Catholic Cardinal Robert McElroy, the archbishop of Washington, D.C., removes Monsignor Stephen Rossetti from his role as an exorcist after Rossetti made public comments suggesting that UFO sightings are the work of demons. Multiple outlets report that Rossetti had expressed the view that many, if not most, UFO sightings are actually demonic in nature. The Independent and other publications quote the priest’s statement that it is his personal belief that many UFO reports likely involve demons.
The Guardian adds that McElroy also orders the archdiocese to cut ties with the St Michael Center for Spiritual Renewal, a Washington-based nonprofit associated with Rossetti. The Guardian reports McElroy describes Rossetti’s statements as undermining church teaching. The action is reported as taking place on Wednesday, with the archbishop citing concerns about how the comments align with Catholic doctrine and the responsibilities of an exorcist.
