American folk healing

[Michael16]

No. I’ll be going to school for that and getting my license.

 

[edwest]

Thank you. That was good to know.

 

[Francis]

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/p...s/rc_pc_interelg_doc_20030203_new-age_en.html

New age its Forbidden
2.2.3. Health: Golden living
Formal (allopathic) medicine today tends to limit itself to curing particular, isolated ailments, and fails to look at the broader picture of a person’s health: this has given rise to a fair amount of understandable dissatisfaction. Alternative therapies have gained enormously in popularity because they claim to look at the whole person and are about healing rather than curing. Holistic health, as it is known, concentrates on the important role that the mind plays in physical healing. The connection between the spiritual and the physical aspects of the person is said to be in the immune system or the Indian chakra system. In a New Age perspective, illness and suffering come from working against nature; when one is in tune with nature, one can expect a much healthier life, and even material prosperity; for some New Age healers, there should actually be no need for us to die. Developing our human potential will put us in touch with our inner divinity, and with those parts of our selves which have been alienated and suppressed. This is revealed above all in Altered States of Consciousness (ASCs), which are induced either by drugs or by various mind-expanding techniques, particularly in the context of “transpersonal psychology”. The shaman is often seen as the specialist of altered states of consciousness, one who is able to mediate between the transpersonal realms of spirits and gods and the world of humans.

 

[TheLittleLady]

She needs to see a valid Catholic priest.

Think of it this way, you would not attempt to remove her appendix as you are not a surgeon. The same thing applies for attempting a spiritual process for which you have neither training nor authority.

 

[Michael16]

I already did suggest to her to see the priest at her local parish and she agreed to it. I know I’m not an actual exorcist; but as a prayer warrior, I do what I can and pass her along to professionals.

 

[Shakuhachi]

Holistic health, as it is known, concentrates on the important role that the mind plays in physical healing.

Yes, so is the document also condemning Holistic care?

 

[Michael16]

I don’t think it’s condemning holistic care, per se; but the New Age approach to holistic care. If you look at Jesus’s healings in the Bible, what He required is faith and He forgave sins. Sins can be seen as spiritual wounds that need to be addressed before physical healing can take place. If you think about it; Jesus was a holistic healer: Healing soul and body together.

In my practice of healing prayer, I ask the subject if he/she believes in Jesus’ power to heal and I’ll, from now on; ask Jesus to forgive us before i do the healing prayer itself.

 

[guanophore]

My calling is to be a mental health therapist and… a folk healer.

Depending upon where you practice, you should be very cautious (to the point of avoidance) of using the description “mental health therapist”. This is a regulated profession, and requires professional licensure or certification in all States.

As a folk healer, I’d be offering help in spiritual healing and bodily healing through herbs, massage, vitamins and praying over the sick.

This role is fundamentally contradictory to a role as a professional “mental health therapist”.
According to Catholic teaching, there is nothing intrinsically wrong with any of these activities.

I’d also offer help as a deliverance ministry and paranormal investigations,

This is potentially not only spiritually dangerous, but involving yourself with evil influences that may extend beyond the purview of a layperson.

House blessings and House cleansings.

Lay persons can bless houses, but I am not sure what you mean by “cleansing”. If it extends into the role of an exorcist, it would be out of order.

In fact: part of my services would be to combat magic and demonic activity.

I am curious how this would take place, on a practical level.

Anything I can’t handle as a layman, I’ll refer the client to a priest or a doctor.

And how will you go about determining that?

As a practicing Catholic, I’m hoping this would be an acceptable path. I was wondering what you all thought about this.

Anyone who has this kind of ministry to the faithful should be under spiritual direction themselves. If you are not already, then you should begin as soon as possible.

 

[Michael16]

All of these are good points, guanophore. But, I’m going to study to be a licensed therapist; not an uneducated layman dispensing what he thinks is good advice. As for the folk healing: I’m leaving that behind to offer my services, once I’m licensed; to my diocese to help in exorcism cases. Being under a spiritual director is a good idea.

Beyond that, while I’m studying; I offer to pray over people that either ask it of me, or I offer to. Basically, I’ll be a prayer warrior. I did talk with my priest and he gave me his blessing.

My basic model is my patron saint, Saint Michael the Archangel.

 

[guanophore]

I’m planning on talking with my parish priest about this and asking for his blessing.

You will need more than his blessing. You will need regular spiritual direction.

