Exorcisme catholique en France contemporaine, entre thérapeutique et régulation institutionnelle

Abstract

This article proposes to study the contemporary implementation of Catholic exorcism rituals in France. It is a growing demand that challenges the Catholic Church and expresses discomforts in contemporary society. Based on a study conducted in France between 2016 and 2020, the research is spread over various dioceses and works with diverse actors (priests, exorcists, ritual requesters, lay collaborators) belonging to plural groups. Using qualitative strategies – mainly ethnography, active interviews and document analysis – this article analyses the population requesting exorcism, and attempts to understand the environments in which the practices are anchored and the work of the exorcists. This article shows the dialogue established between the practice of exorcism and medical interpretations, and the deployment of a new listening and regulation of the Church towards an increased demand which is related to indeterminate misfortunes linked to the field of health and healing.