Members
Fr Marcello Ghirlando OFM
Official Exorcist and President of the Commission
Fr Marcello was born in 1962 and is a member of the Order of Franciscan Minors. When the Diocesan Commission on Occult and Satanism was appointed, Fr Marcello was nominated by the Archbishop of Malta, Mgr. Joseph Mercieca as Official Exorcist for the Maltese Archdiocese.
Fr John Vella OFM Cap
Official Exorcist and Member
Fr John Vella was born in Marsa in 1958. At present he is assigned to the Franciscan Minor Capuchin Fraternity at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Church, San Gwann. He successfully studied for the licentiate in Clinical Pastoral Theology at the Istituto Internazionale di Teologia Pastorale Sanitaria, Camillianium, affiliated with the Teresianum University in Rome. The Diocesan Commision on Occult and Satanism has chosen him as an Auxiliary Exorcist approved by H.E Mons. Joseph Mercieca, Archbishop of Malta, in 2003. He was appointed as Exorcist by H.E. Mons. Joseph Mercieca with a decree dated 1 July 2005.
Fr Franco Fenech
Official Exorcist and Member
Fr Franco Fenech was born in Marsa in 1966. After completing his studies in the Diocesan Seminary of Ancona, which is affiliated with the Lateran University in Rome, he was ordained to priesthood in 1994. Presently he renders his service in Luqa Parish and Giovanni Curmi Higher Secondary School in Naxxar. Fr Franco completed a course in psychology at the Gregorian University in Rome. The Diocesan Commission on Occult and Satanism chose him as an Auxiliary Exorcist approved by H.E Mons. Joseph Mercieca, Archbishop of Malta, in 2003. He was appointed as official Exorcist by H.E. Mons. Joseph Mercieca with a decree dated 1 July 2005.
Fr Alex Refalo
Official Exorcist and Member
Fr Alex Refalo was born in 1961 and is a priest of the Diocese of Gozo. He was ordained in 1987. Following his ordination, he went to Rome to pursue further studies while also serving in a parish. He earned a Licentiate in Spiritual Theology (S.Th.L.), as well as a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and Formation. Fr Refalo has dedicated most of his priestly ministry to the Gozo Seminary, where he served as Spiritual Formator and Director. He also offered his services as a Pastoral Mentor at the Archbishop’s Seminary. In 2014, he was appointed Exorcist and joined the Diocesan Commission on Occult and Satanism, with the approval of Bishop Mario Grech.
Fr Sandro Camilleri SDB
Official Exorcist and Member
Fr. Sandro Camilleri was born in 1969 and is a member of the Salesians of Don Bosco. He was ordained priest in 1999. He has a BA degree in Philosophy, Psychology and Sociology from the University of Malta, a BA degree in Theology from the Pontifical Salesian University in Rome, a Graduate Diploma in Holistic Development from All Hallows College in Dublin and an MA in Gestalt Psychotherapy from GPTIM. He was asked to join the Diocesan Commission on Occult and Satanism as an Auxiliary Exorcist in 2014, his nominating having been approved by Archbishop Paul Cremona. He was appointed as official Exorcist by Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna with a decree dated 12 July 2022.
Fr David Borg OFM Conv.
Official Exorcist and Member
Fr David was born in St Julians, Malta, in 1962, and is a member of the Maltese Province of the Order of Conventual Franciscan Minors. In the years prior to graduating in theology, he graduated and worked as Probation Officer (care and correction of offenders). He was asked to join the Diocesan Commission on Occult and Satanism as an Auxiliary Exorcist in 2014, his nominating having been approved by Archbishop Paul Cremona. He was appointed as official Exorcist by Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna with a decree dated 12 July 2022.
Fr Stefan Attard
Official Exorcist and Member
Fr Stefan Attard was born in 1972 and ordained priest in 1999 after reading degrees in Philosophy and Theology. He then read Pastoral Theology in Malta and Studied Sacred Scripture in Rome. Presently, he is based in the parish of St Julians and celebrates Masses at the parish of Ibrag too. Fr Stefan was asked to join the Diocesan Commission on Occult and Satanism as an Auxiliary Exorcist in 2014, his nomination having been approved by Archbishop Paul Cremona. He was appointed as official Exorcist by Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna with a decree dated 12 July 2022.
Fr Charles Baldacchino OFM Conv.
