Do Catholics Believe in Ghosts?

The Catechism does not teach that the dead linger as ghosts. It teaches that death ends the time for accepting or rejecting grace, that each person is judged then, and that the outcomes it names are heaven, a purification it calls purgatory, and everlasting damnation. Catechism 2116Catechism of the Catholic Church 2111, 2113, 2115–2117 · English, Holy See2111 Superstition is the deviation of religious feeling and of the practices this feeling imposes. It can even affect the worship we offer the true God, e.g., when one attributes an importance in some way magical to certain practices otherwise lawful or necessary. To attribute the efficacy of prayers or of sacramental signs to their mere external performance, apart from the interior dispositions that they demand, is to fall into superstition. 2113 Idolatry not only refers to false pagan worship. It remains a constant temptation to faith. Idolatry consists in divinizing what is not God. Man commits idolatry whenever he honors and reveres a creature in place of God, whether this be gods or demons (for example, satanism), power, pleasure, race, ancestors, the state, money, etc. Jesus says, "You cannot serve God and mammon." Many martyrs died for not adoring "the Beast" refusing even to simulate such worship. Idolatry rejects the unique Lordship of God; it is therefore incompatible with communion with God. 2115 God can reveal the future to his prophets or to other saints. Still, a sound Christian attitude consists in putting oneself confidently into the hands of Providence for whatever concerns the future, and giving up all unhealthy curiosity about it. Improvidence, however, can constitute a lack of responsibility. 2116 All forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to "unveil" the future. Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone. 2117 All practices of magic or sorcery, by which one attempts to tame occult powers, so as to place them at one's service and have a supernatural power over others - even if this were for the sake of restoring their health - are gravely contrary to the virtue of religion. These practices are even more to be condemned when accompanied by the intention of harming someone, or when they have recourse to the intervention of demons. Wearing charms is also reprehensible. Spiritism often implies divination or magical practices; the Church for her part warns the faithful against it. Recourse to so-called traditional cures does not justify either the invocation of evil powers or the exploitation of another's credulity.Catechism of the Catholic Church 2111, 2113, 2115–2117 · English, Holy SeeOpen source (2) rejects conjuring up the dead.

Key Points

• Catechism 1021 (1) says death ends human life as the time open to accepting or rejecting the grace manifested in Christ, and that each person is rewarded immediately after death according to works and faith.
• Catechism 1022 (1) says each one receives eternal retribution in the immortal soul at the moment of death: entrance into heaven through a purification or immediately, or immediate and everlasting damnation.
• Catechism 1030 (3), quoted on Is Purgatory Biblical?, names a purification after death for those who die in God’s grace and friendship but are still imperfectly purified. Catechism 1031 (3) gives that purification the name purgatory and says it is entirely different from the punishment of the damned.
• Catechism 2116Catechism of the Catholic Church 2111, 2113, 2115–2117 · English, Holy See2111 Superstition is the deviation of religious feeling and of the practices this feeling imposes. It can even affect the worship we offer the true God, e.g., when one attributes an importance in some way magical to certain practices otherwise lawful or necessary. To attribute the efficacy of prayers or of sacramental signs to their mere external performance, apart from the interior dispositions that they demand, is to fall into superstition. 2113 Idolatry not only refers to false pagan worship. It remains a constant temptation to faith. Idolatry consists in divinizing what is not God. Man commits idolatry whenever he honors and reveres a creature in place of God, whether this be gods or demons (for example, satanism), power, pleasure, race, ancestors, the state, money, etc. Jesus says, "You cannot serve God and mammon." Many martyrs died for not adoring "the Beast" refusing even to simulate such worship. Idolatry rejects the unique Lordship of God; it is therefore incompatible with communion with God. 2115 God can reveal the future to his prophets or to other saints. Still, a sound Christian attitude consists in putting oneself confidently into the hands of Providence for whatever concerns the future, and giving up all unhealthy curiosity about it. Improvidence, however, can constitute a lack of responsibility. 2116 All forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to "unveil" the future. Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone. 2117 All practices of magic or sorcery, by which one attempts to tame occult powers, so as to place them at one's service and have a supernatural power over others - even if this were for the sake of restoring their health - are gravely contrary to the virtue of religion. These practices are even more to be condemned when accompanied by the intention of harming someone, or when they have recourse to the intervention of demons. Wearing charms is also reprehensible. Spiritism often implies divination or magical practices; the Church for her part warns the faithful against it. Recourse to so-called traditional cures does not justify either the invocation of evil powers or the exploitation of another's credulity.Catechism of the Catholic Church 2111, 2113, 2115–2117 · English, Holy SeeOpen source (2) rejects “recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead,” and other practices supposed to unveil the future, including recourse to mediums.
• Catechism 328 (4) says the existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Scripture usually calls angels is a truth of faith. Angels are not the souls of the dead. Hebrews 9:27Hebrews 9:27 · King James VersionAnd as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:Hebrews 9:27 · King James VersionOpen source (7) says it is appointed unto men once to die, and after that the judgment.

