Paul Silvano

Father Paul Silvano is a serial killer who appears in Season Four of Criminal Minds.

Background
Paul Silvano was a Catholic Priest who was sanctioned by the Vatican to perform exorcisms. He and his colleague, Father Del Toro, attended Seminary together in Galicia, Spain.

Demonology
Silvano is first seen performing an exorcism on an unknown man who is thrashing and screaming wildly. We later learn that Prentiss' childhood friend, Matthew Benton, had died during an earlier exorcism. He, and two others had been in Galicia, Spain at the same time as Father Silvano.

In a small, dark room, with a single bed, one small window, and a sink, Silvano sits on the bed and stares at the photograph of a young man. After a moment he holds the photo to the candle's flame and watches as it burns, remembering the screams.

After investigating the previous murders, the BAU is able to get the name of the exorcist; Paul Silvano. They discover he is staying at a local hospital. This conclusion was drawn from Father James' statement that an exorcist would seek medical care after performing so many exorcisms. as the procedure is very taxing on the mind and body.

Father Silvano is confronted at the hospital. While dressing, he tells Prentiss to look in the top drawer of the end table. According to the paperwork she finds, Silvano has diplomatic immunity. The FBI can't touch him.

Later, Silvano is seen confronting Patrick Cavanaugh, insisting that he is possessed and in need of an exorcism. The priest rises to confront Patrick, the man from the photograph, holding the crucifix firmly before him. "I cast you out unclean spirit," the priest intones as Patrick demands that he leave his house. The priest's words go on, demanding the unclean spirit to depart back to hell as two young priests and another man drag Patrick, screaming, from the room.

John Cooley opens the door of his home and places his wet umbrella in the stand. Flipping on the light he sees the priest, Father Paul Silvano, standing in his foyer, dressed in vestments and stole. He places himself opposite the priest and tells him that the authorities are going to stop him. The priest calmly responds that they cannot, he has been ordained by God. John continues to argue, telling the priest to leave his home. "You don't frighten me, Belial," Silvano whispers, and two large priests come out of the shadows to take hold of John. "I'm stronger than you," John threatens, speaking Italian to the unmoving priest. "We'll see about that," he answers.

The BAU finally catches up with Silvano. Hotch had spoken to the Italian Consolate in an attempt to revoke Silvano's Immunity. The Consolate agreed, allowing the agents to arrest him. Silvano is walked away in cuffs, and is presumably extradited back to Italy.

Profile
Silvano appears to be performing fatal exorcisms as revenge for the death of another priest. The priest was seemingly killed with a powerful drug that induced a heart attack. Silvano believes that Valentine, Cooley, Benton, and Cavanaugh had killed him to suppress a series of pilgrimages. Silvano is also using the same drug in his Holy Water during the exorcisms.

Modus Operandi
Silvano used a powerful drug during his exorcisms that induced a heart attack in the victim. The unknown drug is invariably fatal. Silvano would then blame the deaths on the person's own dark soul. He tells the families of his victims that the subject is now in the hands of God and is safe from damnation.

Known Victims

 * Tommy Valentine
 * Matthew Benton
 * John Cooley
 * Patrick Cavanaugh

Appearances

 * Season Four
 * Demonology