- Monsignor Stephen Rossetti was removed from his role as an exorcist in his archdiocese after comments he made linking UFOs to the presence of demon activity.
- Rossetti posted a video on May 29 on his Facebook page where he spoke of UFO sightings and the possible existence of extraterrestrial life.
- In addition to his removal, the Catholic archbishop of Washington, D.C., said they were also ending their affiliation with the St. Michael Center for Spiritual Renewal.
A prominent Catholic priest was removed from his role as an exorcist in his archdiocese after comments he made linking UFOs to the presence of demon activity in a recent Facebook post.
Monsignor Stephen Rossetti, a priest of the Diocese of Syracuse, New York, became well-known for his work in exorcism, founding the St. Michael Center for Spiritual Renewal, a ministry dedicated to deliverance and exorcism, according to St. Michael Center’s website.
“These UFO sightings are in fact demons”
What they’re saying: Rossetti posted a video on May 29 on his Facebook page where he spoke of UFO sightings and the possible existence of extraterrestrial life.
He warned of the potential danger involved, saying, “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.”
He went further to say, “It’s my personal belief that probably many if not most of these UFO sightings are in fact demons.”
The other side:
The Catholic archbishop of Washington, D.C., Cardinal Robert McElroy, said they were also ending their affiliation with the St. Michael Center for Spiritual Renewal.
“Linking UFOs to demonic presence and the Center’s recent use of social media gravely undermine the Church’s very precise teaching on the devil, demons and exorcism,” McElroy said.
Msgr. Rossetti released a statement in response on the Center’s website:
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. 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.
God’s abundant blessings be yours, Msgr. Stephen J Rossetti
Rossetti had been in his role for over 15 years. He has spent decades working in psychological treatment and the spiritual renewal of priests and religions, personally leading hundreds of exorcisms and deliverance sessions.
Welcome message from St. Michael Center For Spiritual Renewal (posted to YouTube about 10 months ago:
