CDF: Norms on discerning presumed apparitions now in English

The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) has published new translations of the Norms regarding the manner of proceeding in the discernment of presumed apparitions or revelations into various languages from their original Latin.

The idea behind the move, according to CDF Prefect Cardinal William Levada, is to help bishops worldwide determine the credibility of “extraordinary phenomena of presumed supernatural origin” in the light of faith.

The Norms, which were first drawn up by the Servant of God Pope Paul VI in 1978, are now available on the congregation's website www.doctrinafidei.va in six languages including English. 

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Bearing this in mind, the Holy Father, Benedict XVI, notes the following:

“Consequently the Synod pointed to the need to ‘help the faithful to distinguish the word of God from private revelations’ whose role ‘is not to complete Christ’s definitive revelation, but to help live more fully by it in a certain period of history.’ The value of private revelations is essentially different from that of the one public revelation: the latter demands faith; in it God himself speaks to us through human words and the mediation of the living community of the Church. The criterion for judging the truth of a private revelation is its orientation to Christ himself. If it leads us away from him, then it certainly does not come from the Holy Spirit, who guides us more deeply into the Gospel, and not away from it. Private revelation is an aid to this faith, and it demonstrates its credibility precisely because it refers back to the one public revelation. Ecclesiastical approval of a private revelation essentially means that its message contains nothing contrary to faith and morals; it is licit to make it public and the faithful are authorized to give to it their prudent adhesion. A private revelation can introduce new emphases, give rise to new forms of piety, or deepen older ones. It can have a certain prophetic character (cf. 1 Th 5:19-21) and can be a valuable aid for better understanding and living the Gospel at a certain time; consequently it should not be treated lightly. It is a help which is proffered, but its use is not obligatory. In any event, it must be a matter of nourishing faith, hope and love, which are for everyone the permanent path of salvation.”

The whole article is published: ---> https://www.radiovaticana.org/en1/articolo.asp?c=591841