Chad Ripperger

Possession and demons

In a 2015 interview during his time in the Society of the Most Sorrowful Mother as a member of SMD (Doloran Fathers), Ripperger stated that Hollywood portrayals of possession are "exaggerated and tend toward the sensational"^[9] and that actual possession cases were extraordinarily rare; "in some 150 interviews the SMD conducted last year, only three were found to be cases of demonic possession".^[9] On the nature of demonic possession, Ripperger notes that while exceedingly rare, true cases involve manifestations outside human capacity, such as speaking unlearned languages or possessing hidden knowledge. He emphasizes the need to reassure the faithful that such diabolical influences are uncommon.^[9] In his 2022 theological treatise Dominion: The Nature of Diabolic Warfare, he systematically outlines the spiritual mechanics of demonic activity, positing that demons operate strictly within the bounds permitted by Divine Providence.^[10] In 2022, Catholic speaker and author Chris Stefanick interviewed Ripperger, during which he stated that demons are "on a short leash"^[11] and "can only do what Christ permits."^[11] In 2024, Ripperger spoke at an event at Colorado State University, where he stated that "only 0.5% of the population is possessed"^[12] and described demonic influence as occurring through "diabolic oppression, obsession and possession".^[12] He argues that God permits demonic activity so that individuals can grow in virtue, but that behaviors such as engaging in premarital sex, watching pornography, or drug use make individuals more susceptible.^[12] Regarding the Blessed Virgin Mary, Ripperger frequently highlights her immense power over the demonic. He has recounted a theological discussion with a demon during an exorcism in which the demon corrected his understanding of Mary's life. When Ripperger suggested the Assumption was her moment of greatest glory, the demon clarified three distinct moments:

"Her greatest triumph was her Assumption... her greatest honor is her Coronation... her greatest glory is standing at the foot of the Cross of Her Son in perfect virtue."^[1]

Deliverance ministry and the laity

In his 2016 manual, Deliverance Prayers for Use by the Laity, Ripperger outlines prayers intended for spiritual combat by the laity. The book, which carries an imprimatur from the Archdiocese of Denver, draws a strict theological distinction between the spiritual authority of priests and laypeople.^[13] Ripperger distinguishes between "deprecatory" prayers, which petition God for intervention, and "binding" prayers, where an individual directly commands an evil spirit.^[13] He strongly cautions that laypeople must only use prayers of command within their direct natural or spiritual authority (such as a parent praying over a child or an individual over their own finances) to avoid retaliation from the demonic.^[13] Included in the manual are specific prayers designed for lay use, such as the "Prayer Against Oppression," in which the individual invokes the merits of Christ's wounds to claim authority over their life and possessions, commanding attached spirits to leave.^[13] It also contains deprecatory prayers requesting angelic protection over a household, such as the "Prayer for Protection Against Curses, Harm and Accidents":

Ripperger emphasizes throughout his writings and public talks that deliverance prayers are "not magic spells" and that their efficacy is secondary to living a rigorous sacramental life, receiving frequent Confession, and cultivating personal virtue.^[13]

Guardian angels

In his teachings on guardian angels, Ripperger emphasizes their purely spiritual nature and their placement within a strict angelic hierarchy. He teaches that each guardian angel was created by God with a specific, singular purpose to watch over one individual person. In a lecture on the subject, Ripperger offered a personal reflection on the relationship between humans and their guardian angels:

"The definition of love is willing the good of another... which means that the first choice that your guardian angel made was to love you... so on his side there's only love and only a desire for your salvation."^[14]

He further advises that the degree of a guardian angel's involvement in a person's life is largely dependent on the individual's willingness to pray to them and foster a spiritual relationship.^[14]

Liturgy and tradition

Ripperger writes extensively on the necessity of adhering to traditional Catholic practice and the Ancient Rite. In his writings, he argues that the widespread rejection of tradition following Vatican II is fundamentally an act of impiety, defining piety as the virtue of giving honor to one's superiors and forefathers:

"Piety is the virtue by which one gives honor to those who are above oneself as well as care of those who are entrusted to a person. Refusal to follow the tradition or rejection of the tradition... is rooted in impiety. It is against piety to constantly change everything, because it is a rejection of the work of our forefathers."^[15]

He further critiques modern approaches to the Mass, asserting that worship should be objective rather than experiential:

"We often see this today: people expect the liturgy to be conformed to their emotional states rather than they conforming themselves to an objective cult, which conforms itself to God."^[15]

Harry Potter and magic

In 2019, Ripperger advised Catholics to avoid the Harry Potter series. Regarding author J.K. Rowling, he claimed:

"She went to witch school before she wrote the books... some of the spells in the novels are real spells."^[16]

He asserted that because the spells appear in Latin, they pose a danger, claiming that a woman in Spain had burned down her house while attempting one.^[16] The claim sparked debate among Catholic commentators regarding the line between harmless fiction and the occult, with apologists like Trent Horn questioning the factual basis of his claims regarding Rowling,^[16] while others noted that former chief exorcist of Rome Gabriele Amorth held similar views regarding the spiritual dangers of depicting magic positively.^[17]

Women working outside the home

In 2019, citing the Manuale Theologiae Moralis,^[18] Ripperger stated:

"It is a mortal sin for a woman to work outside the home without a sufficient reason."

