Who was Father Gabriele Amorth? This question is timely after the April 14 release of the film “The Pope’s Exorcist,” which claims to be based on the life of the renowned Italian priest, portrayed by Russell Crowe.
Father Gabriele Amorth was born in Modena, Italy May 1, 1925, and grew up in a devout Catholic family.
In a letter sent to the journalist Paolo Rodari, and collected in the book ” Father Amorth continues: The official biography,” he confessed that as a child he went to Mass with his parents; however, he would fall asleep under the church pews.
“When I slept and remained silent without running from one side to the other through the aisles of the church, my mother gave me a prize, usually a sweet,” he recounted in his letter to the Italian journalist.
During his childhood, his parents taught him the importance of the sacrament of Confession, to which he attended once a week.
In 1937, and at only 12 years of age, he discovered his vocation to the priesthood thanks to his active participation in the Parish Catholic Action and in the San Vicenzo Association, which allowed him to travel to Rome in 1936.
Meanwhile, he studied at the Muratori High School, in Modena, excelling in sports such as fencing and cycling.
In 1942 he traveled to Rome to meet with the Passionist order to which he wanted to join because he felt inclined to community life in a religious order.
However, the Passionists did not have a reserved room for him, so he was accommodated in a house belonging to the Society of Saint Paul, a Congregation in which he would finally receive his priestly Order.
After his priestly ordination in 1954, he worked in the Office of Spiritual Assistance of the Vicariate of Rome and as a chaplain in the Regina Coeli prison.
In addition, he was in charge of the formation of the young aspirants and religious of the Society of Saint Paul.
In 1986 he was appointed chief exorcist of the Diocese of Rome by Cardinal Ugo Poletti.
In 1990, he founded the International Association of Exorcists, of which he was president until his retirement at the age of 75.
Father Amorth claimed to have performed tens of thousands of exorcisms. He was known for his practical approach and for reaffirming the existence of the devil and demons. For this reason, he warned several times about the consequences of the Ouija board, astrology and other occult practices.
In addition to his work as an exorcist, Father Amorth was the author of several books such as “An exorcist tells his story,” “An exorcist: more stories,” and “Exorcism and psychiatry.”
He also used to collaborate on television and radio programs, and was consulted by the Vatican on matters related to exorcism.
Father Amorth passed away Sept. 16, 2016 in Rome at the age of 91. In the last interview he gave to the media, Father Amorth left the phrase: “With Christ or with Satan” as a spiritual testament.
“Be with Jesus! And remember that it is not otherwise: when you are not with Jesus, you are with Satan,” the Italian exorcist told TV2000.
After the release of the trailer for the film “The Exorcist of the Pope,” supposedly based on the life of Father Amorth, Father José Antonio Fortea explained that this production is an exaggeration of reality and that it shows a disfigurement of the power of the devil.
