What does the Church teach about reincarnation?

[Ethnea]

I was hoping for some clarification on the subject of reincarnation. First off, I’m not Catholic but I did attend a Jesuit high school. While I was there one of the nuns told us she believed in reincarnation. Basically she said that it made sense for us to live more lives while we were waiting for the return of Christ (or something close to that effect to be honest it’s been over 20 years). I took religion courses and part of the required classes and reincarnation was never mentioned.
Now that I’m older I do think there is something to reincarnation, however, my husband is Catholic and he is not so inclined.
So what is the Church’s official thoughts on the subject?

Thank you for your time.

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Hi,

Sister was very mis-guided. Reincarnation reduces the body to a matter of clothing. The Catholic Church teaches that we are incarnate spirits; we are fleshed out spirits. Our bodies are us. They are an intregal part of who we are. No where in Scripture is there any indication that our bodies are not really us.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.