Mgr Stephen Rossetti, a prominent exorcist and founder of the St Michael Center for Spiritual Renewal, was removed as an exorcist of the Archdiocese of Washington by Cardinal Robert McElroy on June 3 after the priest suggested that many UFO sightings may be demonic in origin. Bishop Douglas J Lucia of Syracuse, Rossetti’s home diocese, promptly affirmed that the monsignor remains a priest in good standing.

The removal followed a video Rossetti posted on May 29 in response to renewed public interest in unidentified aerial phenomena after recent government file releases. In the now-deleted recording, the priest said: “There’s no question in my mind personally … it’s my personal belief that probably many, if not most of these UFO sightings are in fact demons.” He added that demons “like to hide” and can perform feats beyond normal human capability, such as rapid changes in trajectory, while stressing that belief in extraterrestrial life is not incompatible with the Faith but carries spiritual dangers.

Cardinal McElroy said that Rossetti’s comments “linking UFOs to demonic presence”, together with the St Michael Center’s use of social media, “gravely undermine the Church’s very precise teaching on the devil, demons and exorcism”. The cardinal also ended all affiliation between the Archdiocese of Washington and the centre.

The Diocese of Syracuse issued a statement on June 3 making clear its position. Bishop Lucia declared: “Msgr Rossetti has served as a prolific author, educator, licensed psychologist and expert on psychological and spiritual wellness issues for Catholic priests around the world. He remains a priest in good standing in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse.” The diocese noted that Rossetti was ordained for Syracuse in 1984 and has served in specialised roles outside the diocese since 1989.

Rossetti responded with a brief public statement expressing sadness at the archdiocese’s decision and asking forgiveness “for any ways that I have not been faithful to the teachings of the Church’s Magisterium, particularly in the cited video on ‘aliens and the demonic’”. He confirmed that the St Michael Center “plans to continue its ministry elsewhere” and encouraged Catholics to “stay in the Boat” – a reference to remaining in the barque of Peter.

Mgr Rossetti is widely known in the field of exorcism and spiritual warfare. A licensed psychologist with decades of experience, he has authored multiple books on the subject and trained priests worldwide. His removal has drawn attention to differing approaches within the episcopate to the reality of demonic activity in the modern world, particularly in relation to unexplained phenomena.

Catholic teaching holds that demons are fallen angels who can deceive humanity and seek to turn man away from God. While the Church has historically been cautious about attributing every unexplained event to the demonic, many exorcists and theologians have warned of spiritual deception involving extraordinary signs. The episode comes amid heightened public interest in UFOs following official disclosures.

The contrast between Cardinal McElroy’s swift action and Bishop Lucia’s affirmation of Rossetti’s good standing suggests a divergence in emphasis. The St Michael Center, which Rossetti founded, says it provides healing and deliverance prayer, education and resources for those seeking spiritual help.