The Diocese of Waterford and Lismore has confirmed “work is in progress” in forming an exorcism team, but is keeping tight lipped about the facts.

The priest heading the deliverance team is “still in training” and his identity can’t be revealed according to DCO Fr Liam Power.

After a conversation with the bishop he told The Irish Catholic that the diocese, under the direction of Canon law, will keep the identity of the priest involved anonymous. It is up to the bishop to give permission for a solemn exorcism to take place and only after a medical examination of the individual to exclude possibility of mental illness.

Fr Power couldn’t confirm how many individuals are involved or when they will finish training.

This comes as Bishop Phonsie Cullinan confirmed during an interview with WLR FM’s Déise Live programme in October that he was organising a team to work in deliverance ministry.

“I am just setting up a group, actually, of people who want to be part of delivery ministry, if you like,” he said.

“This is something that has to be done in secret because you don’t let these people’s names out and they are going to houses where people maybe have been involved in some kind of new age thing or some kind of séance or that kind of thing and, unfortunately, they’ve opened up a door to an evil force, Satan.”

Bishop Phonsie said he had received nine requests in recent years from people requesting the service of an exorcist.