Priests, Power, and the Paranormal
A Religious Studies Analysis of Contemporary Roman Catholic Exorcism Literature
In: Religion and TheologyUniversity of the Western Cape Bellville South Africa
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Abstract
This article investigates the discourses and practices relating to possession, supernatural, and paranormal phenomena. Having provided a terminological definition of these terms, the article discusses the role of the paranormal and supernatural in contemporary Roman Catholic exorcism practices within the framework of a Foucaultian perspective on pastoral power. It examines how references to the paranormal and supernatural are used to legitimise the power and authority of Catholic priests who serve as exorcists. This is done through a number of case studies of well-known Catholic exorcists. The article argues that the rhetoric of evil, supernatural powers is a central legitimisation strategy for the special position of exorcists and strengthens the power position of the Roman Catholic Church. Exorcists are portrayed as having the ability to identify and control supernatural forces, which consolidates their position of power both within the church and in the broader public discourse and aids the pastoral power of the Catholic Church, with priests acting as intermediaries between the human and supernatural realms.
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Priests, Power, and the Paranormal
A Religious Studies Analysis of Contemporary Roman Catholic Exorcism Literature
In: Religion and TheologyUniversity of the Western Cape Bellville South Africa
Search for other papers by Nicole M. Bauer in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Abstract
This article investigates the discourses and practices relating to possession, supernatural, and paranormal phenomena. Having provided a terminological definition of these terms, the article discusses the role of the paranormal and supernatural in contemporary Roman Catholic exorcism practices within the framework of a Foucaultian perspective on pastoral power. It examines how references to the paranormal and supernatural are used to legitimise the power and authority of Catholic priests who serve as exorcists. This is done through a number of case studies of well-known Catholic exorcists. The article argues that the rhetoric of evil, supernatural powers is a central legitimisation strategy for the special position of exorcists and strengthens the power position of the Roman Catholic Church. Exorcists are portrayed as having the ability to identify and control supernatural forces, which consolidates their position of power both within the church and in the broader public discourse and aids the pastoral power of the Catholic Church, with priests acting as intermediaries between the human and supernatural realms.
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 441 | 299 | 22 |
| Full Text Views | 37 | 28 | 1 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 76 | 62 | 2 |
