Priest: Satanic cults include 'priests, monsignors and cardinals'

Rome - Renowned Italian priest and exorcist, Father Gabriele Amorth has released a new book claiming that satanic sects have infiltrated the Vatican and their influence reaches even the College of Cardinals.

In his recently released book of memoirs entitled Memoirs of an Exorcist, Fr. Gabriele Amorth claims that membership in Satanic cults includes "priests, monsignors, and also cardinals," reports CatholicCulture.org. In the book, Amorth affirms, "Yes, also in the Vatican there are members of Satanic sects." When asked if the Pope was aware he replies, "Of course, he was informed. But he does what he can. It's a horrifying thing," reports the Catholic News Agency (CNA). Fr. Amorth's memoirs were written by Marco Tosatti, who compiled them after several interviews with the priest. When Tosatte asked Fr. Amorth how he knew Vatican clergy were involved in satanic cults he answered, "I know from those who have been able to relate it to me because they had a way of knowing directly. And it's something 'confessed' most times by the very demon under obedience during the exorcisms." Amorth also warned of bishops and other clergy who deny the existence of Satan. He states, "And yet, in the Gospel, Jesus speaks extensively about it, so it should be said, either they've never read the Gospel or they just don't believe it!" Demonology specialist and priest, Father José Antonio Fortea Cucurull, has responded to Fr. Amorth's assertions in defense of the Vatican clergy writing in his blog, some members "are more spiritual and others more earthly, some more virtuous and others more human, from there to affirm that some cardinals are members of Satanic sects is an unacceptable distance." Some of Father Amorth's sources were demons themselves whom he had exorcised. Of this Fr. Cucurull said, that knowing whether or not the demon is telling the truth "is in many cases impossible." Cucurull says, "Among exorcists, some have come to similar conclusions as those of Fr. Amorth. Others have not."