Reflecting traditionalist Catholic teachings on the family, he argued that unnecessarily seeking a career or pursuing a higher standard of living when not financially required could become grave matter if it undermines a child's moral and psychological formation.^[19]

Stop the Steal controversy

In January 2021, a report circulated that Ripperger had shared a “Prayer of Command” urging Jesus to "banish evil spirits"^[20] in an effort to "Stop the Steal." Ripperger later clarified that while he had composed a deliverance prayer, the political group "modified it"^[21] and that he "never said to say it to stop the steal."^[21] He stated that he had only encouraged people "to say a prayer for the integrity of the election."^[21]

Mental health and bipolar disorder

Ripperger explores the intersection of spiritual and psychological ailments extensively in his 2013 book, Introduction to the Science of Mental Health, where he utilizes traditional Thomistic psychology and Catholic anthropology to evaluate modern psychological practices.^[22] However, his specific views on mental illness have prompted debate over his boundary definitions between psychology and the demonic. He stated:

"Bipolar is actually a form of obsession, demonic obsession by the time it gets to the point where it’s diagnosable."^[23]

This comment drew criticism for potentially discouraging individuals from seeking medical treatment.^[23] Supporters noted that Ripperger qualifies this by explaining that if a condition is psychological, it will "be physiologically based or it will be triggered by certain objects or events,"^[24] whereas demonic influence "will have no correspondence to anything whatsoever".^[24]

Biological evolution

In contrast with the positions articulated by Pope Pius XII in Humani Generis (1950)^[25] and successive popes—who affirmed that evolutionary theory is compatible with Catholic teaching and may point to a divine creator—Ripperger rejects biological evolution. In his 2012 academic text, The Metaphysics of Evolution, Ripperger approaches the topic through a strictly Thomistic philosophical framework.^[26] He considers evolutionary development "absurd"^[27] and metaphysically improbable, asserting that "one species does not have the existence of the essence in itself... to confer it to another species."^[28] In 2025, Ripperger hosted the "Restore Truth Conference"^[29] with Hugh Owen and Robert Sungenis aimed at countering "Darwinian evolution and alien deception."^[30]

Extraterrestrial life

Ripperger holds that alleged extraterrestrial beings—specifically the archetype known as "Grays"—are actually demons masquerading as aliens. In a 2025 appearance on the Avoiding Babylon podcast, he argued that this demonic deception creates an "intermediate non-moral" identity to lure people into spiritual confusion.^[27] During a June 2026 appearance on the Rules for Retrogrades podcast, Ripperger expanded on this by explaining that human beings are the only rational physical animals in the order of creation. Regarding highly intelligent, non-human entities manifesting as aliens, he asserted:

"It is a demonic attempt to supplant Christianity and supplant how we actually understand both philosophically and theologically man's relationship to God."^[31]

He claimed that other exorcists have witnessed possessed individuals morph into the physical likeness of "Grays," but that the phenomena dissipates when the victim invokes the name of Jesus.^[31] In an interview on the Shawn Ryan Show, Ripperger further characterized the recent cultural and political focus on UFOs as a "diabolic diversionary tactic" orchestrated by demonic forces to distract the public from "moral degeneracy" and occult activities among global elites, specifically citing the Jeffrey Epstein scandal as an example.^[32] He argues that because demons fear exposure, they use the alien narrative to misdirect attention while offering a false savior narrative ("we're here to save humanity") that attempts to supplant Jesus Christ.^[32]

End times and the Antichrist

Based on Catholic prophecy and his observations of diabolic activity, Ripperger believes the world is approaching a period of chastisement. He notes a shift in demonic strategy where demons are now emboldened to attack "good families," an indicator that "they know their time is short" and that God will soon intervene.^[32] Regarding the Antichrist, Ripperger asserts that his global rule will be established primarily through economic control rather than traditional governance. He theorizes that the implementation of a unified worldwide economy, such as digital currency tied to a social credit score, will serve as the mechanism to enforce compliance.^[32] He interprets the Mark of the Beast as a direct inversion of the spiritual mark of Baptism, suggesting it could take the form of physical technology (like an RFID chip or neural link) required to participate in the economy, which will demand a renunciation of Christ to receive.^[32] Furthermore, Ripperger teaches that the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem will never be rebuilt. Instead, he interprets the prophetic "abomination of desolation" mentioned in the Book of Daniel as referring to a future compromise within the Catholic Church itself, rather than a physical temple.^[32]

Society of Saint Pius X and 2026 episcopal consecrations

During his June 2026 appearance on Rules for Retrogrades, Ripperger commented on the Society of Saint Pius X's (SSPX) plans to consecrate four new bishops on July 1, 2026, without a papal mandate. While expressing general sympathy toward the SSPX, he advised against the ordinations, warning that proceeding without papal approval is canonically an excommunicable offense and urging the society to seek an agreement with the Vatican.^[31] Ripperger contested the SSPX's defense of their actions under a canonical "state of emergency." He noted that there is no official magisterial consensus defining a "state of emergency,"^[31] and argued that a global emergency does not exist since traditional priests can still practice their ministry within approved Catholic structures. He also criticized the Vatican's handling of the situation, arguing that if the Vatican strictly enforces excommunications against the SSPX, it should show similar consistency in censuring state-controlled Catholic ordinations in China.^[31]