Bishop Who Left Clergy for Erotica Writer Accused of Being ‘Possessed’

A former Spanish Bishop has been accused of being “possessed” after he left the clergy to be in a relationship with an erotic fiction writer and began working at a company that exports pig semen. 

Xavier Novell, the ex-Bishop emeritus of Solsona, made headlines in September after Spanish media reported that he had fallen for Silvia Caballol, a psychologist and erotic novelist. Caballol has authored the books “The Hell of Gabriel’s Lust” and the “Amnesia Trilogy,” the Amazon summary of which includes the question: “What happens when attraction is stronger than any code of ethics or social norms?” 

Novell was widely considered a rising figure within the Spanish Catholic Church, where he performed exorcisms, according to the Spanish media. He also promoted (and reportedly underwent) harmful “gay conversion” therapy described by victims as “aggressive and destructive.” After resigning, Novell disappeared from public view and has not appeared in the media. 

Last week, Novell again found himself making headlines after Spanish media reported that he had begun working Semen Cardona, a company which produces and exports high-quality pig semen to over 20 countries in Europe, America, Asia and Africa. “We prepare and distribute porcine semen of high genetic value,” the company’s website states, “from fresh and frozen doses of the best genetics worldwide and with the maximum guarantees of quality, prolificacy and biosafety.” 

Semen Cardona could not immediately be reached for comment. 

Some of Novell’s former colleagues have reportedly criticized his decision to leave the church, as well as his new occupation. Citing conversations with members of the Diocese of Solsona, Spanish national newspaper ABC wrote that some clergymen thought he was “possessed by the devil.” Speaking of his new job, a priest who reportedly knows Novell compared his actions to the Parable of the Prodigal Son, in which a son squanders his father’s money. 

“It’s like the Parable of the Prodigal Son in the Gospel of Luke, the son who abandoned the Father to lead a debaucherous life, and ended up wishing to eat pig slop,” the priest reportedly told ABC. “But in this case it’s the beast/devil, because he masturbates them.”

Debaucherous or not, Novell appears to be continuing with his life for now and, according to the regional Regio7 newspaper, is set to marry Caballol this week. 

The Diocese of Solsona did not immediately respond to a request for comment.