Trump signs bill to reopen SSocial Security, Medicare opt-ins for priests, clergy
President Donald Trump signed into law a measure that allows clergy — including Catholic priests and bishops — to opt back in to Social Security and Medicare if they had previously opted out of the program.
Under the tax code, clergy may opt out of Social Security and Medicare taxes for ministerial work but cannot receive the benefits if they do. A person who opts out typically cannot reverse that decision, but the law, supported by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), opens a two-year window for members of clergy to opt back in if they have changed their minds.
The law, signed on Oct. 20, allows clergy members to opt back in during the 2029 or 2030 tax years, but they must still meet the standard contribution requirements to receive benefits. The House of Representatives passed the bill 350-5 on April 27, and the Senate cleared it by unanimous consent on Sept. 30.
According to a news release from the House Ways and Means Committee, about 2,000 people take the opt-out. This is the third time Congress offered a temporary window for clergy to reverse their opt-outs, with the last time being 1999.
“America’s pastors and faith leaders spend their lives caring for others,” Rep. Jason Smith, R-Missouri, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, said in a statement.
“Many chose to opt out of Social Security when they were young and just starting their ministry,” he said. “A single, sometimes ill-advised, decision made decades ago should not stand between them and a secure retirement.”
Support from Catholic bishops
When reached for comment, the USCCB referred EWTN News to an April 14 letter supportive of the bill, signed by Archbishop Shelton Fabre, chair of the USCCB Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, and Archbishop Ronald Hicks, chair of the USCCB Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations.
The letter states that the bill offers “much needed relief and support for priests and religious who previously opted out of Social Security and Medicare to opt back into the programs.”
“For one reason or another, many clergy members, often decades prior and due to inaccurate financial advice, opted out of contributing,” the letter states.
It adds that the bill helps clergy “move toward a more complete retirement” and offers a “more comprehensive financial and physical wellbeing as they transition into the next phase of their lives and ministries.”
“Priests and religious have spent their lives in service to Christ by ministering to the faithful and those in need,” the letter adds. “[The legislation helps] enable them to obtain better financial and physical health in their retirement.”
In exchange with religious sister, Vance says government tries to strike ‘balance’ on immigration
Vice President JD Vance last week said the federal government is always attempting to strike a “balance” when dealing with mass illegal immigration into the country.
Vance, who is Catholic, was responding to a question from Sister Nancy Sylvester of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary religious order. The exchange took place during an Oct. 17 town hall broadcast on CBS News.
Sister Nancy told the vice president that some of the institute’s sisters minister at the southern border and that they are “constantly seeing families who are affected by our immigration policies,” including through family separations involving young children.
Speaking to Vance as a fellow Catholic, the religious sister asked him: “How would you justify to people of faith, especially those of us who try to follow the Gospel, how the behavior of the [U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement] men and women can constantly be justified in terms of the kind of values we want to live by?”
Telling Sister Nancy that he would pray for her, Vance responded that the government is “trying to strike the right balance” in its immigration policies.
“When you have a country where approximately 25 million illegal aliens have come in over the past 30 or so years, many of them completely unchecked and unvetted — weʼre trying to strike a balance between how [we do] law enforcement, but how do we also do it humanely, and how do we not do so little law enforcement that you actually empower some of the worst people in the world?” he said.
The Republican vice president referred to the issue as a “work in progress” that includes millions of immigrants in the country illegally and “hundreds and hundreds of thousands of law enforcement officers.”
He admitted that federal agents make mistakes and at times “really screw up,” though he said the government “[doesn’t] always advertise” the disciplinary process.
“[W]e believe that people have to be judged in a court of law and through a normal investigatory process,” Vance said.
He cited the numerous criminal elements that sometimes accompany illegal immigration, including heavy drug trade and sex slavery. “[D]espite what some people say in the press, I promise you that we wake up every day and we try to balance law enforcement with humane law enforcement,” he said.
The Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary are headquartered in Monroe, Michigan. Their ministries include hospitals, teaching, and long-term care facilities.
