A famous Catholic exorcist has been kicked out of his demon-fighting role after publicly suggesting that UFO sightings may actually be demons in disguise.
Monsignor Stephen Rossetti, one of America’s best-known exorcists, was removed from his position with the Archdiocese of Washington after making the eyebrow-raising claim in a now-deleted social media video.
Cardinal Robert McElroy announced the decision after Rossetti said he believed many UFO sightings could be linked to demonic activity.
“There’s a danger here. Demons like to hide,” Rossetti said in the May 29 video. “It’s my personal belief that probably many if not most of these UFO sightings are in fact demons.”
The explosive remarks quickly sparked controversy inside the Catholic world.
McElroy said Rossetti had been stripped of his role as an exorcist for the archdiocese. He also cut ties with Rossetti’s St. Michael Center for Spiritual Renewal, a group focused on spiritual healing, deliverance, and exorcism-related ministry.
According to the archdiocese, the problem was not just one video. Church officials said Rossetti’s comments “linking UFOs to demonic presence,” along with social media activity from the St. Michael Center, undermined Catholic teaching on demons and exorcism.
Rossetti later apologized and said he was “saddened” by the archdiocese’s decision.
He also asked forgiveness for any ways he may not have been faithful to Catholic Church teaching.
The controversy is especially stunning because Rossetti was not some obscure priest making strange comments from the sidelines. He has more than 148,000 followers on Instagram and has become one of the most recognizable exorcists in the United States.
He previously told the Associated Press that public interest in demonic possession and exorcism has been growing.
Now, the priest known for fighting evil spirits has found himself at the center of a church storm over aliens, demons, and what Catholics are supposed to believe about both.
The archdiocese’s move sends a clear message: when it comes to exorcism, church leaders do not want speculation about flying saucers mixed with official Catholic ministry.
