First Advisor

Brumbaugh, Julia

Second Advisor

Geger, Fr. Bart, SJ

Thesis Committee Member(s)

Howe, Jonathan

College

Regis College

Degree Name

BA

School

Regis College Senior Honors Program

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Number of Pages

65 pages

Abstract

In a society where Exorcism is seen by many as something from another realm and even unnecessary because it is viewed as superstitious or hokey, there remains the need for Exorcism to adequately contend with the evil in the world. Evil manifests in humans with demons and Exorcism provides a historically, spiritually, and psychologically profound treatment for those demons. Exorcism meaningfully engages with science to figure out what the foundation for a mental, psychological and spiritual illness is, and works alongside doctors to treat it so that holistic healing can be achieved. This paper argues that we need to recover the place of the Rite of Exorcism and reevaluate its ancient and still wide-spread spiritual practice for modern Catholics. Restoring trust in the practice of Exorcism is a powerful antidote to the reductionist (materialist) visions of human beings in the cosmos, and it provides an enhanced context for imagining wholeness and healing for human beings. There is more to Exorcism than the widely portrayed carnival like freak show that Hollywood so often depicts. It has deep significance and has the potential to restore the relationship between science and religion regarding the treatment of mental and spiritual illness.

Date of Award

Spring 2013

Location (Creation)

Colorado (state); Denver (county); Denver (inhabited place)

Rights Statement

All content in this Collection is owned by and subject to the exclusive control of Regis University and the authors of the materials. It is available only for research purposes and may not be used in violation of copyright laws or for unlawful purposes. The materials may not be downloaded in whole or in part without permission of the copyright holder or as otherwise authorized in the “fair use” standards of the U.S. copyright laws and regulations.

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