Vatican preparing 'guidelines' for 'apparitions', 'other supernatural phenomena

[Puma]

Preparing the world's population for the increase of paranormal phenomena and window fallers and even the Second Coming of Christ courtesy of the Blue Beam project.

Vatican preparing 'guidelines' for 'apparitions', 'other supernatural phenomena​

The Vatican is preparing to release a document giving guidance on how to discern supernatural phenomena.

The Holy See Press Office announced the upcoming document will be published May 17 with a live-streamed press conference featuring Prefect for the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández.

Fernández has previously said the dicastery is "in the process of finalizing a new text with clear guidelines and norms for the discernment of apparitions and other phenomena," according to the National Catholic Register.

An "apparition" refers to an instance in which a divine entity — such as a saint, the Virgin Mary, or Christ himself — makes itself known to a person on Earth. The concept is a recurring theme in the Bible and most Christian denominations affirm the belief that such brushes with the supernatural can still occur today in various capacities.

The Catholic Church urges "extreme prudence" before ascribing phenomena to a supernatural force, warning that being too quick to attribute divine origin to explainable occurrences can damage the faith and warp belief.

Alleged apparitions are usually documented and scrutinized by the diocesan bishop's office and then forwarded to Rome for further investigation.

The last time the Vatican doctrinal office released guidance on apparitions was in 1978 under Pope Paul VI. That document, "Norms Regarding the Manner of Proceedings in the Discernment of Presumed Apparitions or Revelations," was released due to the increased influence of mass media.

The Miracle of Fátima in 1917 is perhaps the most well-documented apparition in the modern day. After an alleged series of appearances by the Virgin Mary to several peasant children that promised a public miracle, tens of thousands of people in Fátima, Portugal claimed to witness the sun move erratically across the sky and produce radiant colors for several minutes.

The Catholic Church recognized the "supernatural" aspect of the event in 1930. Pope Pius XII formally approved the Fátima apparitions a decade later.

Vatican preparing 'guidelines' for 'apparitions', 'other supernatural phenomena'

The Catholic Church's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith will release guidance later this month to help believers discern "supernatural phenomena" such as "apparitions."

www.foxnews.com

https://twitter.com/x/status/1790602153532465383

 

[Puma]

Vatican releases new norms on alleged supernatural phenomena​

A new document from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith published on Friday, May 17, has updated the norms for discerning alleged supernatural phenomena. The norms come into force on Sunday, May 19, the feast of Pentecost.

The document is preceded by a detailed presentation by Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, Prefect of the Dicastery, followed by an introduction and six possible conclusions. The procedure allows for faster decisions while respecting popular devotion.

In his presentation, Cardinal Fernández explains that, “many times, these events have led to a great richness of spiritual fruits, growth in faith, devotion, fraternity, and service. In some cases, they have given rise to shrines throughout the world that are at the heart of many people’s popular piety today.”

However, there is also the possibility that “in some events of alleged supernatural origin,” serious issues that harm the faithful may arise. These include cases where from the alleged phenomena, “profit, power, fame, social recognition, or other personal interest” (II, Art. 15, 4°) are derived, even to the point of “exerting control over people or carrying out abuses (II, Art. 16).”

There may be “doctrinal errors, an oversimplification of the Gospel message, or the spread of a sectarian mentality.” There is the possibility of believers “being misled by an event that is attributed to a divine initiative but is merely the product of someone’s imagination, desire for novelty, tendency to fabricate falsehoods (mythomania), or inclination toward lying.”

General guidelines​

According to the new norms, the Church will exercise her duties of discernment, based on the following:

“(a) whether signs of a divine action can be ascertained in phenomena that are alleged to be of supernatural origin; (b) whether there is anything that conflicts with faith and morals in the writings or messages of those involved in the alleged phenomena in question; (c) whether it is permissible to appreciate their spiritual fruits, whether they need to be purified from problematic elements, or whether the faithful should be warned about potential risks; (d) whether it is advisable for the competent ecclesiastical authority to realize their pastoral value” (I, 10).

Possible conclusions regarding an alleged phenomenon​

The discernment of an alleged supernatural phenomenon may reach the following six conclusions.

- Nihil Obstat [no objection]: Without expressing any certainty about the supernatural authenticity of the phenomenon itself, many signs of the action of the Holy Spirit are acknowledged. The bishop is encouraged to appreciate the pastoral value and promote the dissemination of the phenomenon, including pilgrimages.

- Prae oculis habeatur [The phenomenon "must be taken into account"] : Although important positive signs are recognized, some aspects of confusion or potential risks are also perceived that require the diocesan bishop to engage in a careful discernment and dialogue with the recipients of a given spiritual experience. If there were writings or messages, doctrinal clarification might be necessary.

