EXORCISTS URGE POPE TO APPOINT THEM IN EVERY DIOCESE AS SATANISM PRACTICES INCREASE

An international group of exorcists has warned that occult practices and spiritual harm are on the rise. They are now asking Pope Leo XIV to make sure every Catholic diocese around the world has at least one trained exorcist.

The request came during a private meeting on March 13 at the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace. Bishop Karel Orlita and Father Francesco Bamonte, the president and vice president of the International Association of Exorcists (AIE), met with the Pope for about 30 minutes.

After the meeting, the group said they presented a detailed report. It warned of a “painful and increasingly widespread situation” where people are seriously affected by the devil’s actions after getting involved in occult groups.

The exorcists’ main proposal is: every diocese should haveone or more properly trained priest exorcists. They also want better training at different levels of church life. This includes teaching seminarians about the real existence of evil spirits, offering short courses for new bishops, and making sure priests complete mandatory training before becoming exorcists.

Father Bamonte told a Catholic news outlet that ignoring the devil’s extraordinary actions leaves believers without defence against serious spiritual attacks. He said the spread of occultism and Satanism opens doors to the devil’s work in today’s world. This can cause great suffering, including demonic possession, vexation, obsession or infestation.

Bamonte believes such cases are increasing. He pointed to the rise of magical and esoteric practices in recent decades. He also linked the trend to people turning away from God, the increase of sin, and the spread of occult beliefs.

Having authorised exorcists, he said, allows the church to continue Christ’s work of casting out demons. He added that a diocese without an exorcist harms the faithful by denying them specific spiritual help.

The group also stated that future priests must be ready to face real pastoral situations, including more believers asking for an exorcist’s help. Training should start in the seminary and include how to tell when an exorcist is needed.