for themselves or for those under their moral tutelage and legitimate care (e.g. parents to their children, guardians to their wards, religious superiors to their community members)
• Only priests can perform “Minor Exorcisms” for others.

Who can do a solemn (major) exorcisms?

Only a priest duly mandated or authorized by the bishop of where the rite of exorcism is to be done can legitimately perform an exorcism over the possessed. He is also strictly commanded to observe the demands of the Roman Ritual of Exorcism when performing one.

Code of Canon Law

Can. 1172 §1. No one can perform exorcisms legitimately upon the possessed unless he has obtained special and express permission from the local ordinary.

§2. The local ordinary is to give this permission only to a presbyter who has piety, knowledge, prudence, and integrity of life.

2000 Rite

Praenotanda 13. The power to minister exorcism to those possessed is granted by special and expressed permission of the local Ordinary, who will, as a rule, be the diocesan bishop himself. Such permission must be granted only to a priest possessing devotion, knowledge, prudence, and integrity of life, who has undergone specific preparation for this function. The priest, in fact to whom the role of exorcist is entrusted, whether on a regular basis or for a specific occasion, must carry out this work of charity with faith and humility, under the direction of the bishop of the diocese. When the term “exorcist” is used…, it must always be taken to mean “priest-exorcist.” (Exorcisms and Certain Supplications. International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. 2013)

Instruction on Prayers for Healing

Art. 8 – § 1. The ministry of exorcism must be exercised in strict dependence on the Diocesan Bishop, and in keeping with the norm of can. 1172, the Letter of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith of September 29, 1985, and the Rituale Romanum. (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Instruction on Prayers for Healing, 14 September 2000.)