In a significant move, Cardinal Robert McElroy, the Catholic Archbishop of Washington, D.C., has relieved a prominent priest of his duties as an exorcist. This decision follows the priest’s controversial public remarks linking UFO sightings to demonic activities.
The archdiocese also announced its decision to sever its association with the St. Michael Center for Spiritual Renewal, a nonprofit organization based in Washington and led by Monsignor Stephen Rossetti, the priest in question.
Cardinal McElroy expressed concern that Rossetti’s comments, which suggested a connection between UFOs and demonic forces, along with the Center’s recent social media activities, undermine the Church’s established teachings on demons, the devil, and exorcism.
In a video posted on Facebook on May 29, Monsignor Rossetti addressed the topic of UFO sightings and the potential existence of extraterrestrial life. He warned of a potential threat, stating, “As an exorcist, I wanted to highlight that danger. Demons prefer to remain hidden… They are more effective when their presence goes unnoticed.”
Rossetti further elaborated, saying, “They can infiltrate our minds and manipulate worldly events to lead us toward evil.” He shared his personal belief, stating, “It is my opinion that many, if not the majority, of these UFO sightings are actually demonic in nature.”
“It’s my personal belief that probably many if not most of these UFO sightings are in fact demons,” Rossetti added.
Rossetti also said that people can be good Catholics and believe there’s life on other planets, though he does not personally believe life exists elsewhere.
In a statement posted on the St. Michael Center website, Rossetti said he was saddened by the action of the archdiocese.
“I ask forgiveness for any ways that I have not been faithful to the teachings of the Church’s Magisterium, particularly in the cited video on ‘aliens and the demonic,’” he said. “I believe it is of the utmost importance to be obedient to the Church and I will continue to endeavor to subject all that I do and the Center to be thus obedient.”
Rossetti, who has over 148,000 followers on Instagram, is a prominent psychologist as well as an exorcist.
His center has specialized in offering spiritual healing for priests troubled by various difficulties.
