(2 of 3)
Indeed, the practice has fallen on hard times in the wake of Vatican II. Candidates for the Catholic priesthood no longer pass through the minor order of exorcist en route to ordination. The official baptism ritual, which included an ancient exorcism formula ("Accursed devil, come forward and acknowledge your condemnation . . ."), today concentrates on asking God to / fill the child with his grace rather than expelling the power of darkness.
Nonetheless, the official Roman Ritual still includes a rite of exorcism. The code of canon law includes rules for exorcism, specifying that only a bishop may authorize one. Rome still holds fast to belief in Satan: in a 1986 sermon, Pope John Paul insisted upon the reality of a personal devil and recognized the possibility of demonic possession. The secret draft for a forthcoming Catechism for the Universal Church, now being examined by the world's bishops, continues the traditional teachings about Satan and fallen angels.
It is impossible to know exactly how many Catholic exorcisms occur these days, since, as one priest observes, "It's not a thing people talk about." In the ritual, a priest places his hand on a person's forehead and recites the prescribed words: "I cast you out, unclean spirit, along with every satanic power of the enemy, every specter from hell, and all your fell companions, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." In addition to such ritual bouts, Catholic priests are occasionally called upon to pronounce blessings to ward off weird and possibly sinister occurrences. Just two weeks ago, for example, an Indianapolis priest uttered such prayers at the home of a teenage devil worshiper. The reason: objects kept moving about inexplicably.
As that case illustrates, the practice of Satanism seems to be widespread in the U.S., even as the notion of Satan loses currency in the seminaries. Father Richard Rento of Clifton, N.J., who frequently speaks about Satanism among the young, first became involved when a 15-year-old student attempted suicide, saying he wanted to meet Satan. Explains the priest: "It has become my work to inform parents and children that Satanism is not a lark. It often means tragedy and death for the child and for others." In January 1988 a fixation upon Satan played a part in a New Jersey matricide-suicide case.
Clergy are not the only professionals concerned about the problem. Judith Schechtman, a clinical social worker for the St. Louis police and the State of Missouri, says there is a dramatic increase in reports of serious, highly secretive satanic cults that practice bizarre rituals to cloak animal torture, drug abuse, pedophilia and child pornography. Such cases are unusual, she says, but extremely damaging to youths. "In the worst-case scenario, therapy can take years."
Social worker Dale Trahan, a Chicago expert, believes pop Satanism, often inspired by heavy-metal music or games like Dungeons & Dragons, sometimes leads youths into the real thing. He notes that cults play upon the feelings of powerlessness that afflict millions of teens. Thus therapy seeks to improve social skills and build self-esteem.