Dear Catholic Exchange:
I am a Catholic working in a County Jail Ministry. In a Bible study the other day one of the female inmates asked about a female psychic who has written a book (that she is reading). She wondered what Christians believe about psychic phenomena. I was only able to share what I had been taught by the Church, and this is: do not dabble in this. I also told her that I would attempt to find out more about this for her.
When I say psychic phenomena, I am also interested in knowing what the Church has to say about parapsychology.
Sincerely,
Sandy McCargar
Dear Ms. McCargar,
Parapsychology is defined as the study of the evidence for psychological phenomena, such as telepathy, clairvoyance, and psychokinesis, that are inexplicable by science.
When considering such psychic phenomena, a few things must be borne in mind. The first is that humans are spiritual creatures — we not only have a body, but we also have a soul. And we live in a universe that contains not only the natural, but the supernatural (for example, angels and demons). So the Church doesn’t simply write off occurrences of this kind — she acknowledges that they can and do happen. Finally, the Church teaches that definite good and definite evil exist.
When evaluating psychic phenomena, then, we cannot group them in one category. Instead, we must take each instance as it occurs. The most important consideration is the source: is the reported phenomenon Christ-centered? Particularly in the case of a vision or prophecy, does it in any way contradict what God has already revealed to His Church?
Some forms of psychic phenomena are strictly forbidden. The Church condemns all forms of divination (attempts to see the future) and sorcery (attempts to tame occult powers):
“All forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to 'unveil' the future. Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone” (Catechism of the Catholic Church [Catechism], no. 2116, emphasis original; cf. no. 2115).
“All practices of magic, or sorcery, by which one attempts to tame occult powers, so as to place them at one’s service and have a supernatural power over others — even if this were for the sake of restoring their health — are gravely contrary to the virtue of religion. These practices are even more to be condemned when accompanied by the intention of harming someone, or when they have recourse to the intervention of demons. Wearing charms is also reprehensible. Spiritism often implies divination or magical practices; the Church for her part warns the faithful against it. Recourse to so-called traditional cures does not justify either the invocation of powers or the exploitation of another’s credulity” (Catechism, no. 2117; emphasis original).
At the same time, “God can reveal the future to his prophets or to other saints. Still, a sound Christian attitude consists in putting oneself confidently into the hands of Providence for whatever concerns the future, and giving up all unhealthy curiosity about it. Improvidence, however, can constitute a lack of responsibility” (Catechism, no. 2115).
As the Catechism says, God does sometimes reveal the future. For example, in the Old Testament, God gave Joseph, the son of Jacob, the ability to interpret dreams (Gen. 40:8-41:40). God gave this same ability to Daniel (cf. the book of Daniel). God gave knowledge of the future to his prophets (e.g., Isaiah, Jeremiah, etc.). In the New Testament, God communicated to Joseph, husband of the Virgin Mary, through dreams — instructing him to take Mary into his home, to flee to Egypt, and to return to Israel (cf. Mt. 1:20-25; 2:13-15, 19-20).
Other examples of what might be called psychic phenomena: Christ appeared to Saul on the road to Damascus; this vision (which no one else could see) led to Saul’s conversion (cf. Acts 9:1-19). In more recent times, there are stigmatists such St. Francis of Assisi and St. Padre Pio. St. Teresa of Avila is known to have levitated. St. Martin de Porres was known to have levitated and bilocated.
In 1 John, we are told, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are of God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit which confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit which does not confess Jesus is not of God” (1 John 4:1-3a). Psychic phenomena that are from God should always direct us back to God. If ever in doubt over any sort of psychic phenomena, a person might consult with a trusted priest.
You might be interested in reading our Faith Facts on these related topics: The New Age Movement and Private Revelation. If you have further questions about specific psychic phenomena, please feel free to contact us again.
