Recognition statuses
[SAMPLE] Placeholder text. The introduction will go here: every case carries a status, which says how the competent authority has regarded it. Below, the statuses grouped by their effect on the site and the types of recognition.
Recognized
They appear in all sections, in the atlas and on the home page.
Recognized
The Church has recognized the event as authentic and supernatural, through a formal ruling of the competent authority.
Nihil obstat · Recognized
The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has no objection. The bishop may authorize worship and pastoral initiatives, but this does not declare the supernatural authenticity of the phenomenon.
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.
Approved veneration
The Church permits and promotes the veneration of a sign or object of devotion, without ruling on its authenticity.
Doubtful cases
Only in Disputed cases, in tags, in search and, on request, in the atlas.
Prae oculis habeatur · Doubtful case
Positive signs are recognized, but also elements of confusion or risk that call for careful discernment. The phenomenon is to be kept in view without a definitive judgment.
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.
Curatur · Doubtful case
There are critical elements, but the phenomenon is widespread and bears spiritual fruits. It is neither prohibited nor encouraged.
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.
Sub mandato · Doubtful case
The issues concern not the phenomenon itself but persons or groups connected with it. Pastoral oversight is entrusted to the bishop or to a delegate of the Holy See.
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.
Prohibetur et obstruatur · Doubtful case
Serious problems and risks for the faithful have been found. Adherence to the phenomenon is not permitted.
prohibetur et obstruatur: Latin for "let it be prohibited and obstructed": it indicates serious problems, so adherence to the phenomenon is not permitted.
Under review
The event is under investigation or discernment and no judgment has yet been issued.
Unconfirmed
The event has received neither official confirmation nor refutation: the available sources are not enough to establish its nature.
False cases
Only in Disputed cases, in tags, in search and, on request, in the atlas.
Not supernatural
The event is real, but investigation has explained its origin by natural causes.
Declaratio de non supernaturalitate · False
A declaration, approved by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, that the phenomenon is not supernatural.
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.
False
The event has been found to be invented, forged or the product of deception.
Types of recognition
Formal approval
An act by which the competent ecclesiastical authority formally approves the event or the worship arising from it.
Worship permitted
The Church permits the worship or devotion connected with the event, without ruling on its supernatural origin.
Episcopal declaration
A declaration by the competent diocesan bishop on the event.
De facto recognition
Recognition arising from Church practice, for example approved worship or inclusion in liturgical books, without a specific decree.
Decree of beatification
A decree by which the Holy See declares a person blessed and recognizes a miracle attributed to their intercession.
Decree of canonization
A decree by which the Holy See declares a person a saint and recognizes a miracle attributed to their intercession.