Denver Archbishop Orders Celebrity Exorcist to One-Year Media Hiatus
Denver Archbishop James Golka has directed Rev. Chad Ripperger to cease public speaking and media appearances for one year to focus on his religious community.
POLICY WIRE — Denver, USA — A prominent Catholic exorcist based in the Denver Archdiocese is stepping away from the public eye for a one-year period at the request of his archbishop.
The Rev. Chad Ripperger, whose commentary on spiritual warfare has attracted millions of views across social media platforms, will dedicate this year-long fast to the Society of the Most Sorrowful Mother, the religious order he established. The Archdiocese of Denver confirmed in a Monday statement that the decision followed a meeting between Ripperger and Archbishop James Golka.
According to the archdiocese, Ripperger accepted the directive willingly, and Archbishop Golka expressed appreciation for the priest’s ministry and his cooperative attitude. The two parties intend to review the status of this arrangement once the year concludes.
The move follows a recent trend of high-profile exorcists facing scrutiny over their online presence. Earlier this year, Cardinal Robert McElroy removed Monsignor Stephen Rossetti from his role in the Washington, D.C., Archdiocese after Rossetti suggested in a viral video that UFOs were demonic in nature.
Ripperger himself recently drew attention for a nearly three-hour appearance on the Shawn Ryan Show, where he claimed that aliens are simply demons and dismissed evolutionary theory. He has also been a frequent guest on conservative media outlets, including The Tucker Carlson Show.
Massimo Faggioli, a theology professor at Villanova University, noted that the rise of celebrity clergy presents a complex challenge for church leadership. He explained that while bishops seek to maintain a reliable and traditional image, the ability of online personalities to monetize their influence creates a unique theological and administrative tension.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
