Priest who attempted exorcism of Epstein ranch didn’t have permission

The recently appointed Comptroller for the state of Texas, Don Huffines, has been in the news recently for flying in a Catholic exorcist from Ohio to spiritually cleanse Zorro Ranch, formerly owned by Jeffrey Epstein. Zeale News has learned that the exorcist priest did not have faculties from the local archbishop, as required by canon law, potentially rendering the exorcism ineffective.  

Archdiocese of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Director of Communications Leslie Radigan told Zeale News on Aug. 20 that “Archbishop Wester did not grant permission to a priest from Ohio to perform an exorcism, and the Archdiocese of Santa Fe does not have an exorcist.” 

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, an exorcism is “directed at the expulsion of demons or to the liberation from demonic possession through the spiritual authority which Jesus entrusted to his Church.” 

The Church distinguishes between two forms of exorcism — minor and major. A minor exorcism is performed during the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation for the purpose of preparing the person receiving the sacrament to receive the fullness of grace God wants to give them. In canon law, a major or solemn exorcism can only be performed (Can. 1172 §1.) by a bishop or a priest delegated with the authority by the bishop of the local diocese.

In the case of Jeffrey Epstein's Zorro Ranch, which was purchased by Huffines in 2023, the unidentified priest would have used prayers from Appendix I of the “Exorcisms and Related Supplications” book, since prayers for liberating places and things are located in that section. An FAQ on exorcisms from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops notes, “As in the case of a ‘major exorcism,’ the ordinary minister of these prayers [over places or things] would be a priest appointed for this purpose or the bishop himself.”

Zeale News contacted Huffines through his campaign office for Comptroller of Texas and asked if he could comment on the priest not having delegation from Archbishop Wester for performing an exorcism in his territory. No response was received from Huffines or his media office by press time. 

Devin Huffines, one of five children of Don and Mary Catherine Huffines, described why his family brought in the exorcist priest in a July 27 segment on Newsmax. “We flew in an exorcist from Ohio, a Latin Mass priest,” he said, adding that it took the priest three days to clear the entire property. Devin explained that the Huffines are "devout Roman Catholics" who take the spiritual effects of evil and the influence of demons seriously.

The Huffines family bought the roughly 7,600-acre ranch from Epstein's estate through an anonymous LLC, renaming it San Rafael Ranch. Their ownership wasn't publicly known until The Santa Fe New Mexican identified them in February using public records, prompting the family to announce plans to convert the property into a retreat center.

Devin Huffines told Newsmax that some relatives initially opposed buying a property tied to Epstein, the convicted sex offender who died by suicide in federal custody in 2019 while facing sex-trafficking charges. Several women have said Epstein sexually abused them at the ranch. The family ultimately decided the sale, whose proceeds benefited Epstein's victims, was too significant an opportunity to pass up, he said.

New Mexico's Department of Justice reopened a criminal investigation into the property in February and searched it over two days in March with the family's consent. Devin Huffines said around 60 detectives used ground-penetrating radar, thermal drones and cadaver dogs, but told Newsmax that investigators found nothing. The department did not respond to questions from the New Mexican about that characterization.

Even as they moved to address the property’s spiritual history, the family drew scrutiny on more earthly matters: Santa Fe County ordered construction paused earlier this year after officials said fences and walls exceeded permitted heights.

Don Huffines wrote on social media in February that the ranch’s new entrance would read, “All are welcome who come in the name of the Lord,” and that “what the enemy once meant for evil, God can redeem for good.”