Code of Canon Law 1917 – Canons 1151-1153 on Exorcism (AAS vol. 9-II)

Codex Iuris Canonici de 1917: Disciplina Canônica do Exorcismo

The Codex Iuris Canonici (Piano-Benedictine Code) of 1917, promulgated by Pope St. Benedict XV through the Apostolic Constitution Providentissima Mater Ecclesia (May 27, 1917), is the first unified code of law for the Latin Catholic Church. Canons 1151-1153, taken directly from the Acta Apostolicae Sedis (AAS) vol. 9-II (1917), pp. 225, establish the canonical discipline for exorcism, which remained in force until the entry into force of the Code of Canon Law of 1983.

Promulgador e Documento

• Promulgador: São Bento XV (Giacomo della Chiesa)
• Documento: Codex Iuris Canonici – Liber Tertius, De Rebus
• Data de Promulgação: 27 de maio de 1917 (entrou em vigor em 19 de maio de 1918)
• Cânones relevantes: cân. 1151-1153
• Fonte primária: AAS vol. 9-II (1917), pp. 225

Texto Latino Original e Tradução Portuguesa

Cânon 1151

No one who is endowed with the power to exorcise may legitimately pronounce exorcisms over the possessed without having obtained from the particular Ordinary an explicit license.

§ 2. This license is to be granted by the Ordinary only to a priest endowed with piety, prudence, and integrity of life; who must not proceed with the exorcisms unless after having, through diligent and prudent investigation, proven that the person being exorcised is truly possessed by a demon.

Cânon 1152

The exorcisms can be performed by the legitimate ministers not only over the faithful and catechumens, but also over non-Catholics or excommunicated persons.

Cânon 1153

The ministers of the exorcisms that occur in baptism and consecrations or blessings are the same as those who are legitimate ministers of these sacred rites.

Tipos de Exorcismo e Requisitos para o Exorcista (CIC 1917)

Tipos de Exorcismo:

• Exorcismo solene (sobre possessos): Requer licença expressa do Ordinário (cânone 1151).
• Exorcismo sobre acatólicos/excomungados: Pode ser realizado por sacerdotes, mas com cautela pastoral (cânone 1152).
• Exorcismo simples (batismo, bênçãos): Pode ser praticado por qualquer ministro dos respectivos sacramentos (cânone 1153).

Requisitos para o Exorcista:

1. Piedade.
2. Prudência.
3. Integridade de vida.

1. Pietas: piety, deep spiritual life
2. Prudentia: prudence in discernment
3. Vitae integritas: integrity of moral life
4. Diligens investigatio: diligent inquiry into the specific case before proceeding

The 1983 Code of Canon Law (can. 1172) adds a fourth requirement: scientia (theological science). The revision demonstrates a progressive hardening of requirements to prevent abuses.

Comparison CIC 1917 vs. CIC 1983

Historical Significance

The 1917 Code of Canon Law represents the first systematic code of Catholic canonical law. Its dispositions on exorcism established the legal framework that governed the Church for 66 years (1918-1983):

• St. Pius of Pietrelcina (1887-1968), an unofficial exorcist, operated under this code
• St. John Calabria (1873-1954), official exorcist under the 1917 Code
• Pope John XXIII (1881-1963), as Patriarch of Venice, exercised discipline over exorcists
• The tradition of Gabriele Amorth (1925-2016, ordained 1951), trained under the 1917 Code

Post-Conciliar Heritage

The 1983 Code of Canon Law (can. 1172), see dedicated post, essentially reiterates the 1917 Code, with minor post-conciliar refinements. The continuity between the two codes demonstrates the stability of exorcism discipline in the Church.

Further Reading

CIC 1983 can. 1172 | Exorcismus in Satanam (ASS 23) | CDF Inde ab aliquot annis | Rite of Exorcism 1999