International Association of Exorcists
Encyclopedia
International Association of Exorcists is a Roman Catholic organization that was founded in 1990 by six priest
s including the world-famous exorcist
of Rome
, Father Gabriele Amorth
and Father Jeremy Davies.
Within the Catholic Church a priest may only do an exorcism with the express consent of his bishop or local ordinary, and only, to the extent necessary, after an examination of the patient by doctors and psychologists in order to determine the affliction has no natural origin. A priest is required by canon law
to be devout, knowledgeable, prudent, and possess integrity of life.
Father Amorth began the organization in the hopes of increasing the number of official exorcists worldwide and to alert more diocese
of the problem, which he believes has been ignored or suppressed by some priests and bishops. Although Father Amorth is the honorary president, the current acting president is Father Giancarlo Gramolazzo
.
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
s including the world-famous exorcist
Exorcist
In some religions an exorcist is a person who is believed to be able to cast out the devil or other demons. A priest, a nun, a monk, a healer, a shaman or other specially prepared or instructed person can be an exorcist...
of Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, Father Gabriele Amorth
Gabriele Amorth
Gabriele Amorth is an Italian Roman Catholic priest and an exorcist of the Diocese of Rome who claims to have cleansed tens of thousands of people of evil spirits. Controversially, he believes that practising yoga is satanic and leads to evil just like reading JK Rowling’s Harry Potter...
and Father Jeremy Davies.
History
Although the membership is restricted and exclusive, by 2000 there were over two hundred members. A priest must have permission of his bishop to join and they meet bi-annually in Rome. The association sends out a quarterly newsletter where members can tell of particularly difficult or interesting cases.Within the Catholic Church a priest may only do an exorcism with the express consent of his bishop or local ordinary, and only, to the extent necessary, after an examination of the patient by doctors and psychologists in order to determine the affliction has no natural origin. A priest is required by canon law
Canon law
Canon law is the body of laws & regulations made or adopted by ecclesiastical authority, for the government of the Christian organization and its members. It is the internal ecclesiastical law governing the Catholic Church , the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches, and the Anglican Communion of...
to be devout, knowledgeable, prudent, and possess integrity of life.
Father Amorth began the organization in the hopes of increasing the number of official exorcists worldwide and to alert more diocese
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
of the problem, which he believes has been ignored or suppressed by some priests and bishops. Although Father Amorth is the honorary president, the current acting president is Father Giancarlo Gramolazzo
Giancarlo Gramolazzo
Father Giancarlo Gramolazzo was an Italian Roman Catholic priest who served as an exorcist. He was the president of the International Association of Exorcists until his death....
.