The order was founded by Mother Theresa Maxis Duchemin, the first U.S.-born Black woman to become a religious sister.
PHOTOS: Lord of Miracles image enters Peru’s Government Palace for first time in 40 years
On Monday, Oct. 19, the image of the Lord of the Miracles entered the Courtyard of Honor at the Government Palace of Peru, where it was received by President Keiko Fujimori and her ministers.
The original image was painted by a slave on an adobe wall around 1651 and survived the massive earthquake of 1655, which was considered miraculous given the scale of destruction. Subsequently, other miracles were associated with the image.
The last time the Cristo Moreno (Dark-skinned Christ) was welcomed at the seat of the Peruvian executive branch was in 1986, during the first administration of the late former president Alan García.
The image’s arrival was accompanied by honors from the presidential guard. Members of the Brotherhood of the Lord of Miracles were responsible for carrying the processional platform into the headquarters of the executive branch.
During the event, Fujimori paused before the imposing image, made the sign of the cross, touched the processional platform with her right hand, and prayed for a brief moment. Her ministers followed suit, making the same sign of respect and devotion.
Subsequently, the officials placed floral arrangements featuring the colors of the Peruvian flag at the feet of the sacred image. Fujimori also presented candles, a national coat of arms, and white flowers in homage to the Christ of Pachacamilla, another name for the image.
The Lord of Miracles makes its way through the streets of Lima
Once the acts of homage concluded, the Lord of the Miracles image was processed through the streets of Lima, accompanied by thousands of devotees. As it passed, a display of fireworks resounded in the sky.
Throughout the procession, the faithful accompanied the processional platforms along various streets in the historic center of Lima. The procession also entered the Dos de Mayo National Hospital, where patients, staff, and devotees were able to approach the image.
This story was first published by EWTN News Español, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
Indianapolis to host National Eucharistic Congress in 2029
The next National Eucharistic Congress will return to Indianapolis in 2029, organizers said, aiming to build on the momentum of the 2024 gathering that drew more than 60,000 Catholics.
“When I look back on the journey that brought us to the 10th National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, I am in awe at what the Lord did to bring us to 2024 and what he continues to do,” Bishop Andrew Cozzens, chair of the board of the National Eucharistic Congress Inc., said in an Oct. 21 press release. “Today, I am filled with gratitude and excitement to announce that Indianapolis will once again host the National Eucharistic Congress in 2029.”
Organizers cited “careful consideration of potential host cities and venues across the country,” the release said, noting Indianapolis’ central location and existing infrastructure as key reasons behind the decision.
The 2029 congress was announced in February with Jason Shanks, CEO of the National Eucharistic Congress, saying at the time that the location would be revealed later.
“The Lord has already shown us what can happen when we place Jesus Christ in the Eucharist at the center and surrender our lives to Him,” said Cozzens of the Diocese of Crookston, Minnesota. “I believe the Lord wants to do even more than He did before. I believe He is bringing about a great movement of evangelization in our country. 2029 in Indianapolis will be a powerful moment to invite the Holy Spirit to unite and strengthen us. God has already shown us He will not be outdone in generosity when the Church gathers to worship Him. See you in Indy in 2029!”
Organizers said they later will release information about dates, registration, programming, and participation.
The 2024 National Eucharistic Congress, the first such event to take place on U.S. soil since World War II, attracted tens of thousands of people for several massive sessions of Eucharistic adoration in Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium, numerous talks and workshops related to the Catholic faith, and a Eucharistic procession through downtown Indianapolis.
Data following the event also showed “renewed participation in Eucharistic adoration and Confession, greater reverence at Mass, increased confidence among clergy in preaching about the Real Presence, and growth in parish evangelization and service,” according to the press release.
Pope Leo XIV needs no further treatment after lung cancer surgery, Vatican says
VATICAN CITY — The Vatican Press Office issued an important statement Wednesday evening on Pope Leo XIVʼs recovery following his Oct. 13 surgery, confirming that no further treatment is necessary.
The brief statement provided a significant update on the popeʼs postoperative condition.
