Daijiworld Media Network – Washington
Washington, Jun 4: The Catholic Archbishop of Washington, Cardinal Robert McElroy, has removed a prominent priest from his role as an exorcist after the priest publicly suggested that many UFO sightings could be the work of demons.
The decision also ends the Archdiocese of Washington's association with the St. Michael Center for Spiritual Renewal, a nonprofit organisation headed by Monsignor Stephen Rossetti.
In a statement, Cardinal McElroy said Rossetti's remarks connecting UFOs with demonic activity, along with the centre's recent use of social media, conflicted with the Church's teachings on demons and exorcism.
Rossetti made the comments in a video posted on his Facebook page, where he discussed UFO sightings and the possibility of extraterrestrial life.
"As an exorcist I wanted to raise that danger," Rossetti said, referring to what he described as demonic deception. He argued that demons prefer to remain hidden and can influence people toward evil without being detected.
"It’s my personal belief that probably many, if not most, of these UFO sightings are in fact demons," he said.
The priest also clarified that Catholics are free to believe in the existence of life on other planets, although he personally does not believe extraterrestrial life exists.
Following the archdiocese's action, Rossetti issued a statement expressing sadness over the decision and apologised for any comments that may have been inconsistent with official Church teaching.
"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, adding that he remains committed to obedience to the Church.
Rossetti is a well-known psychologist and exorcist with a large following on social media. Through the St. Michael Center for Spiritual Renewal, he has worked extensively in spiritual healing ministries, particularly for priests facing personal and spiritual challenges.
In a 2023 interview, Rossetti noted a growing public interest in topics related to demonic possession and exorcism, reflecting what he described as a renewed fascination with spiritual warfare and the supernatural.