The Devil in Rome is Rachel Mastrogiacomo’s powerful book about abuse and cover-ups in the Catholic Church. It was published by Liber Christo Press and released on December 3, 2025.
Rachel is a devout Catholic who survived extreme clerical abuse. Her story exposes disturbing practices and hidden crimes. By sharing her experience, she forces the Church and its faithful to confront uncomfortable truths. Rachel wants to end the silence that protects abusers. She also encourages other victims to speak out.
While studying theology in Rome, Rachel met Jacob Bertrand. He was then a deacon and later became a priest. Bertrand used his spiritual authority to groom her. He introduced “spiritual direction,” personal journals, and mystic-sounding ideas like a “mystical marriage.” Eventually, this led to physical abuse under the guise of a “private Mass.”
On two occasions, Bertrand held private Masses with her. During these Masses, he sexually abused her. He told her she was becoming “Christ’s special bride.” Bertrand was later prosecuted, pleaded guilty, and was laicized.
After years of silence, Rachel sought justice. Her complaints to the diocese were ignored and dismissed. Frustrated, she went public. She took her abuser to court and decided to tell her full story.
Why the Book Matters Now
A key part of Rachel’s story involves Bishop McElroy. When she reported the abuse, his diocese allegedly failed to act. Bertrand stayed in ministry for over a year after admitting guilt. In 2025, when McElroy became a cardinal and Archbishop of Washington, D.C., Rachel publicly protested. She called him “criminally complicit” in her abuse and cover-up.
Her book reminds Catholics that high-ranking leaders are not always holy. Blind obedience can enable abuse. The Devil in Rome challenges readers to be vigilant, informed, and discerning.
The book teaches that power and holiness are not the same. Silence and cover-ups destroy lives. Without transparency and accountability, abuse continues under authority. Reading The Devil in Rome can help Catholics be more compassionate to victims. It also urges faithful Catholics to demand accountability and support lasting reform.
Especially in times of crisis for the Church, testimonies like Rachel’s are crucial. They help the Church confront uncomfortable truths for justice, protection, and renewal. Her story encourages Catholics to be aware and mindful of the leaders they follow.
Why Faithful Catholics Should Support The Devil in Rome?
Supporting Rachel Mastrogiacomo’s book, The Devil in Rome, is a vital act of witness for faithful Catholics committed to defending the Church and safeguarding the sanctity of the Holy Eucharist against internal corruption. The following points are drawn directly from her sworn testimony and from documented evidence. Quoted words were taken from Rachel’s interview by Jesse Romero.
- Defending our Eucharistic Lord. The most profound reason to support this book is the defense of the Blessed Sacrament. Rachel testifies that her abuser, Jacob Bertrand, committed “heinous works of darkness” and “sexually injured her in humiliating and degrading ways during the central liturgical ritual of the Catholic Church: The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass”. To love Jesus in the Eucharist is to refuse to remain silent about its desecration for “satanic magical rituals”.
- Exposing a Widespread Pattern of Abuse. Rachel’s case is not an isolated incident. Expert Kyle Clement, a long-time assistant to renowned exorcist Fr. Chad Ripperger, notes that her experiences share “several common markers” with other victims of clerical satanic abuse. Her story serves as a “window” into a “behemoth network of members in the hierarchy” involved in diabolical events.
- A Matter of Public Record. For those who doubt, the evidence is substantial. Jacob Bertrand “pleaded guilty to his felony crimes in criminal court”. Furthermore, Rachel has made her full victim impact statement and “official court documents” easily accessible online for public review.
- Supported by Leading Exorcists. Rachel’s testimony has been validated by “faithful exorcists” and “occult experts”. Her own exorcist concluded that she had been targeted by a “Satanic practitioner” who had “infiltrated the hierarchy”. Their support provides a spiritual and professional weight to her account.
- Standing Against Intimidation. The truth of this story is underscored by the attempts to suppress it. Rachel was “directly threatened” by her perpetrator on the eve of the book’s original publishing date. Supporting this work means standing with a survivor who has overcome “trauma-based mind control” and “cancerous silence” to finally reclaim her voice.
- Resisting Complicit Clericalism. The book exposes the “plague of internal corruption” and the “blind eye” turned by high-ranking prelates. Rachel provides evidence of “criminal complicity” and cover-ups involving figures like Cardinal Robert McElroy. Supporting this book is a refusal to be complicit in the silence that allows such “wolves in sheep’s clothing” to rise to power.
“If I make it to heaven, it will be because I crawled my way there, beaten and bruised, rejoicing over every wound inflicted upon me by corrupt, complicit, and even silent clergy. And also silent laity. This is how I fight my battles. This is how I remain a joyful Catholic in communion with Holy Mother Church.” – Rachel Mastrogiacamo at The Jesse Romero Show.
For anyone still doubting Rachel’s account, here are the words of Dr. Janet Smith, a highly respected Catholic philosopher and moral theologian in the United States:
“The court records are all posted on purifythechurch.com. They will show that Bertrand, Rachel’s abuser, now laicized, pled guilty to a felony crime of sexual misconduct. That is the most fundamental fact that needs to be recognized. That any devout Catholic would fabricate the story that Rachel reports seems quite unbelievable. How did she get Bertrand to plead guilty? Who would plead guilty if the charges were false? I suspect God permits individuals to spread such lies because they need prayers.”
References
Ruth Institute. (2022, August 19). A Survivor of Occult Clergy Abuse Tells Her Story.
LifeSiteNews. (2025, January 9). Sexual abuse victim slams Pope Francis for appointing McElroy to DC archdiocese.
LifeSiteNews. (2025, March 8). Rachel Mastrogiacomo calls attention to clergy sex abuse in letter to Trump, Vance, legislators.
LifeSiteNews. (2025, March 13). Catholics protest Cardinal McElroy’s installation in DC, alleged abuse cover-up.
Ruth Institute. The Dark Side of the Clergy. Mastrogiacomo, R. (n.d.). Facebook page.
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