The Public Profile of the Catholic Exorcist

The ministry of exorcism itself inhabits a delicate space within the life of the Church: it deals with extraordinary phenomena that naturally attract public attention, yet it is intended to direct attention away from itself and toward Christ.

While formal restrictions on exorcists are relatively uncommon, the Church has intervened when exorcists acquire an unusually high public profile.

1. Fr. Chad Ripperger (United States). In 2026, Archbishop James Golka of Denver requested that Fr. Ripperger undertake a year-long withdrawal from public speaking and interviews. Reports also indicate that restrictions had previously been imposed concerning his public statements on mental health and psychiatry. Whatever the underlying reasons, this is one of the clearest modern examples of a bishop limiting the public profile of a well-known exorcist.
2. Msgr. Stephen Rossetti (Archdiocese of Washington). Cardinal Robert McElroy removed Rossetti from his role as exorcist for the Archdiocese of Washington in 2026. McElroy later explained that his principal concern was that exorcism had become too public a ministry and that exorcists traditionally exercise their role in a private and discreet manner.
3. Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo (Zambia/Italy). Although better known as a former bishop than as an exorcist, Milingo gained international fame through healing and deliverance ministries. Over time, Vatican authorities repeatedly restricted and disciplined him because of a variety of concerns surrounding his ministry and later actions. His case illustrates the Church's longstanding wariness toward highly publicized ministries centered on extraordinary phenomena.
4. Fr. Carlos Martins (Canada/United States). Known for The Exorcist Files podcast and his exorcism ministry, Martins was ordered to leave a diocese following allegations of inappropriate conduct during a relic tour. The case was not primarily about exorcism itself, but it remains an example of a bishop restricting a priest associated with exorcism ministry.

Catholic exorcists perform one of the Church’s most extraordinary and sensitive ministries. Precisely because their work touches upon spiritual realities that fascinate the public imagination, they should be especially careful to avoid the spotlight. The exorcist’s vocation is not to become a religious celebrity but to serve quietly as an instrument of Christ’s power and mercy.

First, excessive publicity can distort the very purpose of the ministry. The Church teaches that Christ, not the exorcist, is the one who triumphs over evil. When attention becomes focused on the personality, experiences, or reputation of the priest, there is a risk that people may begin to place confidence in a particular individual rather than in God. The ministry of exorcism is meant to direct souls toward faith, repentance, prayer, and the sacraments, not toward fascination with dramatic spiritual phenomena.

Second, publicity can unintentionally encourage unhealthy curiosity. Human beings have long been drawn to mysteries, especially those involving the demonic. Yet an exaggerated focus on demons may distract from the central message of Christianity, which is the saving work of Jesus Christ. Catholic spirituality is fundamentally Christ-centered rather than demon-centered. The faithful are more likely to grow in holiness through ordinary prayer, frequent confession, worthy reception of the Eucharist, and works of charity than through consuming stories about extraordinary cases of possession.

Third, discretion protects those seeking help. Individuals who approach an exorcist are often enduring profound spiritual, psychological, or personal suffering. They deserve privacy and pastoral care rather than becoming subjects of public interest. A culture of publicity risks turning human suffering into a spectacle, even when such exposure is unintended.

Finally, humility has always been a hallmark of authentic Christian ministry. The saints generally sought obscurity rather than recognition, preferring that God's work be seen rather than their own. Exorcists, perhaps more than many others, should embody this principle. The greater the spiritual authority entrusted to them, the greater the need for humility, prudence, and self-effacement.

For these reasons, Catholic exorcists should shun the spotlight. Their mission is best fulfilled not through prominence or public attention, but through quiet fidelity to the Church, compassionate service to those in need, and a steadfast witness that all true spiritual victory belongs to Christ alone.

• www.cccb.ca/announcement/frequently-asked-questions-about-exorcism/
• www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_19850924_exorcism_en.html