A Catholic nun has issued a warning regarding the growing fascination with UFOs and alleged alien encounters, suggesting these phenomena may stem from the spiritual realm rather than extraterrestrial visitors. Mother Miriam, born Rosalind Moss, believes that many purported sightings and encounters could be the work of fallen angels, a viewpoint that has also been echoed by political figures.
During a podcast discussion, Mother Miriam responded to a question about the nature of UFO phenomena, stating, "I think sooner look at the demonic side than the extraterrestrial." She elaborated that according to the teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas, angels can be considered extraterrestrial beings as they originate from the spiritual realm. "The Catholic position, there is such a thing as extraterrestrial intelligence," she said. "These creatures really are from another world, the spiritual world. They're what we call angels."
This perspective aligns with recent statements made by Vice President JD Vance, who suggested on a conservative podcast that UFOs and unexplained aerial phenomena might be "demons" rather than aliens. Prominent commentator Tucker Carlson has also discussed similar theories on his shows and podcasts, positing that celestial phenomena or alien encounters could represent demonic entities.
Mother Miriam, who converted to Catholicism as an adult after being raised in a Jewish home in Brooklyn, New York, previously led the Daughters of Mary, Mother of Israel's Hope monastery in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She asserted that some spiritual beings serve as "ministers of deception and destruction" and actively work to mislead humanity and draw individuals away from faith.
"They do all they can to deceive human beings and draw them into a belief system without God, without faith, and without the necessary graces for their salvation," Mother Miriam stated in a YouTube video. She suggested that an intense focus on UFOs, extraterrestrial visitations, and paranormal events could serve as a spiritual distraction, enabling these entities to achieve a "diabolical mission to deceive and to destroy."
She described these spiritual forces as being involved in a "great cosmic war" in which humanity is a participant. "Once that is understood, all that remains is for you to decide on which side you plan to do battle," she urged.
While emphasizing her concerns, Mother Miriam acknowledged that the Catholic Church has not taken an official stance on the existence of extraterrestrial life, leaving the question open to scientific inquiry and personal interpretation. She conceded that the possibility of life on other planets cannot be entirely dismissed and that if genuine extraterrestrial life were discovered, believers would need to address that reality. "It's possible there are other planets," she said. "The church is not definitive on that."
These discussions arise amidst a resurgence of public interest in UFOs and unidentified aerial phenomena, partly fueled by congressional hearings, declassified government documents, and an increasing number of military encounters with unexplained objects. The potential confirmation of extraterrestrial life has also raised questions about its impact on religious faith, with filmmaker Steven Spielberg noting it could challenge fundamental beliefs about humanity's place in the universe and the nature of God.