Cardinal Robert McElroy removed Monsignor Stephen Rossetti as an exorcist of the Archdiocese of Washington after the renowned priest said that he believes demons can disguise themselves as aliens or UFOs.
A press release from the archdiocese adds that McElroy, who is well-known for his heterodoxy on homosexuality and other issues, has “ended all affiliation” between the archdiocese and Monsignor Rossetti’s Saint Michael Center for Spiritual Renewal (SMC) in Washington, D.C.
“Cardinal McElroy said that statements made by Monsignor Rossetti 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,” according to the press release.
Monsignor Rossetti responded to Cardinal McElroy’s action by apologizing for “any ways that I have not been faithful to the teachings of the Church’s Magisterium” but did not explicitly repent for anything specific that he mentioned in the video. He noted that the SMC “plans to continue its ministry elsewhere”:
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.
The video that McElroy referred to, published on YouTube on Monday, has now been deleted. It was made in response to a surge of interest in the topic after the Trump administration’s recent release of files documenting alleged observations of UFOs.
Hellbound and Down 