The Washington D.C. Archdiocese removed Monsignor Stephen Rossetti from his position as an exorcist after he linked UFO sightings to demonic activity [1, 3, 4].
The decision highlights the tension between traditional theological interpretations of the supernatural and the modern public discourse regarding unidentified aerial phenomena. As the church navigates contemporary sightings, the administration of the archdiocese has signaled a boundary regarding how clergy characterize these events publicly.
Rossetti said that "many, if not most," UFO sightings could be explained as demonic activity [1]. Following these remarks, the archbishop took action to remove the priest from his specialized post [1, 3, 4].
While some reports describe the action as Rossetti being fired [2], other records specify he was removed from his specific role as an exorcist [1, 3, 4]. The priest had been a prominent figure in the church's efforts to combat spiritual disturbances, a role that requires a specific mandate from the bishop.
The archdiocese has not provided further details on whether Rossetti remains a priest within the diocese or if his duties have been shifted to a different parish. The removal occurs amid a broader global increase in government and military interest in UFOs, though the church's internal discipline focuses on the nature of the priest's public assertions.
“"many, if not most," UFO sightings could be explained as demonic activity.”
This incident reflects a cautious approach by the Catholic Church hierarchy in managing the intersection of faith and the current UFO phenomenon. By distancing the office of the exorcist from claims that alien sightings are demonic, the archdiocese avoids aligning official spiritual warfare practices with speculative paranormal theories that may be viewed as fringe or contradictory to current ecclesiastical diplomacy.