- Curatur ["It needs attention."] Various or significant critical elements are noted, but the phenomenon is already spread widely, and verifiable spiritual fruits are connected to it. Therefore, a ban that could upset the faithful is not recommended, but the local bishop is advised not to encourage the phenomenon.

- Sub mandato ["requires special vigilance"]: The critical issues are not connected to the phenomenon itself but to its improper use by people or groups, such as undue financial gain or immoral acts. The Holy See entrusts the pastoral leadership of the specific place to the diocesan bishop or a delegate;

- Prohibetur et obstruatur ["membership in this phenomenon is not permitted"]: Despite various positive elements, the critical issues and risks associated with this phenomenon appear to be very serious. The Dicastery asks the local bishop to offer a catechesis that can help the faithful understand the reasons for the decision and reorient their legitimate spiritual concerns;

- Declaratio de non supernaturalitate [declaration of non-supernaturalness]: The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith authorizes the local bishop to declare that the phenomenon is found to be not supernatural based on concrete facts and evidence, such as the confession of an alleged visionary or credible testimonies of fabrication of the phenomenon.

Procedures to follow​

The new norms then indicate the procedures to be implemented. It is up to the diocesan bishop to examine cases and submit their judgment to the Dicastery for approval. The bishop is asked to refrain from making public declarations about the authenticity or supernatural nature and to ensure there is no confusion or sensationalism.

If the elements of the case “seem sufficient,” the diocesan bishop will then set up an investigative commission, which should include at least one theologian, one canonist, and an expert chosen based on the nature of the phenomenon.

Positive and negative criteria​

The document lays out several positive criteria to evaluate the alleged supernatural phenomenon.

These include: “the credibility and good reputation of the persons who claim to be recipients of supernatural events or to be directly involved in them, as well as the reputation of the witnesses who have been heard...; the doctrinal orthodoxy of the phenomenon and any messages related to it; the unpredictable nature of the phenomenon, by which it is evident that it is not the result of the initiative of the people involved; and, fruits of the Christian life” (II, 14).

The negative criteria involve: “the possibility of a manifest error about the event; potential doctrinal errors...; a sectarian spirit that breeds division in the Church; an overt pursuit of profit, power, fame, social recognition, or other personal interest closely linked to the event; gravely immoral actions…; psychological alterations or psychopathic tendencies in the person that may have exerted an influence on the alleged supernatural event; and, any psychosis, collective hysteria, and other elements traceable to a pathological context” (II, 15).

Vatican releases new norms on alleged supernatural phenomena - Vatican News

The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith releases a document detailing new norms regarding cases of reported supernatural phenomena. As a rule, ...

www.vaticannews.va

Pope tightens rules for dealing with supernatural phenomena such as apparitions of Our Lady​

In a world increasingly marked by social networks and fake news, the Vatican presented this Friday a new document by which it will have more control over the proliferation of alleged supernatural phenomena such as apparitions of the Virgin Mary, crucifixes that sweat blood, weeping statues or mystical visions, events that can mean fraud, abuse and deception for hundreds of thousands of faithful Catholics around the world.

El Papa endurece las reglas para lidiar con los fenómenos sobrenaturales como las apariciones de la Virgen

Según un documento del Dicasterio para la Doctrina de la Fe, de ahora en más los obispos no podrán investigar de manera independiente y las decisiones las tomará el Vaticano

es-us.noticias.yahoo.com

 

[heinrich]

THE VATICAN and more
the link below presents many articles on the catholic church and the vatican. i suggest you explore.

The Dark History of The Vatican - La Oscura Historia del Vaticano

 

[Jim Daniels]

In a world increasingly marked by social networks and fake news, the Vatican presented this Friday a new document by which it will have more control over the proliferation of alleged supernatural phenomena such as apparitions of the Virgin Mary, crucifixes that sweat blood, weeping statues or mystical visions, events that can mean fraud, abuse and deception for hundreds of thousands of faithful Catholics around the world.

That's pretty neat. This is what Authorities are supposed to do, serve as subject matter experts for their clients.

Most people don't have the time or skill to investigate and assess every spooky thing that shows up in their information stream.

 

[jacygirl]

That's pretty neat. This is what Authorities are supposed to do, serve as subject matter experts for their clients.

Most people don't have the time or skill to investigate and assess every spooky thing that shows up in their information stream.

I'm sorry, but you trust the Vatican?
"...events that can mean fraud, abuse and deception for hundreds of thousands of faithful Catholics around the world." (I have no words...but the irony does not escape me.)

