Ethan Walker
The Catholic Church has a clear stance against the practice of consulting mediums, which it considers a form of divination and, therefore, against its religious doctrine. This belief is based on the interpretation of specific Bible passages, such as Deuteronomy 18:10-11, which warns against consulting ghosts and spirits or [seeking] oracles from the dead. However, some Catholics who identify as clairvoyant mediums struggle with reconciling their religious beliefs with their experiences, and there are accounts of saints believed to have been visited by apparitions, complicating the Church's stance on the matter.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Catholic doctrine on mediums/spiritists | The Scriptures unanimously condemn invoking spirits, or divination. |
| Bible references | Leviticus 20:27, Deuteronomy 18:10-13 |
| Catholic Bible | Seven books not in the Protestant version contain no references allowing the practice of consulting mediums. |
| Catholic teaching | All forms of divination are to be rejected, including consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens, clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums. |
| Reasoning | These practices contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear owed to God alone. |
| Catholic belief | God is the Lord of life and death, and seeking power from any other source is wrong. |
| Prayer | Catholics believe their prayers are efficacious for those who have "fallen asleep in the Lord." They pray for the forgiveness of sins and to see their loved ones again in the Lord's Kingdom. |
| Saints | The Catholic Church does not recognize saints as having clairvoyance. |
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What You'll Learn
The Bible condemns spiritism and mediums
The Bible is clear in its condemnation of spiritism and mediums, with references in both the Old and New Testaments. In Deuteronomy 18:10-12, it is written: "Let there not be found among you anyone who... consults ghosts and spirits or seeks oracles from the dead". This verse is common to both the Catholic and Protestant Bibles and is one of the most explicit condemnations of mediumship in Scripture.
The Bible also states that those who practice spiritism "will not inherit God's Kingdom" (Galatians 5:19-21). In Leviticus 20:27, it is written: "A man or woman who is a medium or spiritist among you must be put to death. You are to stone them; their blood will be on their own heads". These verses leave no doubt that the Bible considers mediumship and spiritism to be gravely sinful practices.
The Bible also provides examples of the negative consequences of consulting mediums and spiritists. In 1 Chronicles 10:13-14, it is written that Saul died because he was unfaithful to God, and part of this unfaithfulness was consulting a medium (1 Samuel 28). In this instance, Saul's consultation with a medium is described as a "detestable" act (1 Samuel 28:3). Similarly, in 2 Kings 21:6, it is written that Josiah removed mediums and spiritists from Judah and Jerusalem to fulfil the requirements of the law written in the book of Deuteronomy.
The practice of mediumship is considered a form of divination, which the Bible explicitly rejects. Divination is defined as "recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead, or other practices falsely supposed to 'unveil' the future". This includes consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens, clairvoyance, and other similar practices. These practices are rejected because they contradict the honour, respect, and fear owed solely to God.
While some may argue that mediumship is a valid form of understanding the world beyond what is visible, the Bible is clear that the dead are just that—dead. They cannot think, act, or worship God. Instead of consulting mediums, Christians are instructed to put their trust in God and His providence, confidently awaiting whatever the future may hold.
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The Catholic Church rejects divination
The Church's stance on divination is based on the belief that such practices contradict the honour, respect, and fear owed to God alone. Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens, clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums are all considered attempts to gain power over time, history, and other human beings, which is seen as a sin.
While the Catholic Church rejects divination, it does believe in the possibility of communication with the dead. Catholics believe that their prayers are efficacious for those who have "fallen asleep in the Lord". They pray for the forgiveness of their loved ones' sins and ask God to remember them eternally, hoping to be reunited in the Lord's Kingdom. This belief is based on the understanding that Christ's death destroyed death, allowing the possibility of remaining connected to Him even after death.
Despite this belief, the Church maintains that actively conjuring spirits or claiming to have the power to do so at will, as some mediums do, is sinful. This distinction is seen in the case of Padre Pio, a 20th-century Italian saint who is believed to have been visited by apparitions of the departed. Unlike mediums, Padre Pio neither actively conjured nor desired these visions.
Some Catholics who identify as clairvoyant mediums have shared their struggles with reconciling their faith and their beliefs. While some have chosen to discontinue their divination practices, others question whether their powers could be a form of the fruit of the Holy Spirit or a gift from God.
