Father Malachi Martin: Vatican Insider Turned Demon Slayer
Born July 23, 1921, in Ireland, Malachi Brendan Martin was a Jesuit scholar, Vatican advisor, and one of the last officially sanctioned exorcists of the Catholic Church. Fluent in ancient languages, he assisted on Dead Sea Scrolls translations and served under Pope John XXIII. By the 1960s, disillusioned with Vatican II reforms, he left the priesthood (laicized in 1965) but retained exorcism faculties. Author of Hostage to the Devil (1976), he documented five real cases, claiming over 100 personal exorcisms.
Art Bell hosted him annually on Halloween from 1996 to 1998, plus specials, where Martin detailed growling entities, levitating bodies, and Satanic infiltration at the highest Church levels. His calm Irish lilt contrasted the horror: "Demons are legalists, Art. They hate Latin."
Martin's credibility? Debated. Supporters cite his Vatican access and polygraphed accounts; critics call fiction. Yet his predictions (Satanic rites in Vatican, child abuse cover-ups) eerily aligned with later scandals. He died July 27, 1999, after a fall, whispering "demon" as his last word.
Art Bell Halloween Specials: Chills Over the Airwaves
Bell's Halloween shows with Martin were legendary: no music, just Martin's voice recounting rituals as callers shared possessions. Key appearances:
Oct 31, 1996 (Debut): Martin explains possession stages: infestation (noises, cold spots), oppression (nightmares, attacks), full control (voice change, super-strength). Describes a New York case: 12-year-old girl speaks fluent Aramaic, head spins 360 degrees, levitates 3 feet. Demon named "Legion" mocks priest. Art: "Listeners, this is real." Caller claims mirror shatters mid-show.
Oct 31, 1997 ("Perfect Possession"): Martin warns of voluntary demons: no exorcism possible if host consents. Alleges 1963 Vatican ceremony enthroned Lucifer in Paul VI Hall, enabling global Satanism. Plays partial tape: child's voice drops to guttural roar, "I am many!" Furniture slams. Caller (ex-nun) confirms black mass in convent basement. Art: "Holy water sales skyrocket tonight."
Oct 31, 1998 (Final Full Show): Martin plays full exorcism tape: Latin commands, demon bargains ("Give me the girl, take the priest!"), final scream as entity exits with sulfur stench and cold wind. Room lights flicker on air. Caller hears growls through phone; another reports dog howling in sync. Martin: "Demons hate being recorded." Art ends with blessing.
Bonus specials: 1999 tribute replayed 1997 tape; 2000 "Malachi's Legacy" with guest exorcists. Callers: One claims demon "Z" follows after Ouija use; priest caller verifies Martin's Vatican intel.
Callers: One claims demon named "Z" after Martin; another hears growls on air.
The Rite of Exorcism: Martin's Step-by-Step Protocol
Martin followed the 1614 Roman Ritual, updated 1999. Key elements:
- Diagnosis: Rule out mental illness (psych eval first).
- Signs: Ancient languages, superhuman strength, aversion to sacred objects, hidden knowledge.
- Team: Priest, assistants, medical doctor. Room stripped, crucifix, holy water, relics.
- Invocation: Latin prayers, Psalm 67. Demon manifests: voice change, convulsions.
- Confrontation: Command name revelation. Demon resists, bargains.
- Expulsion: "Ego te expello!" Final departure: scream, stench, cold wind.
- Aftercare: Bless house, ongoing prayer. Relapse possible.
Father Martin: "It's war. Demons play dirty."
Iconic Cases from Hostage to the Devil
Martin's book anonymized but detailed five exorcisms:
| Case | Details | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| The Smiler | 1960s girl, incest trigger. Smiles during torture. | Exorcised after 40 days. |
| Father Michael | Priest possessed via Ouija. Speaks in victims' voices. | Freed; returns to ministry. |
| The Engineer | Scientist, rationalist. Levitates tools. | Success; converts fully. |
| Marianne | Teen, abortion link. Head spins, speaks dead languages. | Inspired 'Emily Rose' film. |
| Carl | Perfect possession. Voluntary Satanist priest. | No exorcism; dies unrepentant. |
Demonic Hierarchy & Vatican Conspiracy
Father Martin claimed demons follow ranks: incubi/succubi (sexual), territorial spirits, princes (e.g., Beelzebub). Father Martin also said many times the worst was a "perfect possession" where person consents to it. On Bell, he alleged 1963 Paul VI Hall ceremony enthroned Lucifer, enabling global Satanism. "The smoke of Satan has entered the Church." Ties to pedophile rings, black masses. Posthumous leaks (2020s Vatican docs) show exorcism requests spiked 800% since 2000.
Notable Quotes from Art Bell Shows
- "The demon will use your own sins against you." (1996)
- "Possession is rare, but invitation is common." (1997)
- "Ouija boards are doorways. Never joke." (1998)
- "The greatest trick is making people believe they don't exist." (On demons)
Legacy: From Taboo to Mainstream
The "Vatican exorcism conference" refers to an annual, week-long training course, officially named Exorcism and the Prayer of Liberation, hosted by the Vatican-affiliated Ateneo Pontificio Regina Apostolorum in Rome. Post-death, Father Martins tapes resurfaced on YouTube and got millions of views. The Vatican now reportedly trains 250+ exorcists annually. Skeptics cite psychology; believers point to physical evidence (scratches, burns).
As Father Martin often said: "Evil is real. So is the cure."