 

[Fluffy]

I'm sorry, but you trust the Vatican?
"...events that can mean fraud, abuse and deception for hundreds of thousands of faithful Catholics around the world." (I have no words...but the irony does not escape me.)

I trust the Vatican about as much as I trust my one year old not to eat the bunny kibble - even while I’m looking at her saying ‘don’t do it’ … she truly can not help it, it’s as if she’s hardwired to eat the kibble unless I forcibly take it off her,… , then she tries to eat it in secret without me knowing but I can tell she’s been doing it because of the trademark kibble crusties around her mouth…

Catholic Church has a pretty bad reputation too!!

 

[jacygirl]

I trust the Vatican about as much as I trust my one year old not to eat the bunny kibble - even while I’m looking at her saying ‘don’t do it’ … she truly can not help it, it’s as if she’s hardwired to eat the kibble unless I forcibly take it off her,… , then she tries to eat it in secret without me knowing but I can tell she’s been doing it because of the trademark kibble crusties around her mouth…

Catholic Church has a pretty bad reputation too!!

The worst part is the lies (in both situations), lol.
My white cat would wander out of the kitchen with orange around her mouth. Obviously licking the empty spaghetti sauce pan. She denied it vehemently and even tried to blame the ferret (who can't climb that high).
No accountability. (Do not get me started on the Catholic Church!!)

 

[Jim Daniels]

I'm sorry, but you trust the Vatican?

I don't trust the Vatican. I'm not Catholic.

I'm saying they are doing what Authorities are supposed to do, serve as subject matter experts for their clients.

Most people don't have the time or skill to investigate and assess every spooky thing that shows up in their information stream.

 

[jacygirl]

I don't trust the Vatican. I'm not Catholic.

I'm saying they are doing what Authorities are supposed to do, serve as subject matter experts for their clients.

Most people don't have the time or skill to investigate and assess every spooky thing that shows up in their information stream.

I'm sorry if that came across as judgement, it was more teasing (as I know that many here don't trust authority/institutions).
But yes, they are serving their purpose for their clients.
Also yes, most people don't investigate or challenge their accepted authorities.

Apologies for any misunderstandings and you made good points.

 

[Jim Daniels]

Apologies for any misunderstandings and you made good points.

No worries! I actually like teasing and being teased, but most people do not, so my Wife and Kids warn me when I'm getting too "gregarious".

My eldest Daughter who his 32 has a very distinct way of say "Dad" at family get-togethers which alerts me to cool it.

We take care of each other.

 

[jacygirl]

No worries! I actually like teasing and being teased, but most people do not, so my Wife and Kids warn me when I'm getting too "gregarious".

My eldest Daughter who his 32 has a very distinct way of say "Dad" at family get-togethers which alerts me to cool it.

We take care of each other.

Oh lol, 'gregarious' is my middle name! Hello kindred soul.
Your daughter may tell you to cool it now, but in the future she will appreciate that part of you! Maybe she is reigning you in because she too knows most people don't 'get' teasing.

 

[heinrich]

the vatican archives: the vatican archives have interested me for a long time. now, hackers, to me the most despicable kind of criminals, have penetrated the v. archives, as described below. these findings are coherent with the cass.

the church hides its knowledge instead of sharing it, thus demonstrating its manipulative nature and fundamental dishonesty. it is thereby only the visible partner of satan and not its enemy. the church is a power institution, which is now failing despite its secret knowledge.

"Earth on the Penultimate Floor": Hackers breached the Vatican's server and discovered an ancient manuscript detailing the structure of the worlds • Soul:Ask | Unlock your mind and soul

The Bible is renowned as the most famous and widely read book globally. It addresses the age-old question that has perplexed humanity: does life exist beyond

www.soulask.com

 

[mkrnhr]

Well, I'm not sure about a guideline for supernatural phenomena, but apparently, the Vatican has a cartoon mascot now: .https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260129/meet-luce-the-vatican-s-cartoon-mascot-for-jubilee-2025

So maybe Luce and her friends have some hidden superpowers or the power of friendship to deal with paranormal phenomena or something?

 

[Navigator]

I don't know, kind of the name doesn't sound right for a Vatican mascot.

 

[Mari]

I don't know, kind of the name doesn't sound right for a Vatican mascot.

There IS a Book of Luke in Bible, but they´ve chosen to name the mascot Luce.
And, what do you know, top search on Google tells me that:


Fittingly, Luce also has a blue hair and gender neutral rain coat (?) - maybe so that he/she can go on a pilgrimage around the world and prophesize gender neutral holy writ? We´ll see...

As far as I know, at least in my country, I know only of Luce as a nickname to female name Lucia/Lucija/Lucy/..., rarely to male name Luc/Lucian/... (similar to Luke/Luka/Luca/...).