Exorcist Removed: UFO Claims
Washington Archbishop Removes Priest, Citing UFO-Demon Comments Undermining Church Teaching
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Cardinal Robert McElroy, the Catholic Archbishop of Washington, D.C., removed Monsignor Stephen Rossetti as an archdiocesan exorcist on June 3, 2026, after Rossetti posted a video claiming UFO sightings were "probably many if not most... in fact demons." Associated Press reported the video, titled "aliens and the demonic," was posted to the St. Michael Center's social media on May 29. McElroy also cut all ties with Rossetti's nonprofit, the St. Michael Center for Spiritual Renewal, ending a 19-year partnership.
McElroy said Rossetti's comments "gravely undermine the Church's very precise teaching on the devil, demons and exorcism," according to Greeley Tribune. Rossetti quickly issued a public apology, saying he asks "forgiveness for any ways that I have not been faithful to the teachings of the Church's Magisterium."
A Video About Aliens Ends a 15-Year Role
Rossetti has served as an exorcist for the Archdiocese of Washington for over 15 years. He is a licensed psychologist, holds a PhD and DMin, and wrote the book "Diary of an American Exorcist." His St. Michael Center trains clergy and laypeople in what the Church calls "deliverance ministry," according to Catholic Standard.
On May 29, he posted the video to YouTube and Facebook. It argued that UFO phenomena — widely discussed after recent Pentagon UAP disclosures — were the work of demons trying to "get into your head." Media picked up the story within days. By June 3, McElroy had acted, according to National Catholic Register.
Church Law Gave McElroy Full Authority to Act
Under Canon 1172 of Catholic Church law, only a priest with "express and special permission" from his local bishop can perform formal exorcisms. That permission can be pulled at any time. McElroy used that authority quickly and without appeal.
The Vatican's own stance on extraterrestrial life is notably open. Former Vatican Observatory director Father Jose Funes wrote in 2008 that an alien could be an "extraterrestrial brother" and part of God's creation, according to IBTimes UK. Rossetti's claim that all such phenomena are demonic clashed directly with that framework and drew the archdiocese's rebuke.
Social Media Reach Made the Fallout Harder to Contain
Rossetti's ministry had grown a large online audience. His Instagram account had more than 148,000 followers, according to Pilot Online. The archdiocese cited not just the UFO video but the center's broader "recent use of social media" as a concern. Past videos included topics like "Lifting Financial Curses" and "Casting Out Demons of Technology."
National Catholic Register noted that the decision signals a clear warning to clergy: personal theories shared online can cost a priest his official church roles fast. The archdiocese's website has already been updated to direct people seeking help to local parish priests first.
Rossetti Pledges Obedience; His Center Plans to Carry On
Rossetti posted a statement on the St. Michael Center website saying he is "saddened" by the removal. He framed himself as a loyal Church member who made a personal mistake. "I will continue to endeavor to subject all that I do" to obedience, he wrote, according to Press Enterprise.
The St. Michael Center announced it "plans to continue its ministry elsewhere." Without the archdiocese's backing, it cannot perform formal "Major Exorcisms" and will need a new bishop's sponsorship or must operate as an independent lay group. The archdiocese — which serves over 655,000 Catholics — must now build a new exorcism team from scratch, according to Trentonian.
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