Washington Exorcist Removed After Claiming UFOs Are Demons

On March 31, 2026, Cardinals Robert McElroy, Archbishop of Washington, announced the removal of Monsignor Stephen Rossetti from his duties as an exorcist for the Diocese of Washington. Rossetti, a priest of the Diocese of Syracuse and a psychologist who writes on exorcism, had served the archdiocese for nearly 19 years.

Rossetti’s dismissal followed a May 29 social‑media video in which he linked sightings of UFOs and “aliens” to the presence of demons. He stated: “It’s my personal belief that probably many, if not most, of these UFO sightings are, in fact, demons.” The comment was broadcast to a combined audience of more than 50,000 followers on Facebook and 150,000 on Instagram.

Archbishop McElroy said Rossetti’s remarks “undermine the Church’s very precise teaching on the devil.” He also announced the termination of formal ties between the archdiocese and the St. Michael Center for Spiritual Renewal, a nonprofit founded by the exorcist. The archbishop noted that the Center’s “recent use of social media gravely undermines the Church’s very precise teaching on the devil, demons and exorcism.”

In a statement on the Center’s website, Rossetti expressed his sadness and asked for forgiveness, stressing his obedience to Church teachings. He thanked the archdiocese for its support over the 19‑year period.

The Vatican’s official stance emphasizes that exorcism is a ministry grounded in scripture and canon law, and that clergy must avoid blending ecclesial doctrine with speculative claims about extraterrestrials. Rossetti’s comments were perceived as a conflation of theological teaching with contemporary UFO narratives.

The removal underscores the Church’s commitment to doctrinal fidelity, while bringing attention to the broader conversation about how religious leaders handle modern myths. It serves as a reminder that the Catholic Church must balance outreach with doctrinal integrity, especially on topics that intersect with popular culture.