Safeguarding and Consent: Drafting a Diocese-Level Exorcism Policy

Introduction: Why a Diocese-Level Policy Matters

Requests for deliverance and exorcism are rare but sensitive. When they arise they touch pastoral care, clinical health, canon law and civil safeguarding obligations. A clear diocesan policy reduces risk, ensures consistent decision-making, protects vulnerable people, and supports clergy who minister in these cases. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) recommends that every diocese establish a formal protocol for responding to claims of demonic affliction and that medical and psychological assessment form part of that protocol.

Canonical and Legal Foundations

Any diocesan policy must be consistent with canon law and national safeguarding legislation. Canon 1172 and related Vatican guidance make clear that the Rite of Major Exorcism requires the express permission of the local Ordinary and that the ministry should be exercised only by priests who are suitably endowed with piety, knowledge, prudence and integrity of life. Diocesan bishops therefore have both the authority and the responsibility to set local norms, appoint and authorise exorcists, and require oversight.

At the civil level, diocesan policies must also align with local child protection, vulnerable-adult and reporting laws. Where conflicts or grey areas exist between pastoral practice and civil obligations, diocesan legal counsel should be consulted before any rite is authorized.

Core Components of a Diocesan Exorcism Policy

A robust diocesan policy should include the following elements. Below each item is a brief explanation and recommended operational rule.

• Scope & Definitions: Define terms (deliverance ministry, major exorcism, minor deliverance, afflicted, alleged possession) and clarify which rites require episcopal permission.
• Referral Pathway & Initial Assessment: Mandate that all requests begin with a parish priest referral and a documented intake. Require standardised forms and preliminary pastoral assessment.
• Medical & Mental-Health Clearance: Require documented consultation with a qualified medical professional and a licensed mental-health clinician before referral to an authorised exorcist; the USCCB and multiple diocesan policies advise medical/psychiatric assessment prior to exorcism proceedings.
• Consent & Capacity: Obtain informed consent from the adult subject; for minors or persons lacking capacity, require parental/guardian consent plus a safeguarding officer review and, where appropriate, independent capacity assessment.
• Safeguarding & Vulnerable Persons: Integrate diocesan safeguarding policy: background checks for team members, mandatory reporting obligations, limits on physical contact, presence of chaperones and gender-appropriate accompaniment. The Church of England guidance highlights consultation with medical professionals and careful consent processes for vulnerable people.
• Team Composition & Training: Require the exorcist be authorised by the bishop, not to act alone, and to work with at least one trained priest and a lay pastoral assistant or clinician present. Record required training, continuing education and insurance. The USCCB advises against solitary ministry.
• Confidentiality & Communications: Set rules for confidentiality, limited disclosure within chancery, and media handling. Prohibit live-streaming or public spectacle.
• Facilities & Safety: Specify approved locations (chapel, oratory, diocesan facility), physical safety measures, emergency medical plan, and a prohibition on restraint unless legally and clinically justified and documented.
• Documentation & Recordkeeping: Maintain secure case files (intake forms, medical clearances, consent documents, session notes) and a retention schedule consistent with diocesan records policy and legal requirements.
• Complaints, Review & Liability: Provide a clear complaints process, regular case review by a diocesan board (e.g., clergy, canonist, mental health professional, safeguarding officer), and ensure diocesan insurance covers authorised ministers. UK and US diocesan guidance recommend insurance and oversight provisions.

Operational Checklist and Sample Clauses

Below is a concise operational checklist and a short sample consent clause your chancery can adapt.

Operational checklist (minimum requirements)

• Parish referral and documented intake form received.
• Medical evaluation completed and signed by treating clinician (or documented refusal).
• Psychiatric/psychological assessment completed when indicated.
• Bishop’s written permission for any Rite of Major Exorcism (Canon 1172).
• Team members identified, DBS/background checks completed where applicable, and safeguarding officer informed.
• Informed consent obtained and stored in the case file (or legal guardian consent for those lacking capacity).
• Venue confirmed; emergency medical plan and contact numbers available.
• Post-session pastoral care plan and follow-up appointments scheduled.

Sample informed-consent clause (adapt to local law)

"I hereby consent to participate in the diocesan deliverance/exorcism ministry under the authority of the Bishop of [Diocese]. I confirm that I have received and understand information about the nature of the ministry, alternatives (including medical and psychological care), the recommended medical/psychological evaluations, and my right to refuse or withdraw consent at any time. I authorize the release of relevant medical and mental-health information to the designated diocesan clinicians for the purpose of assessment and safe care planning."

Require signatures, date, witness and clinician acknowledgment fields on any consent form.

Implementation: Governance, Training and Review

Practical rollout steps for a diocesan chancery:

1. Form a temporary working group: include the bishop's delegate, chancery legal counsel, diocesan safeguarding officer, a practising parish priest, a licensed mental-health professional and a canon lawyer.
2. Draft policy using available diocesan and international templates; consult diocesan insurers and civil counsel to close legal gaps.
3. Run a pilot process for handling referrals and audit the pilot after 6 months. Many dioceses (for example, Arlington and Orange) maintain published processes that begin with parish-level referral and require medical consultation prior to diocesan involvement.
4. Institute mandatory training modules for authorised ministers and a yearly multidisciplinary case-review board (safeguarding officer, clinician, canonist).
5. Publicly publish a short, plain‑language summary of the diocesan policy and referral pathway so parishioners know how to request help and what safeguards are in place.

Where national church bodies have specific guidance (for example, the USCCB, Vatican dicasterial letters or the Church of England House of Bishops guidance), reference those documents in your policy and append them to the chancery resource pack.

When to involve civil authorities: If there is suspicion of abuse, imminent physical danger, or if the person is a child or vulnerable adult at risk, the diocesan safeguarding policy and civil law reporting obligations take precedence and must be acted upon immediately.

Conclusion and Next Steps

A carefully drafted diocesan policy for exorcism ministry protects the faithful, supports ministers, and demonstrates responsible stewardship of episcopal authority. Start small: adopt the core components above, pilot the intake and medical-clearance pathway, and schedule a formal review after the first 6–12 months. Maintain transparency with parish priests and safeguarding teams and prioritize clinical collaboration and documented consent at every stage.

If you would like, this office can produce a customizable policy template, an intake form, and a sample consent/assent packet tailored to your diocesan regulations and civil law. For immediate reference, consult the USCCB exorcism overview, the Vatican "Letter to Ordinaries regarding norms on Exorcism", and established diocesan pages such as Arlington and Orange for practical examples.