Priest removed from exorcism duties over UFO and demon comments
Madison Burgess
Featured Image Credit: Msgr Stephen Rossetti/Facebook
A Catholic priest has been removed from his role as an exorcist after he linked UFOs to the work of demons.
The Catholic archbishop of Washington, D.C., Cardinal Robert McElroy, announced the news on Wednesday (3 June) that the church would be cutting ties with a well-known priest in the area, Monsignor Stephen Rossetti.
Rosetti, who is a priest of the Diocese of Syracuse, N.Y., was also an exorcist of the Archdiocese of Washington.
McElroy confirmed that the archdiocese would also break off their relationship with the Michael Center for Spiritual Renewal, which is a Washington-based nonprofit that’s headed by Rossetti.
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Cardinal McElroy cited statements made by Rossetti linking UFOs to demonic presence as the reason for his removal.
A statement from the archdiocese also said that the Center’s recent use of social media ‘gravely undermines the Church’s very precise teaching on the devil, demons and exorcism’.
So, what exactly did Rossetti say to warrant his removal as an exorcist?
Rossetti is prominent on social media and has more than 148,000 followers on Instagram, where he describes himself as a Catholic priest, exorcist, and psychologist.
He’s also got a large following on Facebook, where, as reported by NBC News, he made the comments in question about UFOs and demons.
Rossetti reportedly said in a video on Friday (29 May): “There’s a danger here,” as he addressed UFO sightings and the existence of aliens.
He added, “As an exorcist, I wanted to raise that danger. And that is that demons like to hide. ... They don’t want us to know what they’re doing because they’re more effective when we don’t realize it.
“They can kind of get into your head, you know, and manipulate things in the world to influence us to do evil.”
Rosetti said: “It’s my personal belief that probably many if not most of these UFO sightings are in fact demons.”
After the news of his role as an exorcist was terminated, and the links to his center were cut, Rossetti issued a public apology on his website and ‘asked for forgiveness’.
He wrote in a statement: “I am saddened by the decision of the Archdiocese of Washington to cut its affiliation with St. Michael Center for Spiritual Renewal (SMC).
“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’.
“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 priest added, “Also, I will continue to encourage all to do so as well. As I often say: ‘Stay in the Boat!,’ that is, stay in the barque of Peter, it will lead you safely home.
“I am grateful for 19 years of ministering in the Archdiocese of Washington as its exorcist and I thank the Archdiocese for its support and blessing all these years. We will remember the Cardinal and all in ADW in our prayers for its important ministry. SMC plans to continue its ministry elsewhere.”
Tyla has contacted Monsignor Stephen Rossetti and the St. Michael Center for Spiritual Renewal for comment.