The way I see it is: If I’m doing God’s Will, then He’ll cover me

Spiritually, of course, but your faith in God will have no influence on someone who decides to sue you. We live in a very litigious society. You can easily be sued even if you are doing everything right. This is one reason it is important not to combine these activities with anything that might be understood as the professional role of a “mental health therapist”.

Maybe I should centermy practice on healing prayers?

If you do, then you should not call it a “practice”. It should be called a ministry. Anything called a “service” or a "practice’ will place one in a position for a lawsuit.

Sit down and speak with your Bishop or the Vicar for Clergy in your Diocese.

And no one should have a “ministry” without the support of the diocese in which he lives and provides.

It is the same for “mental health therapists”.

the Catholic Church in the Philippines has come out firmly opposed to albularyos and faith healers.

Why is that? I am only halfway thru the thread, so if you already answered this I will get there!

My basic intention is to live out what I believe what God calls me to do: To be a spiritual warrior/healer.

Have you considered affiliating with a local Catholic Charismatic group that can nurture a gift of healing?

If you hurt somebody you might get sued.

One can get sued even if they are not at fault. Anyone can be sued for anything. The suit may not be granted, but one is still tied up in court, financially and vocationally, sometimes for years.

 

[BlueMaxx]

I do not think you have a realistic understanding of how the Catholic Church goes about handling an exorcism…

 

[Michael16]

How so, Blue?

 

[cmscms]

I really think the only acceptable path when it comes to mental health and healing issues is to get credentials that are recognized by the church. I have trouble believing this is a genuine calling and not just a desire to do goof

 

[BlueMaxx]

de exorcismis et supplicationibus quibusdam

https://web.mit.edu/dvp/fysm/vatican/exorcism.pdf

http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-wor...ramentals/sacramentals-blessings/exorcism.cfm

 

[guanophore]

I’m going to study to be a licensed therapist;

That is all well and good, but under no circumstances should you try to combine the two. They are very different roles, with different obligations, ethical requirements, training and credentialing.

not an uneducated layman dispensing what he thinks is good advice

There is nothing wrong with this. There are many people trained in mental health therapy that choose to do this instead of providing licensed professional services.

As for the folk healing: I’m leaving that behind to offer my services, once I’m licensed; to my diocese to help in exorcism cases.

You would be wise not to offer any "folk healing that involves “exorcism” in the diocese unless and until you are commissioned to do so by the Bishop. This is not likely to happen since it is delegated to the ordained.

I offer to pray over people that either ask it of me, or I offer to. Basically, I’ll be a prayer warrior.

This is always beneficial.

That brings me to my first case in my Practice.

This is language that is used by professional counselors. In every part of the United States you must hold a license to have “cases” and “my Practice”. If you do not, you can be charged with practicing without a license if you do, then this activity is considered outside the scope
of practice, and you can be charged with other violations.

. It is almost universally recognized that the Catholic Church is the experts on demonology, no matter one’s faith.

I think the recognition is of God given authority. Whatever issues people have with the CC, there is an intuitive understanding that the authority resides within.

I’m limiting my Practice to praying over people

If you refer to it as a “practice” you will set yourself up with legal liabilities you may come to regret.

In my practice of healing prayer,

This is a dangerous choice of words. Either you are a licensed professional with a practice, or a praying healer with a ministry.

 

[BlueMaxx]

You would be wise not to offer any "folk healing that involves “exorcism” in the diocese unless and until you are commissioned to do so by the Bishop. This is not likely to happen since it is delegated to the ordained.

This…

 

[Michael16]

Ugh. I’m not offering folk healing. Just deliverance and healing prayers. I understand that proper exorcisms are only done by priests authorized by the bishop.

As for terminology: I’ll use ministry for my healing/deliverance work

 

[tweedlealice]

Blessings
The posts are written. Cautions discussed. You’ve spoken to a priest & have his covering. The Lotd is w you, go forward & preach the Gospel & share your gift.

 

[TheLittleLady]

Please, speak to the Bishop’s office. You are toying with things that are only delegated by the Bishop

 

[Joe_5859]

I’m going to study to be a licensed therapist;

I did talk with my priest and he gave me his blessing.

I think it’s great that you have a desire to help people who are in spiritual and/or psychological distress. We definitely need good Catholic therapists!

I think a lot will be made more clear to you as you study. I would encourage you to continue to pursue these studies, continue to keep in regular contact with your priest about these matters, and don’t get too far ahead of yourself by offering services you are not yet qualified to give.

If you do that, I think you’ll be in good shape.

Have you already decided on where you would like to study? There are some good places I could recommend.