(Ed’s note: This report was dismissed as false by the Vatican. See update below – Jan 19, 2009) Pope Benedict XVI is intending to cut down the supernova of false prophets and bogus visionaries and seers by promulgating this new guidelines for investigating Marian Apparitions. The guidelines will include criteria to be published by the pontiff to help bishops distinguish between true or false apparitions and will be called Vademecum or handbook which will detail step by step instructions on how authorities should deal such claim. Once completed, it will be published under the initiative of Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

The London telegraph said:

The Pope is said to be deeply concerned by the explosion in the number of pseudo-mystics who, claiming a direct line to God, set themselves against the bishops and lure the Catholic faithful out of the Church and into disobedient cults.

According to the said news, the first step of the guidelines is “Silence” which will be imposed to the visionary. If the visionary refuse to obey, then the first test of authenticity is failed. Obedience to the Holy Catholic church is always and almost observed by the authentic seers such in the cases of Catherine Laboure, the Children of Fatima, Bernadette Soubirous and Teresing Castillo of Lipa.

An authentic visionary, if he or she is indeed visited by heavenly entities, shoul always absorb and radiate humility, even to the extent of being silenced. For pride is that of the Devil.

The next step is Psychiatrists and Psychologists, either atheists or Catholics will visit the seer to diagnose them if they are suffering from hysterical or hallucinatory character, or any delusions of grandeur (hmm might as well ask the church to diagnose some Elitists bloggers I know LOL).

The third step is investigation of the seer’s educational background, resources and access to some previously published materials.

One important aspect in the guideline is also to see if the seers and mystics and their associates are gaining financial benefits from the said apparition. This too is an important aspect. Even the messages will be scrutinized if its leaning towards the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Once the visionary is proven credible, a group of panel will subject him or her to some interviews facilitated by exorcists and demonologists to rule out if Satan is behind the Apparition or not.

This unusual decision of the Pope to act is triggered by the increasing incidence of private revelations, multiplying every year.

Source: London Telegraph

UPDATE – Jan, 19, 2009

Apparently, the earlier report has been dismissed as rumors by the Vatican and there was no truth to it. Tom McFeely of the National Catholic Register clarified this on his blog:

A Vatican official has denied a document is being prepared about how to deal with alleged Marian apparitions and visions, such as those at Medjugorje.

According to some reports that have circulated in the last few days, Pope Benedict has instructed the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith to prepare a vademecum, or handbook, on the matter. It reportedly would require individuals who said they have experienced appearances or visions of the Virgin Mary to remain silent while their claims are investigated carefully by Church authorities.

The document was also rumored to specify that local bishops should set up commissions composed of psychiatrists, psychologists, theologians and priests to investigate the claimed apparitions.

But according to a Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith official who spoke with Register correspondent Edward Pentin, there is no truth to these reports. The official stated emphatically that no work is underway on a vademecum or on any other type of document regarding the question of how to handle claims of apparitions.