On March 29, 2022, the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith released a new document providing guidelines for dealing with alleged supernatural phenomena such as apparitions of the Virgin Mary or other miracles. This is the first time the Vatican has updated these guidelines in over 40 years.
The guidance, called “Norms Regarding the Manner of Proceeding in the Discernment of Presumed Apparitions or Revelations,” provides a clear framework to evaluate claims of supernatural occurrences. This includes investigating the credibility of witnesses, the mental and spiritual health of the alleged seer, and whether the event promotes prayer, faith, and good works.
The main motivation behind the update was to decentralize these investigations, allowing local bishops more say in these matters. Previously, Rome would typically conduct investigations into these phenomena, but the new guidelines empower local bishops to be the first line of response and investigation.
It’s important to note that the guidelines do not exist to legalize or legitimize every claim, but rather to investigate each claim thoughtfully, respectfully, and thoroughly. The Vatican maintains that true divine apparitions are rare occurrences.
