Overview
- The Archdiocese of Washington removed Monsignor Stephen Rossetti as an archdiocesan exorcist and ended official ties with his St. Michael Center on June 3 after a viral video linked UFO sightings to demonic activity.
- Rossetti made the remarks in a May 29 online appearance where he called it his personal belief that “probably many if not most” UFO sightings are demons; the original video was later made private or removed while clips continued to circulate on social media.
- The archdiocese cited both the content of Rossetti’s statements and the St. Michael Center’s recent use of social media as reasons for the action, saying those factors undermine the Church’s careful norms for teaching about demons and performing exorcisms.
- Rossetti, a licensed clinical psychologist, author and longtime Washington-area exorcist of roughly 19 years, responded that he was saddened, asked forgiveness for any lapse in fidelity to Church teaching, and said the St. Michael Center will continue its ministry elsewhere.
- The episode has prompted a divide among Catholics and commentators over boundaries between private opinion and official ministry, highlighted how social media amplifies clerical statements, and raised questions about diocesan discipline and the discreet norms the U.S. Church uses for exorcism.