It’s the sort of headline that belongs in a kook tabloid, or on a book review of a Malachi Martin fantasy. But the allegation is made by (hitherto) respected exorcist Gabriele Amorth, who says in a new book that “Yes, also in the Vatican there are members of Satanic sects.” According to the Catholic News Agency report, when asked whether clergy as well as laymen are involved, he responded, “There are priests, monsignors and also cardinals!” Now, this Amorth is not exactly a fringe figure: His books are published in the U.S. by one of the most respectable mainstream religious publishing houses — Ignatius Press, which is also the U.S. publisher of the works of Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI.

Just a couple of days ago, I was talking to a devout and educated Catholic layman, who was telling me about the spiritual dangers of excessive interest in demonology. The demonic/Satanic exists, but a focus on it can warp the spirituality of a believer, and should be indulged in only with great caution. The high probability is that Father Amorth has been taken off the emotional rails by the work he does, in which case I wish him a speedy recovery.