Fr. Chad Ripperger, PhD is a Theologian, Thomistic Psychologist, Philosopher, and Author. Fr. Ripperger has served as professor of Dogmatic and Moral Theology and Philosophy at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary in Denton, Nebraska. Father Ripperger was ordained in 1997. He currently works in the Diocese of Tulsa. His published works include “Introduction to the Science of Mental Health”, “The Binding Force of Holy Tradition”, “The Metaphysics of Evolution”, “The Morality of the Exterior Act: In the Writings of Saint Thomas Aquinas”, and “Topics on Tradition.”
As a trained psychologist as well as a Thomist, Fr. Ripperger brings a genius to the entire study of the psychological unmatched in the United States.
Many of his talks are online and found at http://www.sensustraditionis.org/
Now, what I find odd are those lay people, either with or without training, (mostly without) who do not take this amazing priest seriously. I think it is because Fr. Ripperger has had (oh dear) the audacity to criticize both the right and the left "wings" of the Church: that is, he has pointed out difficulties among the trads as well as the liberals.
I have found more defensiveness coming from trads quoting Fr Ripperger than I have concerning any other source.
This type of defensiveness is a sign of the very things which Father notes in his excellent talks, all of which I recommend.
Defensiveness usually occurs when people are being criticized for something true. If a critique is false, one can ignore it or let it go.
The truth causes discomfort.
Several points cause people to dismiss a priest who is an expert in several fields.
Outside of pride, some dismiss him because he is experienced. Hmmm, Catholic trads do not like FSSP priests who are experienced, as well as trained?
I suggest that those who have trouble with some of Fr. Ripperger's statements concerning the occult, Catholic spirituality, sin, the gnostic tendencies of traditionals and other fascinating topics, pray and listen to his talks.
One will be changed and for the better.
(By the way, another great but secular psychiatrist on line, who is no longer writing, is Dr. Sanity, who I have also recommended on this blog many times. Here comments may be found here. http://drsanity.blogspot.com/ She was the forerunner and first critic of the present administration, as well as a great critic of the culture. God bless her wherever she is working.
Sadly, most of the psychology taught today, as Fr. Ripperger notes, is taught without consideration of the soul. The brain and the body have been separated from the eternal in humans. How can psychology work without consideration of the soul?
Fr. Ripperger has encouraged his listeners to find a Thomistic psychologist for counseling only.
I agree wholeheartedly, but good luck finding one.
