О силе Креста в духовной брани: экзорцизм в католической Церкви в Польше

The paper is devoted to the issue of the exorcistate in the light of the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church. The author stresses the importance of the proclamation by the Holy See – in the person of Pope John Paul II – of the revised Rite of Exorcism in 1999. The main body of the paper presents statistical data related to the issue of exorcisms performed by priests in Poland. Also emphasized is the need for cooperation between exorcists, physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, and lay persons. Moreover, the reasons for the influence of evil spirits over people were examined, in particular – the negative impact on the state of mind of an individual resulting from Satanism, occultism, and idolatry. Also cited were quantitative and qualitative indicators for people suffering from possession. The Author identifies different types of influence, and – consequently – different types of care which should be provided to those afflicted. In summary, he points to the need for proper preparation of seminarians in diocesan seminaries to perform such service, including the development of a textbook (a sort of handbook for exorcists), and a prayer book for priests officiating the rites aimed at releasing people from the evil spirit.