“Dr. Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora report the following regarding the popeʼs postoperative recovery: Today, the final histological examinations and molecular biology tests on the tissue removed during the Holy Fatherʼs surgery were completed. The results confirmed that it was pulmonary adenocarcinoma and that the disease was localized. A subsequent oncological assessment confirmed that no further treatment is necessary,” the statement said.
The news that Pope Leo XIV will not require additional treatment following his surgery is an announcement that the world had been awaiting.
Pope Leo XIV was discharged from Romeʼs Gemelli Hospital on Oct. 17 and returned to the Vatican.
On Oct. 21, he held his first general audience since the operation. Appearing to be in excellent spirits, the pope was undeterred by the rain in Rome.
He wanted to be close to the faithful and thank them for their prayers for his health.
This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
Bishops’ November meeting to focus on AI, immigration, evangelization
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will livestream the public portion of its November meeting, where bishops will discuss artificial intelligence, immigration, and evangelization, while voting on liturgical texts, canonization causes, and conference leadership positions.
The 2026 Fall Plenary Assembly in Baltimore is set for Nov. 16–19, with public portions on Nov. 17–18.
The gathering, which has been livestreamed for the past 15 years, also will include addresses by Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, USCCB president, and by Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, papal nuncio to the United States.
Bishop Oscar Cantù of the Diocese of San José, California, will address the bishops on AI. He chairs the Task Force on Preserving Human Dignity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, which the USCCB created this year to advance the Church’s priorities on AI, as laid out in Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical Magnifica Humanitas.
An address by Bishop Brendan J. Cahill of the Diocese of Victoria, Texas, who chairs the Committee on Migration, will provide an update one year after U.S. bishops adopted a special message that opposes “the indiscriminate mass deportation of people.”
Bishop Robert J. Brennan of Brooklyn, New York, who chairs the Committee for Cultural Diversity in the Church, will address the bishops on the Guadalupan Novena. The bishops are also expected to vote on an annual observance of a Day of Prayer for Racial Justice.
The bishops also plan to discuss evidence of increased conversions and a reported resurgence of religious interest among young adults in a panel presentation on new life in the Church.
Catholics can also expect votes on whether the bishops support investigating the canonization causes for Maria Middleton and Thomas Steven Vander Woude, two Americans whose causes are being investigated by their dioceses.
There will also be a vote on a new edition of the Lectionary for Mass and Book of the Gospels.
The bishops will vote on whether to approve the USCCB budget. There will also be a vote to approve a review and update of the pastoral plan for the Secretariat on Pro-Life Activities. The bishops also will vote on updates to the USCCB’s Diocesan Financial Reporting Guidelines and Socially Responsible Investment Guidelines.
With terms expiring for certain leadership positions, the USCCB will also elect replacements.
The bishops will elect a new secretary, choosing between Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Indiana, and Bishop Earl K. Fernandes of Columbus, Ohio.
They will also vote on who will chair the committees on Catholic Education, Communications, Cultural Diversity in the Church, Doctrine, National Collections, and Pro-Life Activities.
Each bishop selected will serve as bishop-elect for one year and will then take over the role in the fall of 2027 and serve three-year terms.
Catholic moral theologians urge federal court to support ‘clear boundaries’ around military AI usage
A group of Catholic moral theologians is urging a federal appeals court to rule in favor of “caution” and “responsibility” regarding military artificial intelligence (AI) usage, with the scholars weighing in on a dispute between the U.S. government and one of the most prominent AI companies.
The scholars — which include University of Dayton professor Jana Bennett, Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum bioethics professor Father Michael Baggot, and Loyola University Chicago philosophy professor Joe Vukov — told the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit that it should support “defined normative boundaries” for the use of AI in warfare.
Amicus brief from Catholic moral theologians
The dispute stems from the U.S. Department of War’s usage of AI models from Anthropic, a major California-based AI developer. The company had been providing intelligence technology for the government but had forbidden its usage in both lethal autonomous warfare and mass surveillance of U.S. citizens.
