Diocese of Rome distances itself from an exorcist

The diocese of Rome has distanced itself from an alleged exorcist priest. Salvatore Micalef (49), who describes himself as the "Patriarch and Bishop of the Prelature of Saints Peter and Paul", is not in communion with the Catholic Church and does not have the necessary official powers to administer the sacraments, according to a statement published this week by the Vicariate of the Diocese of Rome. "He can therefore not participate in or celebrate the sacraments of the Catholic faith on the territory of the diocese of Rome."

According to the statement, Micalef, who comes from Calabria, was ordained by Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo and later excommunicated, i.e. excluded from the ecclesial community. Milingo (94), once a prominent African bishop in Rome, practised as an exorcist and healer himself. He married in 2001, was later excommunicated and dismissed from the clergy. Nevertheless, he continued to ordain priests without authorisation. (KNA)