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Ask Alice about Catholicism VISION Vocation Network Sponsors

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Ask Alice about Catholicism

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Do Catholics believe in ghosts?

This is the post-Halloween question I was waiting for! Its a good question, especially for those old enough to remember when the Trinity was defined as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. First, the word ghost comes from the German Geist , which means spirit. So there is less difference between these terms than we normally ascribe. Our modern idea of ghosts, however, is so shaped by horror films and the occult that I cant say simply: Yes, Catholicism admits the reality of ghosts. Let me take a longer route to the answer. Catholicism teaches that we are both body and soul, or as Saint Paul says (using the Greek for these words), flesh and spirit. The soul is a substantial and spiritual principle endowed with immortality according to the Catholic Encyclopedia . Its substantial because it has elements of being, such as potency, stability, and the capacity to be modified. Its spiritual in that it is immaterial and has intelligence and free willirrespective of its relationship to a physical body. When we die, the soul separates from the body, to be reunited at the end of the ages. Jesuit John Hardon in his Modern Catholic Dictionary notes that God may and does permit the souls of the dead to appear before the living when its suitable for our salvation. The lives of the saints are full of such apparitions. Church teaching, based in biblical tradition, warns against trying to conjure or control such spirits as occult practices routinely do. That means just say no to Ouija boards, sances, mediums, automatic writing, tarot cards, or other supernatural methods for obtaining information. Seeking the aid of powers other than God is a deterrent to faith, does not lead to good, and can lead to harm. That is the Catholic position on the supernatural in general. Note: It is not a refutation of the existence of supernatural things, angels, demons, and ghosts included. In fact, because exorcism is still on the books in Catholic teaching , it would confirm rather than deny the reality of the spiritual world. But for heavens sake, none of this should make you scared! Catholics believe that God alone is sovereign, and there is no power or principality equal to divine authoritySatan included. Lost souls arent wandering around aimlessly or even purposefully to get you. All created things must answer to God, just like you and me. The Ghost youre most likely to engage is a Holy one. Scripture Deuteronomy 18:9-14; 1 Samuel 28:4-25; 2 Kings 21:6; Isaiah 3:1-3; Micah 5:11; Acts 7:51-53; 13:6-12; 16:16-24; 19:13-20

Alice L. Camille

Alice Camille is a gem among contemporary writers on scripture and Catholic teaching. She has received numerous awards for her books, columns, and exegetical reflections. She received her Master of Divinity degree from the Franciscan School of Theology in Berkeley, where she also served as adjunct faculty in ministry formation, preaching and proclamation. Alice is an author, religious educator, and parish retreat leader. Learn more at www.alicecamille.com. Before sending Alice a question, please check below to see if she has already responded to it. Also, please send only questions of general interest. Not all questions can be used. Thank you!

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Online "I believe in life everlasting," Catechism of the Catholic Church Books Our Lady of the Lost and Found: A Novel of Mary, Faith, and Friendship by Diane Schoemperlen (Penguin Books, 2001) Apparitions of Modern Saints by Patricia Treece (Charis Books, 2001)

ghosts spirits soul immortality eter afterlife

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More questions...and responses

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