The War Department ultimately ended its contract with Anthropic and subsequently labeled the company a national security risk. The D.C. appeals court upheld that decision in a September ruling.
In their filing supporting Anthropic’s request for an “en banc” hearing at the appeals court, the theologians said they were backing the company’s “principled ethical stance on AI use” by the military.
The scholars said they agreed that AI “ought not to be used for mass domestic surveillance,” citing the Catholic Church’s teachings on privacy. They pointed to the Catechism of the Catholic Church’s instruction that “no one is bound to reveal the truth to someone who does not have the right to know it.”
Privacy “is not an absolute right,” they acknowledged, but mass surveillance “clearly oversteps” the principle of privacy and would amount to a “clear violation” of human dignity.
Autonomous weapons, meanwhile, “obscure human agency” and shift responsibility “away from human decision-makers to machines.”
“They accelerate the already rapid military decision-making processes, perhaps to the point of eliminating even the possibility of human involvement,” the scholars said, arguing that “practical judgment and careful decision-making” should “inform all human decisions,” particularly involving life and death.
The theologians quoted Pope Benedict XVI in his encyclical Spe Salvi, in which the late pope acknowledged that developing technology offers “new possibilities for good” as well as “appalling possibilities for evil.”
In the boundaries it set, Anthropic “was acting as a responsible and moral corporate citizen, not as a threat to the safety of the American supply chain,” the scholars argued.
Catholic leadership has been regularly warning of the risks of AI in recent months. The U.S. bishops launched a task force in September to help promote human dignity among the rapid rise of AI technology.
Pope Leo XIV, meanwhile, has been a global voice urging caution on AI, including with his landmark May encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, in which the Holy Father warned that the “pervasive technocratic paradigm” of which AI is a part “threatens to normalize an antihuman vision.”
Earlier this month, meanwhile, the pope cautioned against the spread of AI-produced art, with the pontiff citing the “urgent” need to “distinguish human art from what is produced by machines.”
Spain’s soccer coach presents World Cup to Virgin of the Pillar
Luis de la Fuente, the Spanish national soccer team coach, brought the World Cup trophy to the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar in Zaragoza and presented it to the Virgin Mary during an Oct. 19 ceremony.
The coach was accompanied by Rafael Louzán, president of the Royal Spanish Football (Soccer) Federation (RFEF, by its Spanish acronym) and other representatives from the Spanish soccer scene.
“It is a tremendously moving experience. You all know of my devotion to the Virgin of the Pillar, and I feel very happy and proud to be here with all of you,” said De la Fuente following the offering of the trophy, as reported by la Iglesia en Aragón (The Church in Aragon) website.
The national team coach, who personally carried the trophy for much of the visit, also spoke about what it meant to him to return to the shrine. “Above all, it was an emotional experience, an indelible memory that I will carry with me forever,” he remarked.
Hundreds of people followed the ceremony both inside and outside the basilica. Among those in attendance were Archbishop Carlos Escribano of Zaragoza, and Father Juan Sebastián Teruel, dean of the metropolitan chapter of the cathedral.
‘With gratitude, humility, and emotion’
The offering of the cup to the Virgin was led by Louzán, who addressed her on behalf of the federation.
“Today we come to your feet, on behalf of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, to offer you this World Cup with gratitude, with humility, and with emotion,” he stated, as reported by the official RFEF website.
In his remarks, the president of the RFEF recalled the bond connecting the Virgin of the Pillar to the history and faith of Hispanic peoples, “who also find a shared passion in football.”
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Louzán also prayed that the Virgin might accompany those who are part of the Spanish football community, helping them to experience their wins with humility and to show solidarity toward others.
“Help us to make football a school of camaraderie, effort, and solidarity — a place where we learn to reach out a helping hand and to place the good of the team above our own self-interest,” he added.
Before concluding, he once again entrusted the trophy to the Virgin: “Our Mother, receive this cup and the affection with which we offer it to you. May we, under your guidance, find the strength to continue working together and to bear the name of Spain with pride and responsibility. Long live the Virgin of the Pillar.”
