Glossary
[SAMPLE] Placeholder text. The introduction to the glossary will go here: less common terms, such as the Latin formulas with which the Church qualifies a phenomenon, are explained here and, in the entries, where they first occur.
- acheropita
- From the Greek, "not made by human hands": said of a sacred image that tradition holds was not painted by an artist.
- curatur
- Latin for "it is looked after": the phenomenon has critical elements but is widespread and bears spiritual fruits; it is neither prohibited nor encouraged.
- declaratio de non supernaturalitate
- Latin for "declaration of non-supernaturality": the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith declares that the phenomenon is not supernatural.
- nihil obstat
- Latin for "nothing stands in the way": there is no objection. In the 2024 Norms it means the bishop may authorize worship, without declaring the supernatural authenticity of the phenomenon.
- prae oculis habeatur
- Latin for "let it be kept in view". It indicates positive signs together with elements of confusion or risk to be discerned.
- prohibetur et obstruatur
- Latin for "let it be prohibited and obstructed": it indicates serious problems, so adherence to the phenomenon is not permitted.
- sub mandato
- Latin for "under mandate": pastoral oversight is entrusted to the bishop or to a delegate of the Holy See, because the issues concern persons or groups.