Official Exorcist and Member
Fr Carmel k/a Charles M. Baldacchino was born in Birkirkara in 1951. After a working phase in the hotel trade, he joined the Maltese Province of the Franciscan Minor Conventuals; studied Philosophy and Theology in Malta, and after his priestly ordination in 1984, went to study “Teologia della Vita Religiosa” at the Claretianum in Rome. He worked in Assisi for 12 years in the formation field and carried out pastoral work in 2 parishes. For 2 years, he was one of the official exorcists of the Diocese of Assisi. On the 16th January 2025, Mons Charles J. Scicluna, Archbishop of Malta, appointed him as official exorcist.
Fr Antoine Borg
Auxiliary Exorcist and Member
Fr Antoine Borg was born in the town of Mosta on 31 March 1973 and he was ordained a Catholic priest on 20 June 2003. Over the years he served in pastoral roles including vice-archpriest in the parish of Marija Assunta, Mosta and as chaplain in Imgarr. In June 2018, he was appointed Director of Radju Marija Malta, taking on the responsibility of guiding the station’s mission to broadcast liturgy, catechesis, devotional prayers and Christian-social reflection across Malta and Gozo. Under his leadership, the station inaugurated new studios in Rabat in May 2019, a milestone for Radju Marija’s growth. In addition to his radio ministry, he continues pastoral service as rector of the pastoral zone of Sant’Andrija in Mosta. Fr Antoine was asked to join the Diocesan Commission on Occult and Satanism as an Auxiliary Exorcist in 2023, with his nomination having been approved by Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna on 18 July 2023.
Fr David Borg
Auxiliary Exorcist and Member
Fr David Borg was born in 1978 and ordained a priest in 2020 after completing degrees in Philosophy and Theology in Malta. Presently, he is serving as a parish priest in the parish of Our Lady of Lourdes, Paola. Fr David was asked to join the Diocesan Commission on Occult and Satanism as an Auxiliary Exorcist in 2023, with his nomination having been approved by Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna on 18 July 2023.
Fr Blake Camilleri
Auxiliary Exorcist and Member
Fr Blake Camilleri was born in 1984, and was ordained as a priest in 2010, a year after he started serving as a deacon in the Parish of the Assumption of Mary in Mosta. He was appointed vice-parish priest in Mosta on the year of his ordination, staying on until 2015. He studied at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome 2014-2016 and served as vice-parish priest in the Parish of St Philip of Agira in Zebbug in 2017, before becoming the parish priest of Ibrag that same year. Fr Blake was asked to join the Diocesan Commission on Occult and Satanism as an Auxiliary Exorcist in 2023, with his nomination having been approved by Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna on 18 July 2023. In 2024, he became parish priest of the Imqabba parish.
Former Members
Fr Elias Vella OFM Conv.
Official Exorcist and President
Fr Elias was born at St Paul’s Bay, Malta. He was a member of the Maltese Province of the Conventual Franciscan Minors. He graduated in theology in 1965 from the Lateran University, Rome, and lectured in theology for some years. He is the author of several books including “Satana” and “Diavoli e esorcismi”. Fr Elias was Minister Provincial of his Province from 1974 to 1986 and parish priest in his native town. He was nominated by the Archbishop of Malta Mgr. Joseph Mercieca as Official Exorcist for the Maltese Archdiocese. Fr Elias passed away on 10 October 2022.
Fr Joseph Borg SJ
Official Exorcist and Member
Fr Joseph Borg, S.J. was born in 1932 and joined the Society of Jesus in 1948. After four years in Malta he was assigned to the then Santal Jesuit Mission in India, where he continued his studies and was ordained in 1961. He worked in various parishes in Dumka Diocese, Bihar, India. He returned to Malta in 1988 where he now does pastoral work. He was nominated by the Archbishop of Malta Mgr. Joseph Mercieca as Official Exorcist for the Archdiocese of Malta. Fr. Joseph passed away on 14 October 2018.
Fr Hugh Cremona OP
Official Exorcist and Member
Fr Ugo Cremona, born in Valletta in 1936, is a Dominican priest. He obtained his degree in Theology in Ireland, and then studied for his B.A degree at University College, Dublin. He spent thirty years lecturing in Philosophy and Theology, but preaching was and still is his main occupation. For nearly twenty years he was the President of the Ecumenical Commision in the Archdiocese. When the the Commision for the study of the Satanism and the Occult was set up, he was called to be a member. He is also one of the appointed exorcists in the Archdiocese. Fr Ugo passed away on 15 January 2014.