Denver archbishop asks exorcist Father Ripperger to take year-long break from media
Archbishop James R. Golka of Denver has asked Father Chad Ripperger, a prominent exorcist and author, to observe a one-year fast from public speaking and interviews so he can focus on his religious community, the Society of the Most Sorrowful Mother. The priest agreed to the request.
Archbishop James R. Golka of Denver has asked Father Chad Ripperger, a priest known for his high-profile exorcism ministry and extensive media presence, to step back from public speaking and interviews for one year. The Archdiocese of Denver said the request was made during a recent meeting in which the archbishop and the priest discussed Ripperger’s ministry and his community, the Society of the Most Sorrowful Mother.
According to the archdiocese, Golka asked Ripperger «to consider a one-year fast from public speaking and interviews.» The recommendation is intended to allow the priest «to devote himself to the Society and to the people it serves,» the archdiocese said, adding that «Fr. Ripperger readily agreed.» The archdiocese confirmed that Ripperger remains a priest in good standing within its ecclesiastical territory.
The Society of the Most Sorrowful Mother, also known as the Doloran Fathers, is based in Keenesburg, Colorado. It describes itself as «a semi-contemplative society of priests who work in cooperation with the local bishop to provide the assistance to those in the most spiritual need.» The archbishop and Ripperger will review the arrangement at the one-year mark, according to the statement.
Archbishop Golka expressed gratitude for Ripperger’s priestly service and exorcism ministry, as well as for «the generous spirit in which he received this request.» The archdiocese asked the faithful to join in praying for Ripperger and for the Society.
Father Ripperger, 62, is a Wyoming native who was ordained in 1997 for the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, a community that celebrates Mass according to the Roman rite used before the Second Vatican Council. It is not clear when he left the fraternity. He has held faculties within the Archdiocese of Denver since 2017, according to a notice of appointments published by the Denver Catholic.
His exorcism ministry has extended across books, in-person appearances and social media videos. A website copyrighted in 2023 by Ripperger provides links to numerous texts, videos and audio recordings on topics including liturgical traditions, psychology, culture and spiritual warfare.
The request followed an Oct. 18 interview with the traditionalist Catholic website Sensus Fidelium, in which Ripperger spoke of invoking the name of Jesus to counter alien abductions. He appeared to reference «Alien Intrusion,» a book by biblical creationist Gary Bates that purports to recount instances where individuals thwarted alleged alien abductions by crying out to Jesus for help.
The decision echoes a similar move in June, when Cardinal Robert W. McElroy removed Monsignor Stephen Rossetti as an exorcist for the Archdiocese of Washington, citing concerns over social media comments «linking UFOs to demonic presence.» Rossetti remains a priest in good standing in that archdiocese. McElroy later told the Rome-based Catholic News Service that the decision «wasn’t touching on the question of UFOs,» but reflected his «major objection» to high-profile exorcists, whose role is traditionally «a very private» and «sacred one.»
The Archdiocese of Denver did not elaborate on how Ripperger’s public profile factored into the archbishop’s request. Ripperger has not publicly commented on the arrangement.
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