#USA #CO – Archbishop James Golka of the Archdiocese of Denver asked Fr. Chad Ripperger, a prominent Catholic priest, exorcist, and founder of the Society of the Most Sorrowful Mother (also known as the Doloran Fathers), to take a one-year break from public speaking and interviews. Fr. Ripperger obeyed the request, according to an official statement released by the archdiocese on October 19th, 2026.
The archdiocese stated that Archbishop Golka recently met with Fr. Ripperger to discuss his ministry and his community. “During that conversation, the Archbishop asked Fr. Ripperger to consider a one-year fast from public speaking and interviews. The time will allow him to devote himself to the Society and to the people it serves. Fr. Ripperger readily agreed. At the end of the year, they will review the arrangement together.” The statement added that the archbishop was “grateful for Fr. Ripperger’s priestly service, exorcism ministry, and for the generous spirit in which he received this request,” and asked the faithful to pray for him and the Society.
Fr. Ripperger, age 61, was ordained in 1997 for the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter. He later founded the Society of the Most Sorrowful Mother, a semi-contemplative community focused on spiritual warfare, deliverance ministry, and traditional Catholic liturgy, which was received into the Archdiocese of Denver. He became one of the most widely recognized English-speaking Catholic voices on exorcism and related topics after the death of Fr. Gabriele Amorth. His books and conference talks circulated widely, and in 2026 he appeared on high-profile podcasts, including extended interviews with Tucker Carlson and Shawn Ryan that reached millions of viewers and listeners.
Archbishop Golka, previously bishop of Colorado Springs (appointed by Pope Francis in 2021), was named Archbishop of Denver by Pope Leo XIV on February 7, 2026, succeeding Archbishop Samuel Aquila, and was installed on March 25, 2026. The Society of the Most Sorrowful Mother falls under his authority.
The archdiocese’s statement did not specify particular reasons for the request beyond allowing Fr. Ripperger to focus on his community, nor did it indicate whether the pause affected other priestly duties or stemmed from disciplinary concerns. No public canonical decree announcing a penalty or finding of doctrinal error was issued. Separately, Fr. Ripperger was briefly listed as “retired” in the archdiocese’s clergy directory online; that designation was removed after it was reported.
Earlier this year, the archbishop of Washington D.C. had removed a prominent exorcist from ministry due to opinions expressed online on the nature of aliens as demonic. Although Fr. Ripperger has not made similar comments, he has increased his prominence as he was received in high-profile podcasts and interviews, speaking on populist and political subjects, including the Epstein Files, Satanism and pedophilia among elite figures, which attracted the attention of many everyday viewers, Christian and non-Christian alike. His witness to the faith had undoubtedly resulted in conversions, particularly among survivors of evil forces and the demonic.
Social media reactions to the announcement of Fr. Ripperger’s departure from public life was met with vast criticism towards the archbishop. Many critics saw the news as an attempt to silence him, and although the motives from the archbishop are unclear, Fr. Ripperger’s obedience stands out as a continued testimony to his vocation and faith.
Cover Image: Absp. James Golka (left) and Fr. Chad Ripperger (right).
