The Archdiocese of Washington removed Monsignor Stephen Rossetti from his position as an exorcist after he linked UFO sightings to demonic activity.
The removal highlights the tension between personal theological beliefs and official Church doctrine regarding paranormal phenomena. While the Catholic Church recognizes the practice of exorcism, it maintains strict guidelines on how clergy interpret spiritual influences in the public sphere.
The decision followed public statements made by Rossetti. He said, "It’s my personal belief that probably many if not most of these UFO sightings are in fact demons" [1]. These comments were reported on June 4, 2026 [2].
Cardinal Robert McElroy, the Archbishop of Washington, took the action to ensure consistency within the diocese. McElroy said the priest’s comments were not in line with Church teaching [3]. The Archbishop's decision emphasizes that clergy must adhere to established ecclesiastical standards when addressing the nature of extraterrestrial or supernatural events.
Church officials have sought to distance the institution from speculative claims about aliens. An unnamed Church spokesperson said, "We have no evidence that extraterrestrials are at work; we must discern spiritual influences" [4]. This stance reflects a broader effort by the hierarchy to avoid endorsing unverified theories that could alienate the faithful, or mislead the public.
Rossetti's removal comes as public and government interest in unidentified aerial phenomena continues to grow. By removing the priest from his specialized role, the Archdiocese is signaling that the intersection of ufology and demonology remains a matter of private opinion rather than official dogma.
“"It’s my personal belief that probably many if not most of these UFO sightings are in fact demons."”
This incident underscores the Catholic Church's effort to maintain a disciplined theological front amid rising global curiosity about UFOs. By penalizing a high-profile exorcist for his views, the Church is asserting that spiritual discernment must be grounded in institutional teaching rather than personal speculation, preventing the faith from being tethered to the volatile and unproven nature of ufology.
