The Vatican issued new guidelines on Friday urging a cautious approach towards reported supernatural events like weeping statues and bleeding crucifixes. These phenomena have captivated and sometimes divided Catholic believers for centuries.
Pope Francis Sets a Skeptical Tone
Pope Francis himself has expressed skepticism towards such occurrences. In an interview with Italian RAI TV last year,he stated that Virgin Mary apparitions are "not always real" and that he prefers to see her as someone who "points to Jesus" rather than seeking attention for herself.
From Miracles to Money-Making Schemes: The Need for Scrutiny
The faithful often report these incidents, including stigmata (the appearance of Jesus' crucifixion wounds) on supposedly holy individuals. Such claims have historically fueled the creation of shrines and pilgrimages. However, the Vatican's doctrinal office (DFF) warns that these incidents require careful assessment. They could be fraudulent, motivated by financial gain, or used to build personal cults.
The new document, replacing guidelines from 1978, highlights potential problems associated with unverified supernatural events. These include "wrongdoing, manipulation, damage to Church unity, undue financial gain, and serious doctrinal errors." Such issues can lead to scandals and undermine the Church's credibility.
A Cautious Nod to Local Authority
The DFF advises bishops to typically issue a "nihil obstat" in such cases. This essentially allows local worship practices to continue without officially recognizing the phenomenon as "supernatural." Official recognition by the Vatican for such events remains extremely rare.
Faith and Unverified Miracles: Can They Coexist?
The document acknowledges that many popular pilgrimage sites are linked to unverified supernatural events. However,the DFF suggests this doesn't necessarily pose a major threat to faith. Notably, the document doesn't mention the popular Medjugorje shrine in Bosnia, which claims ongoing apparitions of the Virgin Mary since 1981.
Beyond "Nihil Obstat": A Range of Responses
The DFF outlines five additional decisions bishops can make, including rejecting an event as supernatural, banning worship of controversial phenomena, or limiting worship practices associated with blatantly fake occurrences.
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Source: Reuters
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