Priest is appointed exorcist in SP, and archdiocese cites spiritual needs

The Metropolitan Archbishop of Ribeirão Preto, Dom Moacir Silva, appointed Father Kleber Tostes Pedro to the office of exorcist for the archdiocese. The document was signed on June 26, 2026 and is valid for an indefinite period, until further determination by the ecclesiastical authority.

Responsible for the Jesus Merciful and Santa Edwiges parishes, Father Kleber Tostes is 49 years old and was ordained in 2003.

According to the decree, the appointment was made due to the "spiritual needs of the faithful" of the archdiocese and meets the prescriptions of the Code of Canon Law and the liturgical norms of the Catholic Church. The document also cites the priest's "piety, right intention, doctrinal knowledge, prudence and specific preparation."

With the appointment, the priest now has express authorization to celebrate the rite of Major Exorcism in favor of the faithful who need it, as long as he follows the Exorcism Ritual approved by the Holy See and acts under the spiritual guidance of the metropolitan archbishop.

In the decree, Dom Moacir Silva recommends that the ministry be exercised with "extreme prudence, pastoral charity and discernment", in accordance with the Church's guidelines on exorcism. The appointment appears in Provision nº 230/2026, issued by the Metropolitan Curia of Ribeirão Preto.

"We strongly recommend that you exercise this role (duty) with extreme prudence, pastoral charity and discernment, respecting the Church's guidelines on the ministry of exorcism", said the provision for appointment and office of archdiocesan exorcist, signed by Archbishop Dom Moacir Silva and the chancellor of the Metropolitan Curia, Father Samuel Matias.

With the appointment, the archdiocese now has a priest expressly authorized to perform the role of exorcist. Before, there was no priest with this authorization. The archdiocese covers parishes in 20 municipalities in the interior of São Paulo.

Portrayed in many films and series, exorcism is, in practice, a rare and highly controlled rite. The Catholic Church requires rigorous investigation on a case-by-case basis and currently works in collaboration with science. In other words, it is a resource used only as a last resort, when there is a consistent suspicion of demonic possession. The official ritual can only be performed by priests authorized by a bishop and properly prepared, following specific Church norms.

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