The Vatican has introduced new rules for evaluating reported supernatural phenomena. The new regulations replace those created in 1978 and are intended to tighten procedures for evaluating these events, which have stirred emotions among believers for centuries.
Under the new guidelines, bishops can no longer act independently when dealing with reports of such incidents. Instead, they must consult with the Vatican before conducting an investigation. Also, bishops lost the authority to recognize the “supernatural” nature of apparitions and other supposedly divine phenomena. Now this role falls to the Pope and the Vatican offices.
Apparitions of the Virgin Mary “Not Always Real”
Pope Francis has expressed doubts about such events in the past. Last year he told Italy’s RAI television that apparitions of the Virgin Mary were “not always real” and that he preferred to see them as “pointing to Jesus” rather than drawing attention to himself.
Reports of the appearance of “residues” such as Jesus’ crucifixion wounds on the hands and feet of holy people often became the basis for the creation of sanctuaries and pilgrimages.
Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez emphasized that such events must be evaluated very carefully because they are false and can be used for “profit, power, fame, social recognition or other personal interests.”
“Nihil Obstad”
New Vatican regulations require bishops to issue a “nihil obstat” — essentially an approval for worship, leaving open the question of whether the Vatican can formally consider the event “supernatural.” But Fernandez said such a statement is “very unique.”
Bishops may come to five other conclusions regarding alleged supernatural events. This includes officially rejecting or taking steps to prohibit or restrict the worship of controversial or patently incorrect events.
A case in point is the supernatural apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Amsterdam in the 1940s and 1950s, which were dismissed in 2020 after several conflicting assessments.
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