Divination and the Church's exorcist problem
"It is perilous to study too deeply the arts of the Enemy, for
good or for ill."
Elrond on the fall of Saruman
It’s been decades since I emerged from the influence of the occult. That’s a rather long story of metanoia, and I’ve touched on it elsewhere. I mention it here to explain my particular interest in the growing public scandal of Fr. Chad Ripperger, which impacts not only the spiritual and psychological safety of Catholics, but also millions of non-Catholics who have seen him elevated by prominent media personalities such as Tucker Carlson, Shawn Ryan, and Matt Fradd.
The title of this article is strongly worded, but it is not intended as clickbait. The disobedience of an exorcist should raise a legitimate alarm and be discussed earnestly as a threat to the holiness of precious souls. This I know because, while I don’t write as an expert on exorcism, involvement with the occult nearly led to my own spiritual and physical death. A former victim of divination-peddlers, I now feel an urgency to advocate for the vulnerable.
If we are to accept a man’s authority to teach on the most important things, we must first ask from whence comes his authority. In the case of any Catholic exorcist, that authority comes from Christ through the Church. Yet, this authority has limits, as the Church has laws guiding the actions of the exorcist that merit serious attention.
The question few seem to be asking is whether Fr. Ripperger is following those rules and, if perhaps he is not, what are the consequences of such disobedience in the context of his ministry? There has clearly been a shift in his public teaching, and many, including self-described traditionalists, are taking notice.
My purpose is to explore the question of obedience and to caution against the titillating practice of exploring the minds of demons—and then using that information to instruct the faithful. I sincerely hope, dear reader, that this article does not increase traffic to those who act as mouthpieces for the demonic. That would be like sharing photos of “adult entertainment,” ostensibly in opposition. This behavior serves only to multiply the damage. With that in mind, I won’t be linking to any of Father’s work.
The demonic is abusive. Stop disseminating, glorifying, and platforming the abuse.
More: https://x.com/melodymlyons/status/2042951260106584508?s=46&t=IydJ-X8H6c0NM044nYKQ0w
I disagree with that woman's opinion on Fr. Ripperger. He has authority given through his archbishop. An exorcist is the one who can speak with and command the enemy. Others should not.
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