Critical Issues in the New Catholic Church Norms on Alleged Supernatural Phenomena

Abstract

In 2024, new norms were promulgated by the Catholic Church to govern the procedure for the discernment of cases involving alleged supernatural phenomena. The present study examines the most significant aspects of the reform, with particular attention to the decision to exclude, as an ordinary outcome, the possibility of formally affirming the supernatural character of a phenomenon, but also to the disappearance of any determination regarding the truth of the alleged facts. The analysis also includes a comparative assessment of the prior legislation, dating back to 1978, and an examination of the practical application of the 2024 norms. Furthermore, the study addresses the underlying reasons that prompted the adoption of the new regulatory framework, but also the meaning of the notion of the supernatural.