David Farlow, age 14, of Trinity, N.C., for his question:

IS EXORCISM PRACTICED ONLY IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH?

Exorcism is the act of breaking the power of the devil or some other evil spirit that influences or controls a person.

Several different Christian denominations and other religions have ceremonies for driving out devils and evil spirits. In the 200s A.D. the Roman Catholic Church established the office of exorcist, one who performs an exorcism. Priests hold this office but require a bishop's permission to perform an exorcism.

Possession of evil spirits is difficult to verify because the phenomenon could result from other causes. For example, a person with the symptoms of a possessed person could really be suffering from a mental or physical illness. It is best to obtain both religious and medical opinions.