Digital Exorcisms? Protocols for Online Deliverance and Pastoral Care

Introduction — Why this matters now

Video calls, livestreams and phone ministry have become routine tools for pastoral care. Some ministers and deliverance practitioners now receive requests for "online deliverance" or hold group deliverance sessions over platforms such as Zoom, Facebook Live or private video calls. While remote ministry can expand access and pastoral reach, it also raises clinical, legal, canonical and safeguarding issues that require clear protocols.

Reporting from congregational ministries and feature journalism documents a growing phenomenon of remote deliverance and phone-based exorcisms in recent years; churches and dioceses are responding with a mix of practical innovation and caution.

Canonical, diocesan and confidentiality considerations

Major (formal) exorcisms and some other rites have canonical requirements: in Catholic practice the Rite of Major Exorcism may only be performed by a priest with the explicit permission of the local ordinary, and dioceses are encouraged to establish protocols that include medical and psychological assessment before referral to an exorcist. Confidentiality and discretion are emphasised in official guidance; publicity and uncontrolled recordings are discouraged.

Many diocesan deliverance protocols also make distinctions between prayers of liberation, prayers for a place, and the rite of exorcism; the former may be practised more broadly while the latter is tightly regulated and normally not something a priest should livestream or broadcast. Documentation and episcopal oversight are recommended.

Telepastoral and telehealth best practices

Pastoral ministers offering care by video should adopt standards drawn from telehealth and telechaplaincy practice: secure and private platforms, explicit informed consent for remote ministry, identity verification, a designated on-site support person for emergencies, and clear boundaries about recording, broadcast and social media use. Mental‑health partners recommend that telecare maintain the same standard of care as in-person services and include contingency plans for risk (self-harm, violent behaviour, medical emergency).

Hospitals and professional chaplaincy services have model telechaplaincy programs that use triage models (call-back, scheduled live visits, or curated lists) and integrate secure documentation into electronic records — a useful blueprint for parish or deliverance teams considering remote sessions. These models also emphasise HIPAA/privacy compliance when clinical information is discussed.

Practical protocol & checklist for online deliverance sessions

The checklist below is designed as a starting point for dioceses, pastoral teams or independent ministers to adapt into formal policy. It is not legal advice; local law and denominational rules may supersede these items.

Before the session

• Initial screening: obtain medical/psychiatric history and documentation; require clinical clearance where indicated. (Ask for recent evaluations and progress notes.)
• Informed consent: explain the limits of remote ministry, confidentiality boundaries, recording policy (explicitly forbid public livestreaming without separate written consent and diocesan approval) and data handling.
• Identity & location: verify the participant’s legal name, date of birth, and current physical address; identify a local emergency contact and a nearby clinician or emergency service in case of crisis.
• Designate a support person: when sessions occur at home, require a sober, competent adult present on site (with the informed consent of the person receiving ministry), unless contraindicated.
• Platform & privacy: use a secure, encrypted video platform compliant with relevant privacy rules; avoid public platforms for sensitive sessions and disable recording unless explicit, documented consent is given and diocesan policy permits it.

During the session

• Start with a safety check: camera and audio functioning, lighting, and that the participant is in a private space.
• Keep interventions proportionate: focus on prayer, pastoral counsel, and referral — avoid coercive practices or physically suggestive commands that cannot be safely executed remotely.
• Maintain professional boundaries: do not solicit donations, perform public "spectacle" deliverance, or encourage sensational content intended for social media.

After the session

• Document the encounter: log attendance, consent forms, clinical referrals provided, and an agreed follow-up plan.
• Follow-up care: schedule in-person assessment when possible; confirm that mental‑health and medical referrals were accepted and arranged.
• Confidentiality & reporting: comply with mandatory reporting laws (e.g., child abuse, imminent harm) and diocesan safeguarding rules; inform participants of any required disclosures before the session.

When not to proceed remotely: active psychosis with violent behaviour, ongoing self-harm or suicide risk, severe medical emergencies, or any situation where the participant cannot provide informed consent. In such cases, discontinue remote ministry and arrange immediate local clinical intervention.

Finally, document local policy decisions and require that any team members who conduct deliverance or prayer ministry remotely receive training in tele‑care, safeguarding, and collaboration with licensed clinicians. Practical caution is especially warranted where sessions are recorded or made public — many ministries and commentators warn against monetising or viralising people in distress.

Suggested next steps for dioceses and pastoral organisations

1. Create a written diocesan tele-deliverance policy that mirrors existing deliverance protocols (medical clearance, episcopal permission when required) and includes a ban or strict controls on public broadcasting of sensitive rites.
2. Establish formal referral pathways with mental health providers and emergency services and require signed releases when clinical information is shared.
3. Offer training modules on telepastoral etiquette, privacy law basics, and digital professionalism for anyone authorised to conduct remote deliverance or spiritual care.

With prudent safeguards, remote pastoral care can be a compassionate complement to in-person ministry. But when deliverance is involved, the risks—to the vulnerable person, to families and to the integrity of ministry—mean that strict protocols, medical collaboration and episcopal oversight are non-negotiable.