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St. Joseph Catholic Church

1875 S C R 700 W
North Vernon, IN 47265

Rev. Jonathan P. Meyer, Administrator

Office Hours:

Monday Office closed
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 8:30 AM till 12:30 PM

St. Joseph Rectory Phone: 812-346-4783
Fax: 812-352-9033

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What does the Catholic Church have to say about ghosts?

The ghosts that inhabit possessed homes, haunted houses, graveyards, or any other place may indeed be real “entities” and not always the figment of imagination. However, the popular idea that they are the spirits of human souls who have died and are trapped here for some reason is not possible. They are much more likely to be demons disguising themselves as the “ghost” or spirit of a human being for the purpose of leading people away from the true faith. 2 Corinthians 11:14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. In fact, the Church believes that spirits, do exist. There is the visible physical realm all around us but also unseen there is a spiritual realm. 2 Corinthians 4:18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal Ephesians 6:11-12 Put you on the armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the deceits of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and power, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places. So, yes the Catholic Church absolutely does believe in a spiritual realm. This realm is inhabited by Angels and Demons, Our God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And the souls of those who have died are also part of this spiritual realm but not allowed to contact living humans without the express permission of God. Luke 16:22-30 The rich man also died and was buried, and his soul went to the place of the dead…. “Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’ “But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’ “The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’ “But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t listen even if someone rises from the dead.’” The souls of those who have gone before us would only be allowed to contact us by the will of God, not by their own will. At the transfiguration Moses and Elijah were seen next to our Lord by Peter, James and John as he was lifted up before them (Matt 17:1-9). However, we should not look for this or expect this to be normative. Conjuring up spirits or asking to speak to the deceased is not a realm that any Roman Catholic should be involved with. Even in the Old Testament Saul was rebuked by God for doing such things (1 Sam 28:8). The Spiritual realm is there to assist us to heaven!