Topic: Ghosts & Catholicism
Question:
The following question arose during a discussion at a faith study group of which I am a participant. I am hopeful you will be able to shed some light on the matter. The question: What exactly is the Church's teaching on the existence of ghosts? Firstly, do they exist? If so, what exactly are they? Disembodied souls that...??? My understanding is that they do not exist. A disembodied soul is either in Heaven, on it's way there (Purgatory) or that other place. I'm reminded of St. Paul's statement in 2 Corinthians 5 when he says that being away from the body is being at home with the Lord. Therefore, my gut feel is that it doesn't jive with Catholic theology to say that ghosts exist. I could very well be dead wrong is saying that but that is the very reason I'm sending you the question, to set me straight in my understanding of the topic.
Answer:
Your "gut feel" is quite right. According to the Council of Florence's Decree "Laetentur caeli" (6 July 1439), the souls of those who have been purified from all sin (either in this life or in Purgatory) are immediately (mox) received into heaven and enjoy the clear vision of the triune God (DS 1305), which makes them perfectly happy. As for the souls in Purgatory, the tradition of the Church affirms that they experience a "cleansing fire," which is meant to prepare them for entry into heaven (cf. CCC, par. 1031). The idea of disembodied spirits wandering about the earth--for the purpose of visiting their loved ones, of seeking worldly retribution for the injustices they suffered, etc.--is incompatible with the Christian faith, which affirms that God is the ultimate end of man, such that the faithful departed desire only to be united with him, + have no concern for earthly joys or worldly retribution.
Any paranormal phenomena which allegedly support the existence of "ghosts" should be treated with a healthly dose of scepticism by Christians (+ indeed, by any thinking person). It is not impossible that some of these incidents may be caused by evil spirits, the existence of which is affirmed by the Christian faith. Finally, it should be remembered that the Church condemns all forms of divination and spiritism (CCC, par. 2116-2117).
Father Pierre Ingram
August 21, 2001