What Happens at Death

Catechism 1022 (1):

Each man receives his eternal retribution in his immortal soul at the very moment of his death, in a particular judgment that refers his life to Christ: either entrance into the blessedness of heaven-through a purification or immediately, -or immediate and everlasting damnation.

Catechism 1021 (1) points to the parable of the poor man Lazarus and to Jesus’ words to the thief on the cross as New Testament texts about a destiny of the soul that can differ from one person to another. Luke 16:22Luke 16:22 · King James VersionAnd it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;Luke 16:22 · King James VersionOpen source (6) says the beggar died and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom, and the rich man died and was buried. The parable is about those two destinations. It does not say the rich man returns to the house.

Is Purgatory Biblical? quotes Catechism 1030 and 1031 beside Westminster, which says Scripture acknowledges none besides heaven and hell. This page does not repeat that comparison. Do Catholics Believe in Cremation? is what the Church says about the body. Is the Rapture Biblical? is a different question about the last things.

Conjuring the Dead

Catechism 2116Catechism of the Catholic Church 2111, 2113, 2115–2117 · English, Holy See2111 Superstition is the deviation of religious feeling and of the practices this feeling imposes. It can even affect the worship we offer the true God, e.g., when one attributes an importance in some way magical to certain practices otherwise lawful or necessary. To attribute the efficacy of prayers or of sacramental signs to their mere external performance, apart from the interior dispositions that they demand, is to fall into superstition. 2113 Idolatry not only refers to false pagan worship. It remains a constant temptation to faith. Idolatry consists in divinizing what is not God. Man commits idolatry whenever he honors and reveres a creature in place of God, whether this be gods or demons (for example, satanism), power, pleasure, race, ancestors, the state, money, etc. Jesus says, "You cannot serve God and mammon." Many martyrs died for not adoring "the Beast" refusing even to simulate such worship. Idolatry rejects the unique Lordship of God; it is therefore incompatible with communion with God. 2115 God can reveal the future to his prophets or to other saints. Still, a sound Christian attitude consists in putting oneself confidently into the hands of Providence for whatever concerns the future, and giving up all unhealthy curiosity about it. Improvidence, however, can constitute a lack of responsibility. 2116 All forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to "unveil" the future. Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone. 2117 All practices of magic or sorcery, by which one attempts to tame occult powers, so as to place them at one's service and have a supernatural power over others - even if this were for the sake of restoring their health - are gravely contrary to the virtue of religion. These practices are even more to be condemned when accompanied by the intention of harming someone, or when they have recourse to the intervention of demons. Wearing charms is also reprehensible. Spiritism often implies divination or magical practices; the Church for her part warns the faithful against it. Recourse to so-called traditional cures does not justify either the invocation of evil powers or the exploitation of another's credulity.Catechism of the Catholic Church 2111, 2113, 2115–2117 · English, Holy SeeOpen source (2) says all forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead, or other practices falsely supposed to unveil the future. Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, omens and lots, clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums “conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers.” They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear owed to God alone.

Catechism 2117Catechism of the Catholic Church 2111, 2113, 2115–2117 · English, Holy See2111 Superstition is the deviation of religious feeling and of the practices this feeling imposes. It can even affect the worship we offer the true God, e.g., when one attributes an importance in some way magical to certain practices otherwise lawful or necessary. To attribute the efficacy of prayers or of sacramental signs to their mere external performance, apart from the interior dispositions that they demand, is to fall into superstition. 2113 Idolatry not only refers to false pagan worship. It remains a constant temptation to faith. Idolatry consists in divinizing what is not God. Man commits idolatry whenever he honors and reveres a creature in place of God, whether this be gods or demons (for example, satanism), power, pleasure, race, ancestors, the state, money, etc. Jesus says, "You cannot serve God and mammon." Many martyrs died for not adoring "the Beast" refusing even to simulate such worship. Idolatry rejects the unique Lordship of God; it is therefore incompatible with communion with God. 2115 God can reveal the future to his prophets or to other saints. Still, a sound Christian attitude consists in putting oneself confidently into the hands of Providence for whatever concerns the future, and giving up all unhealthy curiosity about it. Improvidence, however, can constitute a lack of responsibility. 2116 All forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to "unveil" the future. Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone. 2117 All practices of magic or sorcery, by which one attempts to tame occult powers, so as to place them at one's service and have a supernatural power over others - even if this were for the sake of restoring their health - are gravely contrary to the virtue of religion. These practices are even more to be condemned when accompanied by the intention of harming someone, or when they have recourse to the intervention of demons. Wearing charms is also reprehensible. Spiritism often implies divination or magical practices; the Church for her part warns the faithful against it. Recourse to so-called traditional cures does not justify either the invocation of evil powers or the exploitation of another's credulity.Catechism of the Catholic Church 2111, 2113, 2115–2117 · English, Holy SeeOpen source (2) says spiritism often implies divination or magical practices, and that the Church warns the faithful against it.

