New Vatican Document Urges Caution Over Supernatural Events

New Vatican Document , Urges Caution Over , Supernatural Events.
Reuters reports that the Vatican has issued new
guidelines regarding supernatural events, including
weeping Madonnas and crucifixes dripping blood. .
The new guidelines replace rules
first put in place back in 1978. .
According to the Vatican's doctrinal office (DFF),
supernatural incidents should be assessed cautiously,
as they could be fraudulent or exploited for financial gain.
According to the Vatican's doctrinal office (DFF),
supernatural incidents should be assessed cautiously,
as they could be fraudulent or exploited for financial gain.
The discernment may also deal
with problems, such as delicts
(wrongdoing), manipulation,
damage to the unity of the Church,
undue financial gain, and serious
doctrinal errors that could cause
scandals and undermine
the credibility of the Church, Vatican DDF document, via Reuters.
Supernatural incidents have often
become the basis for Catholic
shrines and pilgrimages. .
These incidents include "stigmata," which are crucifixion wounds appearing on the hands and feet of Jesus appearing on saintly people or statues.
Reuters reports that the DDF document
suggests that in such cases bishops
should issue a "nihil obstat.".
Nihil obstat essentially allows for worship,
while leaving the issue open for the Vatican
to determine if it is "supernatural" in nature. .
The document stresses that the purported supernatural
events at the heart of many places of pilgrimage
have not been authenticated by the Vatican.
An example of this would be the Bosnian shrine
of Medjugorje, where multiple apparitions of
the Virgin Mary have been reported since 1981. .
An example of this would be the Bosnian shrine
of Medjugorje, where multiple apparitions of
the Virgin Mary have been reported since 1981.