Washington Archdiocese – Cardinal Robert McElroy removed Msgr. Stephen Rossetti as an exorcist and the Archdiocese cut ties with Rossetti’s nonprofit after Rossetti linked UFO sightings to demons and discussed “green orbs” and “fireballs” in online videos.
A priest with 19 years in Washington as an exorcist walked into a debate he couldn’t fully compartmentalize. By the time Cardinal Robert McElroy issued his statement, the Archdiocese of Washington had already decided to end the arrangement.
McElroy said Monsignor Stephen Rossetti, of the Diocese of Syracuse, New York, had been removed as an exorcist. The decision followed comments Rossetti made about UFOs and demons, and it also prompted the Archdiocese to cut ties with Rossetti’s nonprofit organization.
In McElroy’s statement, he said Rossetti’s statements—“linking UFOs to demonic presence and the Center’s recent use of social media gravely undermine the Church’s very precise teaching on the devil, demons and exorcism.”
Rossetti is the president and founder of the St. Michael Center for Spiritual Renewal in Washington, D.C. His website says he has been an exorcist in Washington for 19 years. It also says he is a psychologist who worked in the psychological treatment of priests. and that he has led hundreds of “exorcism and deliverance sessions.” The site lists his book as “Diary of an American Exorcist.”.
The Archdiocese’s concern centers on recent statements Rossetti made in a video posted to social media. In the video, he said, “The Church has said there’s nothing incompatible with the faith about believing that there’s life on other planets.” But he added, “I personally don’t think there is.”
Rossetti then shifted to the spiritual interpretation that McElroy rejected. “But there’s a danger here, and I want to raise that as an exorcist,” Rossetti said. He described demons as deceptive and said, “Demons like to hide. They don’t want us to know they’re around. … It’s my personal belief that probably many if not most of these UFO sightings are in fact demons.”.
His remarks also come amid broader political and media attention on UFOs. Vice President JD Vance, a converted Catholic, has made similar comments. In March, Vance told “The Benny Show”: “I don’t think they’re aliens, I think they’re demons anyway, but that’s a longer discussion,” referring to UFOs.
Rossetti responded in a statement posted on the St. Michael Center website. He said he was “saddened” by the decision and that the center plans to “continue its ministry elsewhere.”
In the same statement. Rossetti said he asked forgiveness for any ways he was not faithful to the Church’s Magisterium. “particularly in the cited video on ‘aliens and the demonic.’” He added: “I believe it is of the utmost importance to be obedient to the Church and I will continue to endeavor to subject all that I do and the Center to be thus obedient.”.
The dispute lands as the U.S. government’s UFO attention has intensified. The Defense Department released a new batch of previously classified files on alleged UFO sightings, including references to green orbs and fireballs.
Exorcisms themselves are official practices of the Catholic Church. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops describes them as “a specific form of prayer that the Church uses against the power of the devil.” The USCCB says exorcisms come in two forms: a simple exorcism that may be used for those preparing to be baptized. and major exorcisms. which can only be performed by a bishop or priest and must receive approval. The USCCB says major exorcisms aim at “the expulsion of demons or to the liberation [of a person] from demonic possession. ” according to the USCCB.
For Rossetti and the St. Michael Center, the path ahead is now split: the Archdiocese has severed ties and ended his role as an exorcist. Rossetti, meanwhile, says he will continue the center’s ministry elsewhere—while insisting he will seek obedience to the Church’s teaching as he understands it.
Washington Archdiocese Robert McElroy Stephen Rossetti exorcist removal St. Michael Center for Spiritual Renewal UFOs demons JD Vance Catholic exorcism Defense Department UFO files
So they’re saying green orbs are demons now? Cool cool. Kinda wish they’d worry about actual crime.
I mean UFOs don’t have to be demons… but also the Church never really explains anything, so now they’re just cutting him off. Sounds like politics more than theology.
Wait, the archdiocese cut ties because he talked about “life on other planets”?? That’s literally in the article like the Church says it’s not incompatible. So why would they be mad if they agree at least a little? Feels inconsistent.
I saw a clip where he’s like “fireballs” and “orbs” and I was like bruh that’s just weather. But then they’re saying it undermines teaching on the devil?? This is why people stop taking religion serious. Also he’s from Syracuse right? classic move blaming the weird stuff on demons.