Italian Priest Is Arrested on Suspicion of Molesting Women and a 12-year-old Girl While Carrying out Exorcisms

By Sarah Dean
Daily Mail
October 21, 2016

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3859410/Italian-priest-arrested-suspicion-molesting-women-12-year-old-girl-carrying-EXORCISMS.html

A priest has been arrested on suspicion of molesting women while carrying out exorcisms and spiritual 'healing'.

The priest in Palermo, Sicily, was arrested on sex abuse charges along with an army colonel, local media reported Friday.

Father Salvatore Anello, 59, is suspected of molesting four women and a 12-year-old girl during 'healing prayers,' supposedly intended to help them recover from illness or liberate them from possession by the devil, the AGI news agency reported.

A priest in Palermo, Sicily, was arrested on sex abuse charges along with an army colonel, local media reported Friday (file photo)

Anello's arrest follows a six-month investigation into Salvatore Muratore, 52, an army colonel who was active in the Renewal of the Holy Spirit Catholic community.

Muratore has been accused by alleged victims of similar assaults.

Both men have been detained in custody and the investigation is still ongoing to ascertain if there were more victims, police told AGI.

Father Salvatore Anello, 59, is suspected of molesting four women and a 12-year-old girl during 'healing prayers' in Palermo (file photo)