"Folk" Catholicism

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new_atheist

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Happy New Year to everyone.
I wanted to ask about the Church’s stand on Folk Catholicism. I’ve witnessed such displays of this activity especially during the Lenten season in the Philippines. There were penitents nailed to crosses and flagellants hitting their backs with flail sticks and all seemed to be in a certain type of trance (oblivious to the pain). There were mystics who recite prayers in order to make amulets and talismans. Some so-called prophets were allegedly possessed by saints and give out prophetic statements. Psychic surgeons would remove tumours and faith healers would drive away demons. In one instance, a statue of the child Jesus seemed to dance on the palms of a folk priest in front of a live audience. Are this activities compatible with the teachings of the Church?
 
No, these practices (except the first one) are witchcraft and sorcery and are to be condemned.
 
I’m pretty sure that hitting oneself with a flail-stick is OK, but all the other stuff is occult and is condemned in Catholicism.
 
The witchcraft practices come from mixing local culture with Catholic missionary teachings a long time ago. Same with voodoo—believe it or not it has twisted Catholic teachings. Not that I’m endorsing it.
 
new_atheist said:
Happy New Year to everyone.
I wanted to ask about the Church’s stand on Folk Catholicism. I’ve witnessed such displays of this activity especially during the Lenten season in the Philippines. There were penitents nailed to crosses and flagellants hitting their backs with flail sticks and all seemed to be in a certain type of trance (oblivious to the pain). There were mystics who recite prayers in order to make amulets and talismans. Some so-called prophets were allegedly possessed by saints and give out prophetic statements. Psychic surgeons would remove tumours and faith healers would drive away demons. In one instance, a statue of the child Jesus seemed to dance on the palms of a folk priest in front of a live audience. Are this activities compatible with the teachings of the Church?
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The practice of these particular flagellants are not approved by Holy Mother Church.
 
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