In 17th-century Italy, a story unfolded that was so sensational it would be scrutinized and retold for centuries. Benedetta Carlini, a mystic nun, rose to power and scandal when charged with having a lesbian affair and being possessed by a demon. This tale is not just one of illicit romance or religious fervor, but a complicated narrative of gender, sexuality, and institutional power.
Benedetta Carlini’s life was marked by exceptional experiences from the beginning. She claimed to have mystical visions and was known to speak in tongues, even bearing the stigmata, the bodily wounds reminiscent of Christ’s crucifixion. Her religious community in Pescia, Italy, initially revered her, allowing her ascension to the rank of abbess. Yet, the relationship she had with another nun, Sister Bartolomea, cast her in a new, scandalous light. According to records, during interrogations, Bartolomea confessed that their relationship was of a sexual nature and that Benedetta engaged in frottage with her while under the possession of a male demon named Splenditello.
The Counter-Reformation papacy was vigilant and often suspicious of mystics, viewing them as potential heretics if they strayed from orthodox spirituality. Benedetta’s case was no exception. After several visits and investigations, it was determined that her spiritual experiences were fraudulent. She was stripped of her rank and imprisoned, a denouement that underlines the tenuous balance between veneration and vilification that female mystics often tread.
Benedetta Carlini’s case is not merely historical; it continues to resonate in the present day, finding its way into literature and cinema. Brian Levack has examined the Carlini case and other similar cases within the framework of his research on demonic possession and exorcism during the Baroque period in Europe, specifically the 17th and 18th centuries. On a different note, Rosemary Rowe, a Canadian playwright and director, has crafted a play centered around her romantic involvement with Sister Bartolomea, titled Benedetta Carlini: Lesbian Nun of Renaissance Italy. This play has gained recognition in popular culture.
Interestingly, the film highlights the complexities in Benedetta’s story—her quest for power in a male-dominated society, her sexuality, and her religious visions.