Cardinal McElroy Removes Washington Archdiocese Exorcist Over UFO Comments

Cardinal Robert McElroy, the archbishop of Washington, removed Msgr. Stephen Rossetti from his post as exorcist of the Archdiocese of Washington on June 3. The action followed comments by Rossetti linking UFO sightings to demonic activity.

McElroy also ordered the archdiocese to sever its ties with the St. Michael Center for Spiritual Renewal, which Rossetti directed in Washington, D.C. The center offered workshops in spiritual formation and training for clergy, religious and lay faithful.

The dispute began May 29, when Rossetti posted a video on YouTube saying that "many, if not most, of the sightings [of UFOs] are, in fact, demons." In the video, Rossetti said such entities have abilities greater than those of humans. McElroy said the statements "gravely undermine the very precise teaching of the Church on the devil, demons and exorcism."

After learning of his removal, Rossetti said he was sorry and asked forgiveness for any failure to adhere to magisterial teaching. He said he remained willing to obey the Church and expressed gratitude for 19 years of ministry in the Archdiocese of Washington. He said the St. Michael Center will continue its work at other locations.

The video that prompted the dispute was marked private on YouTube the same day as the removal.