Presumed ‘apparitions’ need verification

Oct 20, 2015

By Fr Johann G. Roten, SM

Norms and Process for Judging Private Revelations

Realism
During the past several years, the number of reported “Marian” apparitions has been greatly increasing. Our purpose here is to view all popular piety in the context of the total picture of Catholic faith, devotion, and discipleship.

Authentic Visions
Visionaries or seers behold an object not naturally visible to other persons. An authentic supernatural vision or apparition is different from illusions or hallucinations that result from pathological conditions, or even diabolical intervention. An authentic vision is a charism — gratia gratis data — given to an individual or group for the spiritual good of others and/or for the Church as a whole.

The Church’s Voice
On February 25, 1978, the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) issued Norms of the Congregation for Proceeding in Judging Alleged Apparitions and Revelations. Pope Paul VI approved these norms.

The Bishop’s Role
When an allegedly supernatural event has occurred, it is the responsibility of the local bishop to conduct an investigation, usually through a committee of experts.

Theologically and canonically, the bishop is entrusted with the role of “overseer” of the diocese. This role of “overseer” is based on the bishop’s responsibility, both for public worship and for the religious teaching which occurs in the diocese.

Norms for Discernment

1) The first norm for evaluating “miraculous” events is that there be moral certainty, or at least great probability, that something miraculous has occurred. The commission may interview the visionaries, call other witnesses or visit the site of the events.
2) The second norm deals with the personal qualities of the subjects who claim to have had the apparition; they must be mentally sound, honest, sincere, of upright conduct, obedient to ecclesiastical authorities, able to return to the normal practices of the faith (such as participation in communal worship, reception of the sacraments).
3) A third category deals with the content of the revelation or message: it must be theologically acceptable and morally sound and free of error.
4) The fourth positive criterion is that the apparition must result in positive spiritual assets which endure (prayer, conversion, increase of charity).

These four criteria may also be restated in a negative way.

There must be no doubt that what is occurring is truly exceptional and beyond human explanation.

There must be no doctrinal error attributed to God or to the Blessed Virgin Mary or some other saint.

The third negative criterion is

-- that there must be no hint of financial advantage to anyone connected with the apparitions,
-- nor must any of the visionaries be accused of serious moral improprieties at the time when the visions were being received, l-- nor may there be evidence of mental illness or psychopathic tendencies.

Our Responsibility
As the bishops are entrusted with these responsibilities stemming from the nature of their office, so there are fundamental responsibilities on the part of the members of the diocese. First, they are to obey their bishops when the latter act as Christ’s representatives (canon 212), that is, when they teach formally or establish binding discipline as pastors of a particular church. This obedience owed to the bishops in their capacity as leaders of particular churches is intended to promote the common good. Canon 753 also speaks of the “religious assent” owed to the bishops’ teaching authority, which means a special quality of respect and gratitude, along with critical awareness and good will. Hence, there should be intelligent obedience to ecclesiastical authority in the matter of alleged apparitions.