Symposium in Brazil addresses the devil’s existence as part of Catholic doctrine
A symposium in Fortaleza, Brazil, held Aug. 18–19 focused on affirming the devil’s existence within Catholic doctrine and teaching laypeople about demonology and exorcism. The event drew 240 participants, most of whom were laypeople, and emphasized theological reflection rather than training for exorcisms. Speakers included bishops, exorcists, a psychologist, and a medical doctor, who discussed Scripture, Church guidelines, discernment between spiritual afflictions and mental illness, and safe prayer practices. The gathering reinforced the Church’s rule that only priests appointed by a bishop may perform solemn exorcisms and highlighted the importance of collaboration with mental‑health professionals to avoid misdiagnosis.
about 1 month ago
The recent two‑day symposium on demonology and exorcism held in Fortaleza, Brazil, brought together clergy, laypeople and health professionals to reaffirm the Catholic Church’s doctrinal teaching on the reality of the devil while emphasizing careful discernment between genuine demonic activity and mental illness. 1 2
The gathering, organized by the Marian Community Oasis of Peace with Archdiocesan support, was open to the public and attracted 240 participants, most of whom (76 %) were laypersons. Its stated aim was theological reflection on the existence of fallen angels, not practical training for performing exorcisms. 1
Key speakers included Bishop André Vital, several exorcists from various Brazilian dioceses, a psychologist‑exorcist, and a medical doctor who also serves as an assistant exorcist. Father Diogo Jairo Rebouças, an exorcist from the Diocese of Limoeiro do Norte, coordinated the event and served as its primary spokesperson. 2
Lectures examined demonology in the Gospels, Christ’s liberating ministry, and the Church’s magisterial teachings that affirm the devil’s existence. Presenters stressed that belief in demonic beings is rooted in Scripture, tradition and the magisterium. 1
The symposium presented the International Association of Exorcists (AIE) guidelines, highlighting that only priests formally appointed by their bishop may conduct solemn exorcisms. It also underscored the need for “moral certainty” that a case involves extraordinary demonic action before an exorcism can be authorized. 2
A major focus was the distinction between psychiatric conditions and possible spiritual phenomena. Speakers urged prudence during prayer for deliverance, noting that highly suggestible individuals can become emotionally destabilized. They advocated collaborative assessment involving exorcists, families and mental‑health experts, while clarifying that priests do not issue psychiatric diagnoses and scientists are not tasked with proving or disproving the devil’s existence. 1 2
The event promoted upcoming AIE training for assistant exorcists, open to laypeople and health professionals, with the next session scheduled for 27–29 November at St. Benedict Monastery in Rio de Janeiro. 1
Overall, the symposium reinforced Catholic doctrine on the devil, provided pastoral guidance for discerning demonic versus medical issues, and called for continued formation of qualified exorcists in partnership with the broader healthcare community.*
Affirm the devil’s existence as Catholic doctrine
The devil truly exists. Catholic faith teaches that Satan is not merely a symbol of evil, a metaphor for human wrongdoing, or an impersonal force. He is a created spiritual being—an angel—who freely rejected God, together with other fallen angels.
The Church’s traditional teaching identifies pride as the root of the devil’s sin: Lucifer sought an excellence contrary to the order established by God. Catholic theology also commonly describes his pride as expressing itself through envy, especially hostility toward humanity and toward God’s plan of grace.
The Fathers cited in the Catholic tradition explicitly speak of the devil as a real personal agent. St. Cyprian describes him as an angel who fell through jealousy of human beings made in God’s image; St. Basil likewise calls him “the beginner of evil” who waged war against humanity through envy; and St. Augustine records the traditional view that envy of man’s creation contributed to Lucifer’s fall.
The devil’s existence is also affirmed by Christ’s teaching. The Gospel presents him as a personal tempter and “murderer from the beginning,” not as an abstract poetic representation of evil. Catholic teaching therefore understands Satan as an intelligent, personal creature who opposes God and seeks humanity’s ruin.
The devil is not God’s equal. He remains a creature, dependent upon God for his existence and unable to rival God’s omnipotence. His power is limited and subordinate to divine providence.
Nor does Catholic doctrine attribute every temptation, misfortune, or sin directly to demonic activity. Human beings possess freedom and are themselves responsible for moral choices. Nevertheless, the devil is genuinely active in tempting and deceiving humanity, and Christ came to destroy his dominion. Catholic teaching on Christ’s descent into the realm of the dead states that Christ destroyed “him who has the power of death, that is, the devil.”
The existence of the devil is therefore inseparable from the Gospel’s account of salvation: Christ conquers sin, death, and Satan—not by treating evil as imaginary, but by overcoming a real personal enemy of God and humanity.
In summary: the devil exists as a fallen angel, his rebellion arose from pride, he acts against God and humanity, and his power has been decisively defeated by Jesus Christ.