Cardinal says DC exorcist removed for public ministry, not UFOs

Cardinal Robert W. McElroy explained in a recent interview that he removed a prominent exorcist from his archdiocese because his ministry had become too public, and not because of the exorcist’s opinion that UFO phenomena are often demonic.

McElroy, who has served as archbishop of Washington since 2025, told Catholic News Service (CNS) in an interview published last week that his removal of Monsignor Stephen J. Rossetti on June 3 was not an attempt to comment on the nature of UFOs and so-called extraterrestrials. Rossetti is a psychologist, author and priest of the Diocese of Syracuse, New York, who had served as an exorcist in the Washington archdiocese for 19 years.

“It wasn’t touching on the question of UFOs,” McElroy said of Rossetti’s removal. “My major objection is that I think the traditional role of an exorcist is a very private one. It’s a sacred one.”

Rossetti went viral on social media last month when he claimed that “probably many, if not most, UFO sightings are in fact demons,” noting that evil spirits often deceitfully present themselves as extraterrestrials to lead humans astray. Clarifying that his remarks were “not de fide,” but his “personal belief,” he also exhorted his listeners to avoid unhealthy interest in such topics by keeping their focus on Jesus Christ.

Exorcist Stephen Rossetti: “Most UFO sightings are likely Demons” ????????

A Catholic Priest for the Archdiocese of Washington, he explains that demons hide to manipulate us more effectively. “Demons like to hide. They don’t want us to know they’re out… they can kind of get into… pic.twitter.com/qrbt7I3WzI

— Interstellar (@InterstellarUAP) May 31, 2026

McElroy, who has faced scrutiny and criticism for his views on Catholic social teachings and handling of clerical sex abuse cases, removed Rossetti for “linking UFOs to demonic presence,” according to a June 3 statement from the archdiocese.

The statement also said that Rossetti’s remarks and the social media use of his organization, the St. Michael Center for Spiritual Renewal, “gravely undermine the Church’s very precise teaching on the devil, demons and exorcism.” Rossetti’s organization, which offers help to those suffering spiritual affliction, has more than 146,000 followers on YouTube.

When Rossetti was removed, he expressed sadness at the archbishop’s decision, but submitted to his clerical authority.

“I ask 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 said. “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 move prompted backlash among many Catholics on social media, and the archdiocese ultimately deleted the announcement from X. Father Dan Reehil, an exorcist with the Diocese of Nashville, also questioned Rossetti’s removal last month.

“That, to me, is very bizarre, because who’s to say that couldn’t happen?” Reehil said of Rossetti’s assessment about UFOs. “You know, does that contradict our faith? Absolutely not. Demons have appeared in many ways, shapes and forms for millennia.”

“So, I find it an odd reason to can somebody, given that [Rossetti] is a very outstanding theologian. He’s a wonderful person, he’s an amazing priest. He’s an excellent exorcist, and he’s been serving God in his church for decades,” he added.

Speaking with CNS, McElroy said he believes the role of an exorcist shouldn’t be as public as Rossetti had become.

“I think the more traditional approach of an exorcist is a private, within-the-life-of-the-Church ministry to help individuals who are in crisis and seem to be demonically possessed,” he said. “It shouldn’t go beyond that for people who are doing exorcism.”

Rossetti’s views about the occult nature of UFOs and alleged aliens have been echoed by other Catholic clergy, including Father Chad Ripperger, who serves as an exorcist in the Archdiocese of Denver and has done several high-profile interviews on the topic in recent months.

Ripperger told podcaster Shawn Ryan earlier this year that supposed alien encounters often resemble traditional demonic possession, and that the entities often attempt to undermine the idea of salvation through Jesus Christ, despite apparently being bound by His authority. He cited accounts of unpleasant abduction scenarios that abruptly cease when the individual cries out to Jesus.

Vice President JD Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, also said of extraterrestrials earlier this year: “I don’t think they’re aliens. I think they’re demons anyway.”