Cardinal Robert McElroy has removed Monsignor Stephen Rossetti from his role as exorcist for the Archdiocese of Washington following the priest’s public statements linking unidentified flying objects (UFOs) to demonic activity. The announcement was made in a Wednesday news release, which also announced the archdiocese’s severing of ties with the Saint Michael Center for Spiritual Renewal, a nonprofit ministry Rossetti founded that focuses on deliverance and exorcism.

Rossetti, a priest and licensed psychologist, posted a video last month on the center’s social media channels, suggesting that many UFO sightings could be manifestations of demons rather than extraterrestrial beings. In the roughly five-minute video, he acknowledged the Catholic Church has no official teaching on the existence of aliens but described his personal belief that “probably many, if not most, of these UFO sightings are in fact demons.”

Cardinal McElroy condemned the statements, saying they undermined the Church’s “very precise teaching on the devil, demons and exorcism.” The archdiocese serves more than 667,000 Catholics in Washington, D.C., and nearby Maryland suburbs. It described the center’s recent use of social media as a factor in its decision to end the affiliation.

Monsignor Rossetti issued a public apology on the Saint Michael Center’s website and stated that it would continue its ministry independently. He expressed regret for any deviation from official Church teachings and committed to respecting the cardinal’s decision. Rossetti, 74, has served as the archdiocese’s exorcist for 19 years and is known nationally for his work, including a 2021 book titled “Diary of an American Exorcist.” He also served as chaplain for the Washington Nationals baseball team and taught pastoral counseling at the Catholic University of America.

The video gained traction on social media, particularly among conservative Christian audiences, following the release last month of government documents related to UFO encounters during the Trump administration. Some within the Church welcomed the removal. Catholic theologian and canon lawyer Dawn Eden Goldstein criticized Rossetti’s claims, pointing to his earlier controversial statements, while others defended him. Kathryn Jean Lopez, a Catholic writer and editor at a conservative publication, described Rossetti as “a good and holy priest” who had provided significant spiritual help to many.

Theresa Farnan, a moral philosopher and consultant to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, described the firing as “an unfortunate incident,” cautioning against interpreting Rossetti’s comments as politically motivated. She noted that the cardinal’s response was consistent regardless of any external political factors and emphasized the risk of online religious commentary being taken out of context.

Psychologist Thomas Plante of Santa Clara University said Rossetti’s video was a “provocative and controversial” attempt to provide a faith-based framework for understanding unexplained phenomena. Meanwhile, Catholic teaching holds that exorcism is a specialized ritual reserved for authorized clergy and distinguished by a careful process that includes psychological evaluation. Requests for exorcism have reportedly increased in recent decades, sometimes linked to a rise in New Age spirituality, which sociologist Christian Smith said has fueled interest in deliverance ministries.

A New York assistant pastor involved in deliverance ministry, Father Vincent Druding, affirmed that the Church has no official position on UFOs but acknowledged that demonic influences can sometimes present as mysterious visions. He emphasized the importance of combining spiritual intervention with psychological care for those experiencing what they perceive as possession or spiritual affliction.