Archbishop’s remarks
Escribano also spoke, highlighting what in his view enabled the national team to achieve its goals.
“Teamwork, conviction, faith, and leadership have shown us everything we can accomplish,” he stated.
The prelate noted that Spain already holds two world titles and expressed his hope for further victories: “There are already two stars, and hopefully there will be many more in the future much like the ones you see in the Virgin’s chapel.”
The president of Aragon’s petition
Jorge Azcón, president of the Aragon autonomous regional government, asked Louzán to deliver some special gifts to the entire team: ribbons that represent the approximately 14 inches height of the statue of the Virgin of the Pillar for every member of the Spanish national team.
“I believe, my dear president, that you must commit to me to ensure they reach each and every one of them,” he said.
The World Cup returns to Zaragoza
The visit took place three months after thousands of people in Zaragoza celebrated Spain’s World Cup victory.
Before heading to the basilica, the delegation took part in an official event at city hall. The mayor of Zaragoza, Natalia Chueca, recalled the joy the city experienced during the tournament.
The delegation’s itinerary also included a visit to the construction site of the new La Romareda stadium. Zaragoza is preparing for the 2030 World Cup, for which the sports venue is expected to have a capacity of over 40,000 spectators.
This story was first published by EWTN News Español, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
Chaldean Catholics from around the world gather with patriarch at the Vatican
Hundreds of Chaldean Catholics from Iraq and diaspora communities around the world gathered at the Vatican last week, joining Patriarch Paul III Nona for Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on Oct. 15.
Celebrated according to the Chaldean rite, the Mass filled St. Peter’s Basilica with prayers and chants in Aramaic, bringing the traditions of the ancient Chaldean Church to the heart of Catholicism. The occasion expressed the unity of the Catholic Church across its different rites and traditions.
The celebration followed a Mass in St. Peter’s Square on Oct. 14, during which Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, acting on behalf of Pope Leo XIV, publicly affirmed the ecclesiastical communion the pope granted to Nona following his election as patriarch of Baghdad of the Chaldeans in April.
For a community scattered across continents, the gathering was also an opportunity for Chaldean Catholics to come together in prayer, celebrate a shared heritage, and reflect on the challenges facing Chaldeans both in their homeland and abroad.
“This was a beautiful, spiritual, and historic day for all of us — one that we are going to cherish for the rest of our lives,” Father Fawaz Kako, a Chaldean priest serving in the United States, told EWTN News. “It is such a blessing to come together in one place, under one holy Catholic Church.”
For Kako, the faith of earlier generations, particularly those who suffered martyrdom, continues to sustain Chaldeans wherever they live. “Our connection to our Church is about more than just language. It is deeply rooted in Christ and in all the martyrs who gave themselves to him and whom we look to,” he said.
“Those who came before us shed their blood for Jesus. Today, we see that as a source of strength, something we can cling to as we continue to follow Christ.”
Preserving that identity far from the homeland presents its own difficulties.
Father Christopher Somo, another Chaldean priest serving in the United States, described the pressure that smaller communities face within the societies where they have settled.
“When you go to another culture, there’s a temptation to let your culture become diluted in the midst of a larger and more powerful culture,” he said.
At the same time, Somo stressed that the Church faces the challenge of preserving its presence and heritage in Iraq after many years of persecution.
Father Albert Hisham, a Chaldean priest based in Iraq, described how successive waves of violence, particularly since 2003, had driven Christians to leave. He recalled church bombings, the kidnapping and killing of clergy and other Christians, and the Islamic State group’s expulsion of Christians from Mosul and villages in the Nineveh Plain.
“This has led our people, our Chaldean faithful, to almost lose confidence in the possibility of remaining in Iraq, which deeply saddens us,” Hisham said. He also estimated that more than 1 million Christians had emigrated over the past two or three decades. Yet leaving Iraq has not necessarily brought an end to their longing for home.
For those abroad, Hisham said, the desire to return remains, but the difficulties of resettling prevent many from acting on it.
“There are many Christians who find it very difficult to return to Iraq after settling in countries abroad,” he stressed.
