The Vatican
has just updated its guidelines for
reviewing apparitions, visions and alleged revelations, and reaffirmed that
only a pope could formally deem something to be "supernatural." The guidelines outline six potential conclusions that may be reached. The update comes at a time when social media has
led to an explosion of new claims of supposed apparitions or visions —
including Jesus appearing on
food and weeping statues of the
Virgin Mary.
The
new norms outline six prudential conclusions that may eventually be granted to
such phenomena. They go from the
most believable to the very unreliable:
·
Nihil obstat:
Without expressing certainty about the event itself, there may be an
appreciation of the potential spiritual and pastoral value, where the diocesan
bishop is encouraged to promote its spread, including through possible
pilgrimages to a sacred site;
·
Prae oculis habeatur:
A recognition of certain positive signs, but notes there are some aspects of
the event that may need further discernment or may cause confusion;
·
Curatur:
An event where there have been "verifiable spiritual fruits" and
where an outright ban "could upset the People of God," but where the
bishop is asked "not to encourage this phenomenon but to seek out
alternative expressions of devotion and possibly reorient its spiritual and
pastoral aspects";
·
Sub mandato:
An occasion where a person, family or group is misusing an event or occurrence
that could potentially lead to exploitation;
·
Prohibetur et obstruatur:
An occurrence where some legitimate merits are found, but where there appear to
be "very serious" risks. In order to prevent confusion or scandal,
the bishop is asked to declare that adherence to the phenomenon is not allowed.
The bishop is also asked to provide further instruction and catechesis
"that can help the faithful understand the reasons for the decision and
reorient the legitimate spiritual concerns of that part of the People of
God;" or,
· Declaratio de non supernaturalitate: An authorization to declare that the phenomenon is found to be not supernatural.
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