“UFOs are demons”: Washington priest dismissed as exorcist for statement contrary to Church teachings

“The statements of Mgr Rossetti establishing a link between UFOs and the demonic presence seriously undermined the very precise teaching of the Church on thedevil les démons  andexorcism .» In a press release dated June 3, 2026, the Archdiocese of Washington announced that Cardinal Robert McElroy had removed Stephen Rossetti, priest of the Diocese of Syracuse in the state of New York, from his duties as exorcist of the Archdiocese of Washington.

On May 29, Stephen Rossetti, who is not however reduced to the secular state, published a video on Facebook in which he spoke on the subject of extraterrestrials. Although he recognized that belief in extraterrestrial life was compatible with Catholic doctrine, he hypothesized that “Many, if not most, of these “UFO sightings†are actually demons.. “They are able to do things that we can’t doâ€he added, referring in particular to their ability to move at speeds beyond human capabilities.

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The statement from the Diocese of Washington also announced the end of any affiliation between the archdiocese and Stephen Rossetti’s foundation, the St. Michael Center for Spiritual Renewal, located in Washington, D.C. It describes itself as a non-profit Catholic organization that “accompanies in prayer those in spiritual suffering who need healing and deliverance.” Its activities pass through the organization “spiritual formation workshops for religious and lay people.” This foundation of Stephen Rossetti allowed the organization of exorcism sessions online, notably via its YouTube channel.

“It is of the utmost importance to be obedient to the Church”

Stephen Rossetti presented his apologies to the magisterium of the Catholic Church in a press release published on the Saint-Michel Center website. “I am saddened by the decision of the Archdiocese of Washington to end its affiliation with the St. Michael Center for Spiritual Renewal. I ask forgiveness for any failure on my part to follow the teachings of the Magisterium of the Church, particularly in the video mentioned on ”extraterrestrials and the demonic”,” can we read in his press release. “I believe it is of the utmost importance to be obedient to the Church and I will continue to strive to subject everything I do and the Center to this obedience. Likewise, I will continue to encourage everyone to do the same.

The nature of possible extraterrestrial life has been the subject of debate this year in the American media. TheNew York Times  reports that Donald Trump asked his administration in February to begin making public government files relating to extraterrestrials and UFOs. The disclosure began last month, with the publication by the Pentagon of images, the scope of which, however, remains uncertain to this day.