Seances, Spirits and the Occult - A Catholic View

Bishop Peter J. Elliott

Fr. Peter J: Elliott

ISBN 85826/172/3

A.C.T.S. No. 1718 (1979)

THIS PAMPHLET DEALS WITH PRACTICAL MATTERS AND CLEARLY PRESENTS THE TEACHING OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. IT COULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH PAMPHLET No. 1717 WHICH EXAMINES "REINCARNATION".
- THE EDITOR.

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SEANCES, SPIRITS AND THE OCCULT
A Catholic View

Walk through any bookshop, open the popular magazines, follow the programmes of television and radio and it soon becomes obvious that we are living in the midst of a revival of interest in "the occult". The word means "something hidden", suggesting mystic knowledge, hidden powers and secret wisdom. The practitioners of the occult are consulted, sought after, treated with awe and often rewarded richly. They are the mystic seers from distant lands, the swamis and gurus, the astrologers, the mediums, mystics, healers, workers of miracles, witches and wizards, fortune tellers and fortune hunters. Some come to them to gaze in wonder, to satisfy curiosity. Others desperately seek healings, or contact with the dead or assurance of life beyond the grave.

What should be the attitude of Catholics to this massive revival of occultism and spiritism? Is it all nonsense or is it a serious religious revival? Can we take part in it? Should we approach it with scorn, respect, scepticism or even fear?

Getting Terms Straight

The Church has had centuries of experience in these matters, indeed the whole of Christian history is marked by contact with many forms of occultism and a consistent policy towards this complex area of human experience. Before explaining the policy of the Church on these matters, I would choose to define our terms, to help untangle an area of life which the noted Christian author C. S. Lewis once compared to a swampy jungle.

The word "supernatural" does not appear in the title of this booklet. This is the most common word people use to sum up uncanny events. However, in strict Christian usage it is not correct to use the word "supernatural" to describe occultism or uncanny events. The term "supernatural" refers directly to God. In this world we may use it to describe his saving action and real presence in the sacraments, which raise us to the supernatural life of Grace. Therefore we must never cheapen the word "supernatural" by applying it to a controversial area of human experience, which may not be the work of God at all.

There are two other words which refer more correctly and precisely to uncanny human experiences.
1. "Paranormal" is a mild term, appropriate for unusual matters beyond human understanding, but perhaps one day to be explained by science. Telepathy, and telekinesis (moving an object by the power of the mind) are paranormal powers.
2. "Praeternatural" (or Preternatural) is a stronger term, more appropriate for uncanny events and phenomena, "spooky" events which seem to involve intelligences or spirits, good, neutral or evil. This is the area where "supernatural" is commonly and mistakenly used...

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