Summary
Father Chad Ripperger, a traditionalist priest known for his controversial views, is back in the spotlight following a request from Archbishop Golka of Denver for him to take a one-year hiatus from public speaking and online appearances. This decision comes amid growing concerns about Ripperger's influence and the potential harm his teachings may cause, particularly regarding mental health and women. Ripperger has gained notoriety for his unorthodox beliefs, including claims that mental illnesses like bipolar disorder are manifestations of demonic possession and that women must submit to their husbands unconditionally.
Mike Lewis, a commentator on Catholic affairs, highlights the dangers of Ripperger's teachings, which he argues undermine both psychological well-being and the dignity of women. Ripperger's assertions about marriage, including the notion that consent is forfeited upon marriage, have raised alarms about the implications for marital relationships and the potential for abuse. Lewis emphasizes that Ripperger's popularity and the support he receives from certain church leaders reflect a broader issue within the Catholic Church, where harmful ideologies can proliferate unchecked.
The Archdiocese of Denver's statement regarding Ripperger's hiatus has been criticized for lacking clarity on whether this is a disciplinary measure, leaving many questions about accountability and the church's responsibility to protect its members from harmful teachings. As Ripperger continues to wield significant influence, the call for church leaders to take decisive action grows louder, with advocates urging them to prioritize the well-being of the faithful over the protection of controversial figures.
Show Notes
Today I’m sharing a conversation I had last week with Mike Lewis about Fr. Chad Ripperger of the Archdiocese of Denver. For the past several months, Mike and I have been wanting to record a discussion about Ripperger. Mike has written several really great articles at Where Peter Is about Ripperger over the last year or two. He is one of the few Catholic journalists who is bringing the many grave concerns about Ripperger to light. We’ve been waiting for the right time to record a conversation and then news broke this week that Ripperger was asked by Archbishop Golka to have a year long “fast” from public speaking. So we thought: Now's the right time. Mike Lewis is the founding managing editor of Where Peter Is. In addition to his work for the site, his writing has appeared in America Magazine, National Catholic Reporter, US Catholic, The Irish Catholic, Catholic Outlook, The Synodal Times, and other Catholic publications. He has been quoted in The Washington Post, Vanity Fair, The New York Post, and other mainstream outlets on Catholic affairs. He previously co-hosted the Field Hospital podcast with Jeannie Gaffigan and The Debrief podcast. Before founding Where Peter Is, he worked in communications at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Catholic Climate Covenant. He is married with four children. LINKS: Fr. Ripperger Steps Back: Denver Restricted Him in 2025https://wherepeteris.com/fr-ripperger-steps-back-denver-restricted-him-in-2025/ Fr. Ripperger’s Bizarre and Dangerous Views on Womenhttps://wherepeteris.com/fr-rippergers-bizarre-and-dangerous-views-on-women-part-1/ Fr. Ripperger’s Disturbing and Harmful Views on Marriagehttps://wherepeteris.com/fr-rippergers-disturbing-and-harmful-views-on-marriage/ The bizarre and dangerous views of a celebrity exorcisthttps://wherepeteris.com/the-bizarre-and-dangerous-views-of-a-celebrity-exorcist/ ABOUT THIRD SPACE: Third Space is the podcast for those who see the beauty of Catholicism, as well as the ugliness, who have experienced real harm AND real grace in the Church. Every episode I will have conversations with guests about the good and the bad in the Church—avoiding easy answers or black & white fundamentalism—in order to hold on to all that is true. SUPPORT THIS SHOW: Please consider becoming a paid subscriber. All of your support directly helps my family and allows me to continue working on projects like this podcast, the newsletter, as well as resources about spiritual abuse in the Catholic Church. www.catholicthirdspace.com LIVING SOLIDARITY: Living Solidarity upholds the infinite dignity of every person by addressing the reality of spiritual abuse and abuse of conscience in the Catholic Church. Living Solidarity helps to build a Church of integrity and solidarity by accompanying survivors of spiritual abuse with trauma-informed life coaching; equipping Church leaders and institutions to confront systemic harm; and creating resources grounded in psychological research and the Church’s Social Teaching. Visit livingsolidarity.com to learn more, to connect with Paul, to schedule individual life coaching, or to invite Paul to speak or consult with your community, parish, seminary, or diocese. ABOUT THE HOST: Paul Fahey is currently a professional counselor, retreat leader, and the host of the Third Space podcast. He provides counseling for those who have been spiritually abused and creates resources for Church leaders to better safeguard their communities against all forms of abuse. He previously worked for eight years as the Director of Religious Education at a Catholic parish. Paul Fahey lives in Michigan with his wife, Kristina, and their five kids.
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