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Saints are not perfect
The Catholic Church teaches that saints are not perfect. In his Angelus address marking All Saints' Day, Pope Francis said that saints are not perfect models but people whose lives God has crossed. They are like stained glass windows in a church, which allow light to enter in different shades of colour.
Saints are those who have welcomed the light of God into their hearts and have passed it on to the world. They fought to take away the stains and darkness of sin, allowing the gentle light of God to pass through. They are not perfect but fought hard against sin.
The saints are like everyone else, breathing the air polluted by the evil that's in the world. However, they never lose sight of Jesus' path, indicated in the beatitudes, which are like the map of Christian life. The feast of All Saints is not just celebrated in honour of those who have reached the goal but also for the many "simple and hidden people" who help God to "carry the world forward" through everyday holiness.
The saints may have been sinners in their earlier lives, progressively growing more holy. They are always aware of the vast difference in perfection between themselves and God. They will always say they are wretched sinners, but they are not lying or being overly humble. They are using a different standard than is normal for "sin".
The Lord has never granted clairvoyance, as far as the Catholic Church's official records go. Satan is an angel of light and will often take good intentions and use them to corrupt. Saints are not clairvoyant mediums but are extremely good at picking up on tiny facial changes or how people respond to things.
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Mediums are psychics who charge a fee
The Catholic Church's stance on mediums is clear: all forms of divination are to be rejected. The Bible is said to condemn spiritism and mediums in Leviticus 20:27 and Deuteronomy 18:10-13. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 states:
> Let there not be found among you anyone who causes their son or daughter to pass through the fire, or practices divination, or is a soothsayer, augur, or sorcerer, or who casts spells, consults ghosts and spirits or seeks oracles from the dead.
Catholics believe that clairvoyance and other forms of divination conceal a desire for power over time, history, and other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. This contradicts the honour, respect, and fear that they believe are owed to God alone.
Despite the Church's stance, some Catholics identify as clairvoyant mediums. One such Catholic, who claims to have been born with these powers, sought counsel from their deacon, who advised against using them. However, when they refrained from using their powers, they felt depressed and drained.
The cost of a medium can vary, with some not charging any fee, and others charging anywhere from $25 to over $1000 for a reading. The cost of a medium may depend on their experience level, the tools they use, and the demand for their services. For example, a trance medium that allows spirits to use them as a vessel may charge a higher fee than a regular medium because trance mediumship is more specialized.
Some people may be hesitant to pay high fees for a medium's services, but there are ways to ensure you get your money's worth. It is recommended that you vet the medium's profile before committing to a full reading by checking star ratings, reviews, and any other relevant information. It is also advisable to stick to sites with a satisfaction guarantee policy so that you can get a refund if you are dissatisfied.
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God reveals the future to prophets
The Catholic Church and the Bible strongly condemn the practice of invoking spirits, or divination. This includes consulting mediums, clairvoyance, horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens, and lots. These practices are believed to be an attempt to gain power over time, history, and other human beings, and to conciliate hidden powers. They are considered to contradict the honour, respect, and fear owed solely to God.
However, it is acknowledged by some that God can reveal the future to prophets and saints. While Christians should confidently put themselves in the hands of Providence regarding the future, they should also refrain from unhealthy curiosity and improvidence.
Catholics believe that their prayers are efficacious for those who have "fallen asleep in the Lord". They pray for the forgiveness of sins and the hope of reunion in the Lord's coming Kingdom. Christ's death is believed to have destroyed death, allowing the possibility of remaining connected to Him, even in death.
Some individuals who identify as Catholic claim to have clairvoyant abilities or to be mediums. However, these claims are not supported by official Catholic Church records, which state that clairvoyance has never been granted by the Lord. In addition, the Church teaches that Satan is an angel of light who can use good intentions to corrupt individuals. While some may argue that their gifts are from God, the Church advises against such practices, as they are considered sinful and contrary to Catholic doctrine.
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Frequently asked questions
The Bible strongly condemns spiritism and mediums. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says in No. 2116: "All forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to 'unveil' the future".
Consulting with spirits is believed to contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear owed to God alone. It is also believed to stem from a desire for power over time, history, and other human beings.
While some Catholics believe they have clairvoyant powers, the Church's official records do not recognize clairvoyance as a gift from God.
