______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Public revelation — the Bible — refers to God’s direct revelation to mankind.  The Bible knows no time or place borders and climaxes with the Passion and Resurrection of Christ.  Private revelation comprises all visions and revelations after the New Testament, like the message of Fatima, to nurture spirituality in difficult periods.

Private revelations require faith that God communicates with words through agents of the community of Faith.  Vatican approval of a private revelation requires three elements: it is absolutely consistent with faith or morals, lawful for publication, and the faithful may accept the revelation with prudence. The message can help in understanding and living the Gospel in a critical period, but the faithful is not obliged to follow the revelation.

The Apostle Paul said, “Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22)   The Church has received the charism of Prophecy, which must be scrutinized but not scorned. Prophecy explains the will of God for the present and the right path for the future.  A prophecy is a warning or a consolation which helps us to understand and respond to The Signs of the End.

Psychological theology entails three forms: exterior, interior and spiritual perception. An exterior perception is not a normal external perception of the senses but has the force of a physical presence for the visionaries. The vision of hell by the little shepherds of Fatima is an example.  An interior perception leads a person to a deeper dimension of reality visible to the soul. A spiritual perception involves the Holy Spirit’s guidance and is the ability to see God’s plan for our lives and for Christ’s Church.

______________________________________________________________