United in the Faith,
Sarah Rozman
Information Specialist
Catholics United for the Faith
827 North Fourth Street
Steubenville, OH 43952
800-MY-FAITH (800-693-2484)
I am a Catholic working in a County Jail Ministry. In a Bible study the other day one of the female inmates asked about a female psychic who has written a book (that she is reading). She wondered what Christians believe about psychic phenomena. I was only able to share what I had been taught by the Church, and this is: do not dabble in this. I also told her that I would attempt to find out more about this for her.
When I say psychic phenomena, I am also interested in knowing what the Church has to say about parapsychology.
Sincerely,
Sandy McCargar
Dear Ms. McCargar,
Parapsychology is defined as the study of the evidence for psychological phenomena, such as telepathy, clairvoyance, and psychokinesis, that are inexplicable by science.
When considering such psychic phenomena, a few things must be borne in mind. The first is that humans are spiritual creatures — we not only have a body, but we also have a soul. And we live in a universe that contains not only the natural, but the supernatural (for example, angels and demons). So the Church doesn’t simply write off occurrences of this kind — she acknowledges that they can and do happen. Finally, the Church teaches that definite good and definite evil exist.
When evaluating psychic phenomena, then, we cannot group them in one category. Instead, we must take each instance as it occurs. The most important consideration is the source: is the reported phenomenon Christ-centered? Particularly in the case of a vision or prophecy, does it in any way contradict what God has already revealed to His Church?
Some forms of psychic phenomena are strictly forbidden. The Church condemns all forms of divination (attempts to see the future) and sorcery (attempts to tame occult powers):
“All forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to 'unveil' the future. Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone” (Catechism of the Catholic Church [Catechism], no. 2116, emphasis original; cf. no. 2115).
“All practices of magic, or sorcery, by which one attempts to tame occult powers, so as to place them at one’s service and have a supernatural power over others — even if this were for the sake of restoring their health — are gravely contrary to the virtue of religion. These practices are even more to be condemned when accompanied by the intention of harming someone, or when they have recourse to the intervention of demons. Wearing charms is also reprehensible. Spiritism often implies divination or magical practices; the Church for her part warns the faithful against it. Recourse to so-called traditional cures does not justify either the invocation of powers or the exploitation of another’s credulity” (Catechism, no. 2117; emphasis original).
At the same time, “God can reveal the future to his prophets or to other saints. Still, a sound Christian attitude consists in putting oneself confidently into the hands of Providence for whatever concerns the future, and giving up all unhealthy curiosity about it. Improvidence, however, can constitute a lack of responsibility” (Catechism, no. 2115).
As the Catechism says, God does sometimes reveal the future. For example, in the Old Testament, God gave Joseph, the son of Jacob, the ability to interpret dreams (Gen. 40:8-41:40). God gave this same ability to Daniel (cf. the book of Daniel). God gave knowledge of the future to his prophets (e.g., Isaiah, Jeremiah, etc.). In the New Testament, God communicated to Joseph, husband of the Virgin Mary, through dreams — instructing him to take Mary into his home, to flee to Egypt, and to return to Israel (cf. Mt. 1:20-25; 2:13-15, 19-20).
Other examples of what might be called psychic phenomena: Christ appeared to Saul on the road to Damascus; this vision (which no one else could see) led to Saul’s conversion (cf. Acts 9:1-19). In more recent times, there are stigmatists such St. Francis of Assisi and St. Padre Pio. St. Teresa of Avila is known to have levitated. St. Martin de Porres was known to have levitated and bilocated.
In 1 John, we are told, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are of God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit which confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit which does not confess Jesus is not of God” (1 John 4:1-3a). Psychic phenomena that are from God should always direct us back to God. If ever in doubt over any sort of psychic phenomena, a person might consult with a trusted priest.
You might be interested in reading our Faith Facts on these related topics: The New Age Movement and Private Revelation. If you have further questions about specific psychic phenomena, please feel free to contact us again.
United in the Faith,
Sarah Rozman
Information Specialist
Catholics United for the Faith
827 North Fourth Street
Steubenville, OH 43952
800-MY-FAITH (800-693-2484)
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