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USE OF THIS MANUAL “And he gave them authority over unclean spirits with power to cast them out� (Mt 10:1).
This manual is intended to assist priests in their ministry to those who approach them with issues of spiritual affliction. Priests in the course of their pastoral ministry meet situations where the possibility of the presence and activity of demonic spirits is suggested. Many of the situations are not of the nature which would require the formal Rite of [Major] Exorcism. This manual offers resources for priests to use prayers of minor exorcism. Spiritual affliction may have origins in habits of sin, in compulsions and addictions, or be a result of dabbling in occult practices. Some afflictions may have a psychological cause. Some may have both psychological and spiritual dimensions. The priest may refer a person exhibiting psychological problems to an appropriate professional. However, he may also identify a possible spiritual affliction which accompanies the psychological problem. Here the priest can work in co-operation with other professionals. In many instances people turn to the Church after seeking help in other places and not finding effective