On March 25, 2022, the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) issued a new document outlining the procedure to evaluate alleged apparitions and revelations. This document is known as the “Norms regarding the manner of proceeding in the discernment of presumed apparitions or revelations.”
It states that when a claim of a supernatural event is reported, the local bishop should initiate an investigation if the event offers some form of spiritual fruit. The bishop’s input in the initial stage is considered highly crucial.
The document also provides guidance on how these investigations should be conducted. These may involve theological, psychological, and medical inquiries.
The guidance advises that the bishop should pay attention to a series of factors. These include the personal qualities of the person who reported the apparition (mental balance, honesty, and rectitude of moral life, obedience to ecclesiastical authority, etc.), the content of the revelations (they may not contradict faith and morals), and the resulting fruits (they should lead to an increase in faith, hope, and charity).
If the bishop concludes that the alleged apparition or revelation is authentic, he may approve public veneration. If he decides adverse to the claim, or is uncertain about its authenticity, the case should be submitted to the Apostolic See.
