26 February 2018
Priest accused of using exorcisms to sexually assault women
By Lia Eustachewich NY Post
A Catholic priest in Italy has been busted for allegedly using exorcism to sexually assault young women, telling them they’d be “punished” by “angels and saints” if they didn’t comply, according to a report Monday.
Father Michele Baron is accused of forcing the women into sexual acts while “liberating” them from evil spirits, according to prosecutor Maria Antonietta Troncone, The Times of London reported.
Baron allegedly beat, insulted and threatened the women, who were forced to sleep in the nude with him and his mistress, Troncone said.
One woman told prosecutors she would be “punished by the Madonna, St. Michael and other angels and saints” if she didn’t perform sexual acts.
Barone also persuaded the women to quit taking prescriptions and follow a strict diet of milk, biscuits and glucose solution. He wasn’t authorized to perform the exorcisms.
He’s been suspended from his priestly activities for a year.
Three others have been arrested in connection with the abuse – the parents of a 14-year-old girl who was abused and Luigi Schettino, a local police officer who allegedly tried to get the girl’s sister to withdraw an official complaint she’d filed with his office.
Barone’s abuse was uncovered after the sister reported it to a satirical television program.
