Vatican releases new norms on alleged supernatural phenomena
The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith releases a document
detailing new norms regarding cases of reported supernatural phenomena.
As a rule, neither the local bishop nor the Holy See will declare that
these phenomena are of supernatural origin, but will only authorize and
promote devotion and pilgrimages.
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.
As a rule, the Church’s authority will no longer be engaged to
officially define the supernatural nature of a phenomenon, a process
that can require large amounts time to thoroughly study an event.
Another new norm involves the explicit involvement of the Dicastery
for the Doctrine of the Faith, which must approve the local bishop’s
final decision and which has the authority to intervene motu proprio at any time.
Many cases in recent decades have involved the former Holy Office,
even when individual bishops have expressed themselves. However, the
interventions have usually remained behind the scenes and were never
made public.
The Dicastery’s new explicit involvement also relates to the
difficulty in circumscribing phenomena, which in some cases reach
national and even global dimensions, “meaning that a decision made in
one Diocese has consequences also elsewhere.”
Reasons for the new norms
Spiritual fruits and risks
General guidelines
Possible conclusions regarding an alleged phenomenon
Procedures to follow
Positive and negative criteria
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