Ticino Appoints New Exorcist Amid Controversy

The Diocese of Lugano has appointed a new exorcist, reviving a role that had been vacant since the death of the previous exorcist, Sandro Vitalini, in 2020. The announcement has elicited a mixed response from both the public and within the Church.

Details surrounding the appointment remain largely undisclosed, as the diocese has opted for discretion regarding the identity of the new exorcist. The announcement was made through the diocesan publication, Monitore della Diocesi di Lugano, but did not specify who the appointed priest is. According to church officials, the selection was the result of a lengthy decision-making process grounded in prayer.

Despite the official silence, insiders in the small region of Ticino have revealed that the new exorcist is a former parish priest from Tesserete, who is currently active as a coordinator for a group aimed at promoting new forms of evangelization. The priest, however, has refrained from publicly discussing his new role.

In contrast, more vocal exorcists from neighboring regions have shared insights into their practices. Don Roberto Pandolfi, an exorcist from the Diocese of Como, recently spoke at a book fair about his experiences and published a work titled Satana, la Chiesa, il mondo (Satan, the Church, and the World). In an interview, he emphasized the importance of providing individuals with a sense of acceptance, rather than merely addressing their issues. He noted that many cases presented to him often blend psychological and spiritual concerns.

The demand for exorcism services appears to be significant, with Pandolfi reporting that since 2009, over 12,000 individuals have sought his counsel, including many from Switzerland. However, he clarified that only three of these cases involved individuals truly believed to be possessed.

According to canon law, only priests appointed by the local bishop have the authority to perform exorcisms. The Vatican's Congregation for Divine Worship revised the exorcism rites in 1999 to include prayers invoking God's help and commands directed at the devil to depart from afflicted individuals. The ritual draws inspiration from accounts of Jesus's exorcisms in the Gospels.

With the appointment of the new exorcist in Lugano, the total number of officially recognized exorcists in Switzerland has increased to three. Two are active within the combined diocese of Fribourg, Lausanne, and Geneva, while the dioceses of Sion, St. Gallen, Chur, and Basel currently lack designated exorcists. Instead, they have opted for pastoral services aimed at addressing spiritual needs.

The Diocese of Basel provides a healing and deliverance ministry as part of its pastoral work. In contrast, the Bishop of Chur, Joseph Maria Bonnemain, has expressed intentions to establish a specialized committee within the German-speaking Bishops' Conference, which would involve experienced medical professionals and clergy to create a competent deliverance service for individuals who feel troubled or distressed.

In St. Gallen, there is also no longer an appointed exorcist. The head of the pastoral office, Franz Kreissl, recently discussed the subject, stating that possession is recognized in psychiatric classifications as a personality disorder. He stressed the need for a combination of spiritual guidance and medical support to assist those experiencing such challenges, asserting that 99% of reported cases of demonic phenomena are rooted in psychiatric issues.

Markus Krienke, a professor at the Theological Faculty of Lugano, has expressed concern regarding the diocese's decision to reinstate the exorcist role, advocating for a broader pastoral approach instead. Nonetheless, he acknowledged that the high volume of inquiries from individuals feeling afflicted indicates a demand for such services, suggesting that a professional church response is preferable to reliance on unqualified practitioners.