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Spirit world? There is only one world and that is called "reality"
However, in reality there is the visible and the invisible. Some would consider this as being matter and sub-atomic matter however I would humbly suggest that these two are Mass [all matter] and Massless [pure energy].
Romans 1:20
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Col 1:16-17
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Hence none see Him, John 11:9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.
This is old. Here is a more descriptive article on it from 1999.
You'll see how Fr. Concetti makes a clear distinction concerning
the manner in which communion with the dead occurs. Vatican Spokesman
For example, it's ok to ask for a saint to intercede for you, it's ok for
you to have an inspirational dream about your deceased loved one,
and feel they are communicating with you, etc..
It is not, however, ok to "raise spirits" as mediums do, or Ouija boards, etc.
That opens spiritual doors to evil, from within and without.
Thus, the Church is not trespassing on the Biblical admonition against
necromancy.
Here is the 1996 interview with Father Gino Concetti that the OP Thrillobyte referred to:
Quote:
Commentary of the Italian reporter: ...’The interview
is very significant, since, for the first time, it points to new tendencies of
the Church in respect of the paranormal, upon which the ecclesiastical board had
quite antagonistic opinions so far’.
TRANSCOMMUNICATION
Father Concetti: ‘According to modern catechizing, God
permits our dear disappeared living in an extraterrestrial sphere to send
messages in order to guide us in certain moments of our lives. Following new
discoveries made in the field of the psychology of the paranormal, the Church
decided to no longer forbid experiments endeavouring dialogues with the
deceased, subject to the condition that they be carried out with a serious
scientific and religious objective.
Question: ‘Doesn’t this convey to us
a new theological concept on communication with the Beyond?’
Father Concetti: ‘Everything proceeds from the idea
that the Church is one sole organism with JESUS CHRIST as its Lord. This
organism composes of the living men forming the people of believers on earth, of
the saints and elect who are in paradise in the peace of spirit, as well as of
the souls who have to expiate their sins in purgatory. These three dimensions
are not only connected with Jesus, but – in conformity with the notion
‚Communion of Saints’ – also with each other, is to say, communication is
feasible.’
Question: ‘In what way have these contacts to be
carried through according to the Church’s doctrines?’
Father Concetti:’The messages can be transmitted not
only by words or tones, say by the human mind’s normal means of communication,
but also through signs, as, for example, by dreams, which occasionally may even
be precognitive, or by spiritual impulses that permeate our mind. These impulses
may transform into visions, images, and concepts.’
Question: ‘Does everybody have this perceptive
faculty?’
Father Concetti C.: ‘Those who frequently perceive
these phenomena are sensitive, that means persons who have an excellent
sensitiveness for the signals coming from the other world. I speak of the
mediums and clairvoyants, but also of normal persons who can have extraordinary
perceptions, a special dream, a strange sign, a sudden enlightenment, and of
those who, unlike the sensitives, succeed only in rare cases in interpreting
what they receive.’
Question: ’Does the Church allow to address to those
called sensitives, or mediums, for an interpretation of the phenomena?’
Father Concetti: ‘Yes, the Church permits to apply to
these special persons, but to use great care, and subject to certain conditions.
The sensitives whom one should consult – also if they perform their experiments
by using modern techniques – should be inspired with belief. Under this aspect,
preference should be given to priests. The Church forbids all contacts of
believers with those who, with the contacts with the Beyond, practise idolatry,
magical invocation of deceased, necromancy, superstition, and esotericism, (say)
all these occult procedures that incite the denial of God and the
sacraments.’
Question: 'What motives does a believer have to follow
in order to enter into a dialogue with the dead?’
Father Concetti: 'It is necessary that a dialogue with
the dead be aspired to only in urgent cases, for example in case somebody has
lost his father, his mother, his son, or spouse under dramatic circumstances and
is not capable of reconciling himself to the separation. A contact with the soul
of a loved one is able to soothe a mind convulsed by such a tragical event. One
may also turn to the dead when a difficult existential problem has to be solved.
Generally, our ancestors help us, and they never send messages that could be
harmful.'
Question: 'What way of behaviour has to be avoided
during mediumistic contacts?’
'For the Catholic Church, contacts with the Beyond are
feasible, and a person who communicates with the world of the deceased in the
light of belief, does not commit any sin.'
They have endorsed praying to dead loved ones for centuries....this is just a logical development.
Quote:
The historic Christian practice of asking our departed brothers and sisters in Christ—the saints—for their intercession has come under attack in the last few hundred years. Though the practice dates to the earliest days of Christianity and is shared by Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, the other Eastern Christians, and even some Anglicans—meaning that all-told it is shared by more than three quarters of the Christians on earth—it still comes under heavy attack from many within the Protestant movement that started in the sixteenth century.
Catholic Answers
Whether the dead here the prayers or not is moot as long as God hears the prayer. Furthermore, the act of praying is healthy for any believer. The benefit of praying is for us. This is part of the Oral Sacred Tradition and folks that only know Sola Scriptura would not be able to understand.
Got a verse for that? Yes--it benefits us, but it's not about us. It's about worshiping God--because he deserves it.
I'd go a step further and say that it goes directly against the Bible.
As I said you have a NEW religion that ignores the 1600 years of Christianity prior to Luther. That is OK, the religion is based on how it is different from Catholicism. I also get the concept of Sola Scriptura. But, do not forget that the Catholic Church put the NT together for you.
In any event here is a priest explaining the issue: I hope you watch, there will be a quizz, .
As I said you have a NEW religion that ignores the 1600 years of Christianity prior to Luther. That is OK, the religion is based on how it is different from Catholicism. I also get the concept of Sola Scriptura. But, do not forget that the Catholic Church put the NT together for you.
Nonsense. The NT church didn't believe in the heresies of praying to the dead, the sacrifice of the mass, and many of the other issues the Catholic church does.
Quote:
In any event here is a priest explaining the issue: I hope you watch, there will be a quizz, .
Why do you say God deserves prayer? What kind of God would want that? Prayer is for us, not for God.
He deserves prayer because he's worthy of being worshiped. God demands it. It's why the books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy were written--he's very particular in the way we worship.
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