[ad_1]
The new guidelines replace rules drawn up in 1978 and say bishops must no longer act independently on such observations, but instead consult the Vatican.
The changes made by the Vatican’s doctrinal office (DDF) are intended to bring the church up to date in response to the rapid spread of claims of visions online.
According to the document released by the Vatican on Friday, the new procedure will allow for “faster decisions respecting popular devotion” when it comes to evaluating claims of supernatural phenomena, which could include the appearance of stigmata and other alleged miracles.
Under previous guidelines, a local bishop could quickly declare the supernatural nature of a phenomenon, the Vatican said, “only for the Holy Office to express a different decision later.”
In other cases, a bishop may decide whether an event is supernatural or not only for his successor to conclude otherwise, the statement continued.
The head of the DDF, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, told reporters that often these events “have led to a great wealth of spiritual fruit, growth in faith, devotion, fraternity and service.
Body thieves stole the remains of a Hollywood icon
In some cases, they have led to shrines around the world that are the basis of the popular piety of many people today.”
Speaking at a press conference in the Vatican, the cardinal cited as a positive example Lourdes, the Marian shrine in southwestern France, visited by people with physical and spiritual ailments.
However, he added that some alleged events that stem from the pursuit of “profit, power, fame, social recognition or other self-interest” can harm believers, potentially even to the extent of “exercising control over people or wearing out of abuse.”
Bishops are now usually expected to issue a “nihil obstat,” which would allow the pilgrimage but leave open the question of the Vatican’s official recognition of “supernatural” activity.
However, Fernandez said that recognition would be “very extraordinary”.
Other options available to bishops include the ability to formally dismiss an experience as supernatural, as well as steps to ban or restrict the worship of phenomena viewed with suspicion.
The guidelines state that those who spread false claims can be punished, including formal church penalties.
Positive criteria that will be taken into account by the Church when making a conclusion include the credibility and reputation of those reporting the event, while negative criteria include possible errors, obvious pursuit of self-interest and “any psychosis (or) collective hysteria” .
One site of alleged apparitions of Mary still under review by the Vatican is Medjugorje, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with Cardinal Fernandez telling reporters that the claims will be investigated under the new norms.
In 1981, the Virgin Mary was said to have appeared there.
[ad_2]
