Church Approval of Apparitions – How Does That Work?
This is the criteria used when
determining what goes on this timeline with regards to apparitions:
Contrary to what many Catholics think,
since the time of the Council of Trent in the 1500s it is the
officially appointed local bishop of a diocese that has the full authority
to approve an apparition, mystic and miracles in his diocese. It can
also go to the Archbishop, and also a local council of bishops when
and if further investigation is necessary.
The Vatican can then
investigate further, or, the bishop may go to the Vatican if they
need further assistance in ascertaining if an apparition or miracle is
indeed supernatural and therefore true, but basically, approval is in the hands of the local bishops.
If a bishop has pronounced an apparition or miracle to be authentic,
his pronouncement of approval is all that is needed, and the faithful
may safely believe in the apparition.
The Vatican does reserve the right to
approve an apparition in certain cases, but basically, the weight of
determining the authenticity of an apparition rests on the local
bishop.
However, should an examination of a Pontifical Commission into a visionary or mystic commence, then the full authority rests on the pope's decision, which is final, and a local bishop and even a future pope cannot overturn it later. That means, if the Pope finally weighs in, then that decision is absolutely final. In fact, there have only been a very small handful of cases when the Holy See approved a vision. The vast majority of apparitions through the centuries have been left to local bishops.
This is what a bishop is required to
look for in a real apparition:
- The facts in the case are free of error. (For example, the mystic can keep the various facts straight, such as dates and times when the apparitions happened, etc.)
- The person(s) receiving the messages is/are psychologically
balanced, honest, moral, sincere and respectful of church authority. (Respectful of Church authority, i.e. they do not try and go over the local bishop's head and try to gain approval elsewhere, etc. They are obedient to the Church, the local bishop, and the process of examination.)
- Doctrinal errors are not attributed to God, Our Lady or to a
saint.
- Theological and spiritual doctrines presented are free of
error.
- Moneymaking is not a motive involved in the events.
- Healthy religious devotion and spiritual fruits result, with
no evidence of collective hysteria.
Also, part of obedience to the local authority of the bishop as a sign of authenticity--if a mystic sets up a shrine, religious order, or pilgrim site or charity in UNION with the bishop and places it under his authority. Mystics that refuse to do this break points 2, and 5, and possibly 6 . According to the Council of Chalcedon (451 AD) - "Religious
and laity who run monasteries, martyrs' shrines or almshouses who do
not obey the local bishop's authority." are committing an offense that is
EXCOMMUNICABLE. (Subject to Excommunication.)
Very rarely is approval withdrawn by
another bishop. So, if an apparition or mystic has been declared by
a local bishop 'supernatural' that means it has been approved.
There are cases when a bishop has
approved a site for faith expression, or prayers revealed, without
necessarily approving the apparitions themselves– still, that
generally is considered a 'favourable reaction' and the faithful may
safely spread the messages, that is, until further notice.
So, that is how I will judge what goes up on this page: (if you want the full details, history, and Church councils, rulings, etc. that laid out how an apparition is approved, check out this page on the 'Miracle Hunter's Website', click here.)
So, that is how I will judge what goes up on this page: (if you want the full details, history, and Church councils, rulings, etc. that laid out how an apparition is approved, check out this page on the 'Miracle Hunter's Website', click here.)
*) Also, if you want more detailed information, here is the full list of norms of judging an apparition according to the Vatican's website, click here.
Needless to say, condemned apparitions
and their 'revelations' will not be included on this site. Catholics
have no business spreading condemned messages – some of the most
infamous ones are listed on the bottom left of this site listed as -
“!?” Click on them for info - I've pointed out some of the errors
in them, some of these include major heretical errors and even
diabolical manifestations.
The Magisterium of the Catholic Church has the
sole authority to interpret the doctrinal teachings in the Bible and
to declare what is an authentic apparition or mystic. We are
required to be obedient for the sake of our souls.
So many Catholics are committing the sin
of disobedience by spreading condemned messages, not to mention
heretical teachings by not following the Church's interpretations of
the Scriptures. It is frightening the amount of Catholics who still
insist on promoting visions that have clearly taught centuries-old
heresies condemned by the Church! They even go so far to erase the
errors in the fake visionaries messages so they may continue to
promote 'their' beloved mystic despite Church condemnation. As St.
James teaches it only takes a failure in one point to fail in the
whole law – so be careful and be obedient. The safest rule in
order to avoid being duped by the devil is OBEDIENCE to the local
bishop(s) and any rulings they have made regarding a visionary.
* Apparitions Not Yet Approved or
Condemned – What to Do?
If a local
bishop has not yet investigated an apparition – the faithful may
spread the messages – provided they are free from error and do
not contradict the Scriptures and / or teachings of the Church
until the local bishop has made a decision. Yes, this is the one
occasion which puts the burden on the faithful to stay wary and to
know their faith well. So yes, we may spread visions that have not
yet been investigated, but we MUST BE CAREFUL.
There are a few
visionaries out there that have not yet been investigated which I've
caught out in some things that shows their messages contradict
the Bible and other authentic mystics, and / or fail in one or more
of the criteria listed above a bishop uses when judging an apparition
which makes them suspect – until the bishop decides, we have the
right to question if they are true mystics or apparitions. All it
takes is one or two sentences of falsehood to show that the devil is
lurking somewhere, for as they say, the devil is in the details –
in some of the questionable visions, there is evidence they have been made up for some personal motive, and /
or, it is a diabolically influenced vision. They too are listed with
“!?” In the bottom left. So -if in some cases I've noted any 'red flags' with a non-approved apparition, even if not yet condemned by the Church, I will give my reasons and the 'red flags' I see so it is understood why I won't list such apparitions on this site until formal approval is given by the Church. We are free to not believe in a non-approved apparition.
*) Are We Required to Believe in
Private Revelations?
NO, we are not
required to believe in approved apparitions for salvation -the Church
teaches that all that is necessary for salvation has already been
revealed by God through the Scriptures and nothing new will be revealed on that point.
Hence, this is
used as one of criteria for judging an apparition – if a vision
tries to propose a new doctrine, or tries to imply that the Church
fathers didn't interpret scripture correctly and contradicts sacred
Tradition handed down by the Magisterium– it is a false vision.
As
St. Paul warned:
*) “Therefore, brethren, stand fast;
and hold the traditions which you have learned, whether by
word, or by our epistle.” (2 Thess. 2:14)
*)
(On speaking of false apostles preaching a Gospel not taught by him
and the Apostles:): "For such false apostles are deceitful
workmen, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no
wonder: for Satan himself transformeth himself into an angel of
light.” (2 Cor. 11: 13-15)
*)
“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach a gospel to
you besides that which we have preached to you, let him be anathema.
As we said before, so now I say again: If any one preach to you a
gospel, besides that which you have received, let him be anathema.
(Gal. 1:8-9)
*) Then Why Does the Church Approve
Private Revelations?
While true private revelations will
never bring a new dogma contrary to the Scriptures – they will
confirm what the Church teaches, and, also warn the faithful of
upcoming events on earth – God continues to guide the path of His
children.
We see an example in the Acts of the
Apostles when members of the early Church were warned about a coming
famine through a prophet – they heeded the warning and were able
to prepare for the event:
"And it shall come to pass, in the
last days, (saith the Lord,) I will pour out of my Spirit upon all
flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your
young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams."
(Acts of Apostles 2:17)
St. Paul also said do not despise prophecy.
So, the Lord will not abandon us – He
continues to warn through prophecies and private revelation – we
are just not required to believe these private revelations for
eternal salvation. However, it is good to heed a warning if we wish
to be spared additional hardships.
