Washington Cardinal McElroy says Exorcism is a Private Ministry, Not a Public Platform for UFO Theories
Cardinal Robert W. McElroy of Washington has clarified that his decision to remove a high-profile priest from his role as an archdiocesan exorcist was not a theological ruling on UFOs, but a move to preserve the private, sacred nature of the ministry.
Msgr. Stephen Rossetti was removed from his post in early June following social media posts linking unidentified flying objects (UFOs) to demonic activity.
In a June 29 interview at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, Cardinal McElroy emphasized that the decision did not target Msgr. Rossetti’s specific beliefs about extraterrestrial life.
"My major objection is that I think the traditional role of an exorcist is a very private one," McElroy said. "It's a sacred one... It shouldn't go beyond that."
The Controversy: From Social Media to Demonic UFOs
Msgr. Rossetti, who leads the St. Michael Center for Spiritual Renewal, has built a massive online platform, including over 146,000 YouTube subscribers. He frequently uses social media to discuss spiritual warfare.
The tipping point occurred in May, when Rossetti posted that "probably many, if not most, UFO sightings are in fact demons."
The Archdiocese's Response: On June 3, Cardinal McElroy issued a statement warning that Rossetti's claims and his center's social media practices "gravely undermine the Church's very precise teaching on the devil, demons and exorcism."
The Wider Debate: Rossetti's comments tap into a broader cultural conversation. While some public figures—like U.S. Vice President JD Vance—have previously echoed similar sentiments ("I think they're demons"), theologians like Christopher Baglow of the McGrath Institute suggest Rossetti overstepped by presenting personal speculation as official Church doctrine.
In a statement following his removal, Msgr. Rossetti expressed sadness, apologized for any failure to remain fully obedient to Church leadership, and noted that his center would continue its work independently.
Catholics and the "Age of Disclosure"
The debate arrives amid a surge of interest in Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs) within Catholic circles, fueled by recent U.S. government disclosures.
A New Documentary: On July 7, filmmaker Sam Sorich released the trailer for "Not of This World: Catholic Faith in the Age of Disclosure." The docuseries explores how Catholics, theologians, and exorcists are responding to UFO questions—including claims that the Vatican holds evidence of non-human intelligence.
Theology and Extraterrestrials: The Church has no official stance on alien life. Many Catholic theologians assert that the existence of intelligent life elsewhere in the universe does not conflict with Christian faith or the story of salvation.
While the Vatican has yet to issue formal guidance on the phenomenon, veteran Vatican journalist Delia Gallagher notes that the topic is only growing in relevance: "This is a topic that is destined to become more important. The Vatican will eventually... have something more concrete to say about it."
Edited from - https://www.usccb.org/news/2026/us-cardinal-exorcist-role-should-be-private-after-priests-removal-tied-ufo-controversy
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