Kako also acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding a permanent return, even among those who maintain close ties with their homeland. “We always travel back home and visit. But we are also very well established in the diaspora,” he said. “It all depends on how peaceful that region will be.”
Hisham said Patriarch Nona has emphasized that encouraging Christians to return must be accompanied by practical measures to help them rebuild their lives. These include housing, employment, and opportunities for investment.
“There must be job opportunities for Christians to return; otherwise, the invitation alone is not enough,” he said.
While the question of return remains unresolved, communities abroad continue to support those in Iraq. Father Mahir Murad, a Chaldean priest serving in Australia, described efforts that range from raising funds to advocating for their protection.
“In Australia, we’re doing a lot of lobbying with members of Parliament about how we can keep our people safe, what we can do to protect them, and how we can help them leave the country if we can,” he said.
Parish communities also collect donations and send financial assistance to people back home, he added. Murad acknowledged the difficult choices involved in supporting both those who wish to remain and those who feel they must leave. He expressed a desire to preserve the community’s presence in its homeland while respecting the needs of people who fear for their safety.
“We are the indigenous people of Iraq. We want our people to stay, but to feel protected also,” he said. “For those who want to leave because they feel persecuted, we want to help them leave the country.”
Nevertheless, Murad said he hopes peace will allow more Chaldeans to return.
This story was first published by ACI MENA, the Arabic-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
‘Exorcist Files’ priest sues Catholic commentators who questioned his credentials
A prominent priest who hosts a popular podcast about exorcisms is suing two lay Catholic commentators for defamation, alleging that they falsely told listeners of another podcast that he is not an exorcist. The two commentators are associates of a well-known exorcist, Father Chad Ripperger, who is not a defendant in the lawsuit.
Father Carlos Martins, host of “The Exorcist Files” and author of a book with the same title, filed the lawsuit, which is pending, in November 2025 against Jesse Romero (identified in court papers as Jesus O. Romero Jr.) and Kyle Clement. At the time, Romero was the principal host of the podcast “Jesus 911,” while Clement, director of formation and training for a religious society of priests that Ripperger founded, was a guest on Romero’s podcast.
The lawsuit also names as a defendant Catholic Resource Center Inc., of Los Angeles, which operates Virgin Most Powerful Radio, the broadcaster of “Jesus 911.” According to Martins’ complaint, Clement made false statements about Martins while appearing on the podcast in November 2024.
“Clement asserted that Fr. Martins ‘is not who he says he is’” and that Martins is “opining and talking about things which he does not know,” according to Martins’ complaint, which calls Clement’s statements “false and defamatory” because, it says, “Fr. Martins has functioned as an exorcist and has both the knowledge and experience to perform and speak on exorcism.”
“These statements harmed Fr. Martins’ credibility as a religious figure and exorcist and directly affected the sale and reception of ‘The Exorcist Files’ book that was newly released at the time these episodes aired,” states Martins’ complaint, filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. “In addition, these statements caused ‘The Exorcist Files’ to lose advertisers and listeners, which resulted in financial losses.”
But Romero and Clement “deny any allegation that they published false or misleading statements” about Martins during the podcasts and maintain that the priest is not an exorcist, according to a formal answer to Martins’ complaint filed in court in September 2026.
“It is Defendants[’] strongly held belief that Plaintiff is not an exorcist …,” the defendants state in court papers, questioning Martins’ credentials and describing the priest’s “traveling across the United States to perform exorcisms” as “both improper and out of the ordinary.”
Private inquiries
The statements Clement and Romero made about Martins during three late-2024 “Jesus 911” podcast episodes (Nov. 20, Nov. 27, and Dec. 4) followed inquiries Romero made privately in the summer of 2023.
Romero sent Martins an email message Aug. 29, 2023, asking for his “status as an exorcist” while identifying himself as a radio and podcast host and as a “member of the Liber Christo team under Fr Ripperger,” according to an exhibit filed in court by Martins’ lawyer.
Liber Christo is an organization founded by Ripperger and Clement for “training priests, deacons and laity in the ministry of liberation” from purported demonic possession.
Martins referred Romero to the priest’s website without answering his questions, according to court papers.
Romero also solicited an email message from Martins’ religious society, Companions of the Cross, about the priest, to which the society responded.
“In answer to your inquiry Fr. Carlos has not been appointed as an exorcist by a particular diocese. His full-time ministry is Treasures of the Church, however, due to his travels, he has been involved in exorcisms with the appropriate permission and or by request of the corresponding bishop,” the society’s email message states.
According to court papers, Romero quoted from the email message during a podcast episode released Nov. 27, 2024, but stopped at “Treasures of the Church” and left out the part about Martins receiving “appropriate permission” from diocesan bishops to perform exorcisms.
Crossing a line?
Romero’s partial quotation of the society’s email message about Martins during the podcast is a flashpoint in the case.
On Aug. 21, 2026, U.S. District Judge F. Kay Behm denied the defendants’ motion to dismiss the case, writing that “the court agrees that Plaintiff has the better argument.” The judge highlighted a particular statement that, according to her ruling, Romero made on the podcast about Martins: “I just don’t understand why he’s purporting to be an exorcist when his Order says he’s not.”
With that statement, the judge wrote, Romero “appear[s] to have crossed the line between an opinion that Fr. Martins is not an exorcist to statements of fact that the email from his own Order says he is not an exorcist.”
The email message from the Companions of the Cross “does not say that Plaintiff is not an exorcist,” the judge wrote.
The ruling allowed the lawsuit to proceed but did not determine whether the defendants had defamed Martins.
Two weeks later, on Sept. 4, 2026, the defendants in their formal answer to Martins’ complaint acknowledged that “Romero only read a portion of the e-mail in question” during the podcast but described it as a choice the defendants made “consistent with their beliefs” that Martins is not an exorcist.
Unspecified damages
Martins is seeking unspecified damages in the lawsuit for harm to his reputation, earning ability, and physical well-being allegedly caused by the podcasters’ statements about him.
On the financial side, Martins’ complaint says he had to cancel “worldwide speaking engagements” associated with the publication of his book “The Exorcist Files,” published in November 2024, and that his podcast lost advertisers and listeners.
Martins’ complaint says “multiple priests contacted” him following the “Jesus 911” podcasts in November and December 2024 and that “at least one priest advised Fr. Martins that multiple people in his parish were scandalized by the podcasts and asked if Fr. Martins was a fraud.”
“Everywhere he goes, he fears people believe him to be a fraud, who is not worthy of the priesthood and not to be trusted as an exorcist,” the complaint states.
Martins’ complaint also alleges that he “suffered severe emotional distress, including anxiety, sleeplessness, depression, dread, grief, and a sense of hopelessness,” as well as a brain injury called dendritic atrophy, allegedly caused by emotional distress. The complaint says the injury makes the brain “more susceptible to anxiety and depression.”
“Fr. Martins’ cognitive abilities have been permanently diminished because of the Defendants’ conduct,” the complaint states.
Neither Martins nor his religious community nor the lawyer representing him in the case could be reached for comment by the time this story was published.
Clement and a spokesman for Catholic Resource Center also could not be reached for comment.
A spokesman for Romero, who currently hosts “The Jesse Romero Show” podcast, declined an interview request from the National Catholic Register, the sister partner of EWTN News.
“Jesse would welcome an interview after the case is adjudicated and talk about the case from the beginning to end,” said Anita Romero, Jesse Romero’s event coordinator, by email.
The defendants’ lawyer, H. William Burdett, declined a request for comment.
Ripperger, who, at the request of Denver Archbishop James Golka, has agreed to a one-year moratorium on public speaking and interviews, could not immediately be reached for comment Monday night. The Register attempted to contact him through the Society of the Most Sorrowful Mother, known as the Doloran Fathers, a semi-contemplative society of priests he founded in the Archdiocese of Denver.
A scheduling conference in the case is set for Oct. 29.
This story was first published by the National Catholic Register, the sister partner of EWTN News, and has been adapted by EWTN News.