1 Samuel 28 (5) is Saul asking a woman at Endor to bring up Samuel. The chapter narrates that night. Catechism 2116 does not comment on the chapter. It does reject conjuring up the dead. Deuteronomy 18:10–11Deuteronomy 18:10 · King James VersionThere shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch.Deuteronomy 18:10 · King James VersionOpen source forbids a consulter with familiar spirits and a necromancer. The verses are about those practices. They are not a map of hauntings.

Angels Are Not Ghosts

Catechism 328 (4) says angels are spiritual, non-corporeal beings, and that Scripture and Tradition witness to them. What Is Saint Michael the Archangel Patron Saint Of? quotes the Catechism on Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and the guardian angels. Those sentences are about angels. They are not a claim that a dead person stays in a house. Do Jews Believe in Angels? is Maimonides beside the same Hebrew Scriptures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Catholic Church Believe in the Supernatural?

Catechism 328 (4) teaches angels as real spiritual creatures. Catechism 1022 (1) teaches a destiny of the soul after death. Catechism 2116Catechism of the Catholic Church 2111, 2113, 2115–2117 · English, Holy See2111 Superstition is the deviation of religious feeling and of the practices this feeling imposes. It can even affect the worship we offer the true God, e.g., when one attributes an importance in some way magical to certain practices otherwise lawful or necessary. To attribute the efficacy of prayers or of sacramental signs to their mere external performance, apart from the interior dispositions that they demand, is to fall into superstition. 2113 Idolatry not only refers to false pagan worship. It remains a constant temptation to faith. Idolatry consists in divinizing what is not God. Man commits idolatry whenever he honors and reveres a creature in place of God, whether this be gods or demons (for example, satanism), power, pleasure, race, ancestors, the state, money, etc. Jesus says, "You cannot serve God and mammon." Many martyrs died for not adoring "the Beast" refusing even to simulate such worship. Idolatry rejects the unique Lordship of God; it is therefore incompatible with communion with God. 2115 God can reveal the future to his prophets or to other saints. Still, a sound Christian attitude consists in putting oneself confidently into the hands of Providence for whatever concerns the future, and giving up all unhealthy curiosity about it. Improvidence, however, can constitute a lack of responsibility. 2116 All forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to "unveil" the future. Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone. 2117 All practices of magic or sorcery, by which one attempts to tame occult powers, so as to place them at one's service and have a supernatural power over others - even if this were for the sake of restoring their health - are gravely contrary to the virtue of religion. These practices are even more to be condemned when accompanied by the intention of harming someone, or when they have recourse to the intervention of demons. Wearing charms is also reprehensible. Spiritism often implies divination or magical practices; the Church for her part warns the faithful against it. Recourse to so-called traditional cures does not justify either the invocation of evil powers or the exploitation of another's credulity.Catechism of the Catholic Church 2111, 2113, 2115–2117 · English, Holy SeeOpen source (2) rejects divination and mediums. The supernatural in these paragraphs is God, the angels, and the judgment. It is not a license to call up the dead.

Do Catholics Believe You Go to Heaven After Death?

Catechism 1022 (1) says the particular judgment opens on heaven, through a purification or immediately, or on everlasting damnation. Heaven is one of those outcomes, for the person who enters it. Catechism 1030 (3) is the purification the Church calls purgatory, for someone who dies in God’s grace and is not yet perfectly purified. Is Purgatory Biblical? quotes the paragraph.

Do Catholics Believe in Demonic Possession?

This page quotes the Catechism on demons as a recourse that divination must reject. (2) It does not quote a rite of exorcism, and it does not describe a haunting as a demon. Catechism 328 (4) is the sentence on angels. The paragraphs fetched here do not call the souls of the dead demons.

The Churches on This Site

• Catholic
• Is Purgatory Biblical?
• Do Catholics Believe in Cremation?
• Is the Rapture Biblical?
• Common Arguments