Vatican sharpens rules on investigating supernatural

New Vatican Document , Urges Caution Over , Supernatural Events. Reuters reports that the Vatican has issued new guidelines regarding supernatural events, including weeping Madonnas and crucifixes dripping blood. . The new guidelines replace rules first put in place back in 1978. . According to the Vatican's doctrinal office (DFF), supernatural incidents should be assessed cautiously, as they could be fraudulent or exploited for financial gain. According to the Vatican's doctrinal office (DFF), supernatural incidents should be assessed cautiously, as they could be fraudulent or exploited for financial gain. The discernment may also deal with problems, such as delicts (wrongdoing), manipulation, damage to the unity of the Church, undue financial gain, and serious doctrinal errors that could cause scandals and undermine the credibility of the Church, Vatican DDF document, via Reuters. Supernatural incidents have often become the basis for Catholic shrines and pilgrimages. . These incidents include "stigmata," which are crucifixion wounds appearing on the hands and feet of Jesus appearing on saintly people or statues. Reuters reports that the DDF document suggests that in such cases bishops should issue a "nihil obstat.". Nihil obstat essentially allows for worship, while leaving the issue open for the Vatican to determine if it is "supernatural" in nature. . The document stresses that the purported supernatural events at the heart of many places of pilgrimage have not been authenticated by the Vatican. An example of this would be the Bosnian shrine of Medjugorje, where multiple apparitions of the Virgin Mary have been reported since 1981. . An example of this would be the Bosnian shrine of Medjugorje, where multiple apparitions of the Virgin Mary have been reported since 1981.