8.287. Is there a contradiction between the elimination of exorcisms in the new Rite of Baptism and the traditional Catholic doctrine on spiritual warfare and original sin?
Yes. The traditional Catholic doctrine teaches that baptism is not merely a welcoming ceremony, but a supernatural rite that cleanses the soul from original sin, incorporates the individual into the Mystical Body of Christ, and delivers the soul from the dominion of Satan. Accordingly, the traditional Roman Rite of Baptism includes multiple solemn exorcisms, blessings of salt, and prayers commanding the devil to depart from the soul to be baptized. These prayers reflect the Church’s unbroken belief that every unbaptized soul is under the influence of the devil due to original sin and must be formally exorcised before entering the Church.
The post-Vatican II Rite of Baptism, promulgated in 1969, radically diminished and nearly eliminated the role of exorcism. The powerful exorcisms of the traditional rite were replaced with watered-down petitions vaguely asking for “freedom from sin” or “deliverance from evil.” The theology underlying the rite shifted from spiritual warfare to a celebration of community and initiation. This change is not a development of doctrine but a rupture, undermining the Church’s teaching on the effects of original sin, the reality of the devil, and the necessity of baptism for salvation.
1. Traditional Baptism: A Rite of Exorcism and Liberation from Satan
The traditional Roman Ritual, in use until Vatican II, included several clear and authoritative exorcisms:
"Depart from him, unclean spirit, and give place to the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete."
"I exorcise thee, unclean spirit... Come out and leave this servant of God... For the Lord has commanded thee, O accursed one, He who walked upon the sea."
Blessed salt was placed on the tongue of the catechumen with the prayer:
"Receive the salt of wisdom. May it be a token to you of mercy unto everlasting life."
The priest breathed upon the face of the catechumen as a symbol of the Holy Spirit's coming and commanded Satan to flee. These acts were not optional flourishes. They were rooted in the Church’s understanding that the unbaptized soul was in bondage and needed spiritual deliverance before baptismal regeneration.
The Council of Florence taught that baptism is necessary for salvation and cleanses from original sin:
“Through baptism we are delivered from the power of the devil and made God’s children.”
Pope Eugene IV, in the Bull Exultate Deo, reaffirmed this necessity and the supernatural nature of baptism.
2. Vatican II's New Rite: Exorcism Eliminated, Language Diminished
The new Rite of Baptism for Children (1969) removes all explicit exorcisms. While it includes a prayer vaguely called a "minor exorcism," it no longer:
Commands the devil to depart
Treats the unbaptized as being under Satan’s power
Uses sacramentals like blessed salt
Employs strong theological language about liberation and spiritual combat
Instead, the prayers speak of welcoming, community, enlightenment, and joy. One such example:
"We anoint you with the oil of salvation... so that you may live always as a member of His body."
Gone is the language of warfare, confrontation, and binding the devil. The priest no longer breathes on the child. The signs are ambiguous and fail to communicate the drama and seriousness of baptism as spiritual rescue.
3. Theological Implications: Loss of the Sense of Sin and Satan
This reform reflects a broader modernist shift within the Vatican II sect:
Downplaying original sin
De-emphasizing the devil and spiritual combat
Treating baptism as initiation into a human community rather than liberation from Satan
Pope Pius XII warned that liturgical changes must not obscure doctrine:
“The sacred liturgy... must express the truths of the Faith clearly and fully.”
By eliminating the exorcisms, the Novus Ordo baptism weakens belief in the fallen state of man, the need for redemption, and the urgency of salvation. It removes the visible signs that reinforce these invisible truths.
This is not a pastoral adaptation. It is a theological error with eternal consequences.
4. Apostolic and Patristic Witness: The Ancient Practice of Exorcism in Baptism
The use of exorcisms in baptism is not medieval but apostolic. The Didache and writings of the early Fathers (e.g., St. Hippolytus, St. Cyril of Jerusalem) show that catechumens underwent a rigorous catechesis, fasting, and multiple exorcisms.
“When the exorcist laid his hand upon you, he commanded the devil to go out of you.”
“The unbaptized are still under the prince of this world. Baptism is their liberation.”
To eliminate these prayers is to sever continuity with apostolic tradition.
5. Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi: Changed Prayer = Changed Belief
As St. Thomas Aquinas and Pope Pius XII emphasized, how we pray forms what we believe. The elimination of exorcisms signals a change in belief about:
The bondage of original sin
The real power of the devil
The salvific necessity of baptism
This leads to indifferentism (e.g., thinking unbaptized children are not in danger), weakens missionary zeal, and contradicts dogma.
True Catholics must reject the new Rite of Baptism as deficient and harmful to souls. Only the traditional rite expresses fully the Church’s teaching on spiritual warfare, sin, and salvation.
| Category | Traditional Catholic Teaching | Vatican II (New Rite) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exorcisms | Multiple solemn exorcisms commanding Satan to depart | Eliminated or reduced to vague minor prayers | Removes clarity on spiritual warfare and original sin |
| Baptismal Salt | Blessed salt placed on tongue as sacramental protection | Omitted entirely | Loss of visible sign of protection and grace |
| Prayer Focus | Sin, Satan, liberation, and salvation | Community, welcome, and celebration | Shift from theology to humanistic emphasis |
| Theological Basis | Fallen nature, bondage to Satan, necessity of baptism | Minimizes sin, emphasizes dignity and inclusion | Contrary to dogma and Fathers |
| Apostolic Tradition | Patristic and biblical foundation for exorcisms | No precedent in ancient Church for removal | Breaks with tradition and continuity |
Summary:
There is a serious contradiction between the traditional Rite of Baptism and the post-Vatican II version, especially in regard to the role of exorcisms. In the traditional rite, exorcisms are essential and doctrinally rich. They visibly manifest the Church’s belief that every soul born of Adam is in need of liberation from the power of Satan. The solemn commands, the use of salt, the breath of the priest—all reinforce the reality of original sin and the absolute necessity of baptism for salvation.
The post-Vatican II rite, created in 1969, virtually eliminates this theology. The prayers no longer confront Satan, command his departure, or acknowledge his dominion over the unbaptized soul. Instead, the language shifts to general themes of welcome, enlightenment, and celebration. This subtle but dangerous shift changes the doctrine expressed by the liturgy.
As Pope Pius XII warned, the liturgy must clearly and fully express Catholic doctrine. Removing exorcisms implies that the soul is not in bondage or that Satan is not a real threat. It diminishes the supernatural character of baptism and reduces it to a communal rite of belonging. This is especially dangerous in our age, when belief in the devil and original sin is already under assault.
The change also represents a rupture with the apostolic Church. Early Christian writings confirm the presence of exorcisms in baptism. Church Fathers and popes reiterated their importance for centuries. There is no precedent in the history of the Church for a baptismal rite that omits these essential prayers.
The elimination of exorcisms is a doctrinal error, not a harmless adaptation. It reflects the broader modernist tendency of the Vatican II sect to deny spiritual realities, obscure Catholic teaching, and prioritize humanistic values over divine truth. Faithful Catholics must reject the new rite and return to the traditional Roman Rite of Baptism.
Baptism is spiritual warfare. The traditional rite makes that truth visible and unforgettable. The new rite hides it, and in doing so, endangers souls.