Denver archbishop asks prominent exorcist to step out of media spotlight for 1 year

A priest known for his high-profile exorcism ministry has been asked by a Colorado archbishop to step back from the spotlight.

Archbishop James R. Golka of Denver has asked Father Chad Ripperger "to consider a one-year fast from public speaking and interviews," according to an Oct. 19 statement from the Archdiocese of Denver.

The archdiocese confirmed to OSV News by email that Father Ripperger "remains a priest in good standing" within its ecclesiastical territory.

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The request for the media appearance fast was delivered during a recent meeting between the archbishop and the priest "to discuss his ministry and his community, the Society of the Most Sorrowful Mother," said the archdiocese.

The Keenesburg, Colorado-based community, also known as the Doloran Fathers, 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 archdiocese said Archbishop Golka's recommendation will enable Father Ripperger "to devote himself to the Society and to the people it serves," adding, "Fr. Ripperger readily agreed."

According to the statement, the archbishop and the priest "will review the arrangement" at the one-year mark.

The archdiocese said that "Archbishop Golka is grateful for Fr. Ripperger’s priestly service, exorcism ministry, and for the generous spirit in which he received this request."

"We ask the faithful to join us in praying for Fr. Ripperger and for the Society," said the archdiocese.

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The 62-year-old Father Ripperger, a Wyoming native, was ordained in 1997 for the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, a community of priests, which celebrates Mass according to the form of the Roman rite used prior to the Second Vatican Council.

It is not clear when Father Ripperger departed the FSSP. He has had faculties within the Archdiocese of Denver since 2017, according to a notice of appointments published by the Denver Catholic.

OSV News is awaiting a response to its request for comment from Father Ripperger.

Father Ripperger's exorcism ministry spans a number of books, in-person appearances and social media videos.

The website sensustraditionis.org, which states that it was copyrighted in 2023 by Father Ripperger, provides links to numerous texts, videos and audio recordings by the priest on an array of topics, including liturgical traditions, psychology, culture and spiritual warfare.

In an Oct. 18 interview with the traditionalist Catholic website Sensus Fidelium, Father 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, which purports to recount instances where individuals thwarted alleged alien abductions by crying out to Jesus for help.

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In June, Cardinal Robert W. McElroy removed Msgr. Stephen Rossetti as an exorcist for the Archdiocese of Washington, citing concerns over social media comments "linking UFOs to demonic presence." The monsignor remains a priest in good standing in that archdiocese.

Cardinal McElroy later explained to the Rome-based Catholic News Service that the decision "wasn't touching on the question of UFOs," but the result of his "major objection" to high-profile exorcists, whose role is traditionally "a very private" and "sacred one."

(Gina Christian is a national reporter for OSV News. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, at @GinaJesseReina.)