Melody Lyons

It's not particularly well done. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for the conversation. That's why I wrote in the first place. Christian's rebuttal will persuade some simply because it sounds very academic, but it's a good bit of weak gymnastics to support his point, and he never really ends up refuting mine. The biggest obstacle to proving his conclusion? Fr. Ripperger himself. But again... I'm grateful for the dialogue, though he should have linked my article (but perhaps it was an oversight). I would love to respond and hopefully will have the time soon. My article was not intended to be an end in itself but a jumping-off point for conversations that need to be had. That is happening and it's a good thing. Incidentally, those defending Father R who are using lies, personal attacks, and vile behavior to do it, are not doing him any favors. They simply confirm for his opponents that his work has bad fruit. So if you see them, perhaps kindly correct them. Finally, I have appreciated Father very much in the past. I even purchased books of his. There's probably still a photo up of one on my IG. But his teachings have changed. His method has changed. And it is good for Father and for the Church to talk about it. Great men do fall by inches. And sometimes it's exorcists.

When St Mother Teresa was asked what the greatest evil she had ever seen was, she said communion in the hand.

FAQ to save some of you time: • Yes, I submitted the Fr. Ripperger article to my husband first. If he would have told me to scrap it I would have done it in a hot second. I’d follow him to the ends of the earth and back. • No, I have no credentials good enough to satisfy you. I’m a nobody in the world. My family usually likes me though. • No, I didn’t contact the Archdiocese of Denver. Have you ever tried to contact a diocese about anything? Good luck. • Am I a narcissistic fem-tard possessed by the devil to take out holy priests? Goodness, I hope not. (“Fem-tard” is a word Tim Gordon made up. Isn’t he clever?) • No, I do not think that Matthew 18 applies in this case, and no, I don’t want to invite Father R to dinner. Not even a little. • Yes, I stand by the word “disobedience” because it is at the root of every distortion in any vocation. It doesn’t usually start with a big NO but by little justifications. Inches. I think this topic merits a separate article. • Yes, I stand by the word “divination.” Most are completely ignoring this point because it’s creepy but it should be elevated. • Yes, I think Fr. R’s collaboration with vulgar dissident Tim Gordon is a direct fruit of disobedience, hugely disturbing and scandalous, and an immediate danger to families. • Yes, I’m aware that they’re talking about me on podcasts and whatnot. Have at it. One of my prayers before publishing was to surrender my reputation… Which I meant at the time but which is much much harder when it hits. I knew what they would say and they are indeed saying it. • Yes, it hurts. • Yes, I’m fine. I can do this because I am safe and loved. Not everyone has that and it motivates me to write on their behalf. • Yes, it’s worth it. I have already heard stories of liberation from gripping fear and discouragement. • Priests, pastors, laity—please know that some people need to be freed from this unholy fixation, and when they are, they will need TLC in the name of Jesus the Healer. Fr. R is leaving people in a bad state and offers no follow up direction for the vulnerable. It’s all you. • Yes, there are a lot of words in my article. People are complaining about that. Reading is hard. I tried to write to the 5th grade level like they tell you in “how to write articles in an age of reels and no attention span” class but I don’t think I did it. I can’t think of anything else. What am I missing?