The Catholic Church is set to announce new norms to help determine the authenticity of visions of the Virgin Mary, stigmata, and other supernatural events. The move comes amidst a surge in claims and concerns over the spread of apocalyptic prophecies online, causing confusion among the faithful.
Confirmed authentic divine signs have historically led to a flourishing of faith, with examples such as the apparitions of Mary in Fatima and Lourdes becoming popular pilgrimage sites. Figures like Padre Pio and St. Francis of Assisi, who claimed to have experienced stigmata wounds, have inspired millions of Catholics.
However, such phenomena can also lead to scandal, as seen in the case of the excommunication of a group in Quebec in 2007 over claims of Marian visions. Pope Francis has expressed skepticism about recent events, emphasizing devotion to church-approved Marian apparitions.
The Vatican will issue revised norms for discerning apparitions and supernatural phenomena, updating guidelines first issued in 1978. The new norms aim to provide clarity and prevent confusion among believers.
Experts will analyze and interpret reported apparitions, weeping statues, stigmata, and other mystical phenomena. The Vatican has historically approved fewer than 20 reported apparitions over centuries, with a special commission established last year to study the phenomenon.
Controversies have surrounded reported apparitions, such as the case in Lipa, Philippines, where purported visions of the Madonna were later deemed to have no supernatural origin. The Vatican has urged caution and adherence to its rulings on such events.
The new norms are expected to guide bishops in investigating and determining the authenticity of reported supernatural events, aiming to uphold the integrity of faith and prevent misinformation.
