(ZENIT News / Madrid, 11.26.2024).- In a firm move to safeguard theological integrity, the Spanish Episcopal Conference’s Commission for the Doctrine of the Faith has issued a doctrinal note critically examining the contentious practice of «intergenerational healing» or «healing the family tree.» This document, titled “His Mercy Extends from Generation to Generation” (Luke 1:50), emerged from pastoral concerns regarding the growing prevalence of this practice among certain Catholic circles, particularly charismatic movements.
A Tradition in Question
The note underscores that intergenerational healing, despite its growing popularity among some faithful, lacks grounding in Catholic doctrine. It links the practice to a controversial belief that sins or spiritual burdens can be inherited through ancestral lines, causing physical, psychological, or spiritual ailments. Advocates often propose that such «curses» can be broken through specific prayers, Eucharistic celebrations, or exorcisms focused on one’s ancestors. However, the bishops argue that these claims contradict core Catholic teachings on sin, grace, and the sacraments.
Theological Concerns and Pastoral Risks
This practice, rooted in the writings of figures such as Kenneth McAll and popularized within charismatic circles, has been deemed incompatible with Church tradition. The bishops highlight several theological missteps, including:
- Sin and Responsibility: The Catholic understanding is clear: sin is personal and cannot be transferred across generations, apart from the inherited state of original sin, which baptism absolves entirely.
- Distorted Sacramental Theology: Proponents often misuse the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, for purposes outside their intended liturgical and theological framework.
- Undermining Individual Freedom: Attributing present afflictions to ancestral sin risks negating personal accountability and reducing complex psychological and spiritual issues to simplistic causal links.
A Broader Ecclesial Context
The Spanish bishops are not alone in their critique. Episcopal conferences in France, Poland, and South Korea have issued similar warnings, each cautioning against the theological and psychological dangers of such practices. These interventions universally emphasize that salvation and healing are gifts freely given by God through Christ’s redemptive sacrifice, not contingent on addressing ancestral faults.
A Call for Clarity
The note from the Spanish bishops aims to provide clarity and guidance for both clergy and laity, urging them to avoid practices that, while well-meaning, can lead to confusion and spiritual harm. Instead, it calls on the faithful to trust in the Church’s authentic teaching on the sacraments and to seek healing within the context of established pastoral care.
At its heart, the document reaffirms the Catholic vision of God’s mercy and justice: “No one bears the guilt of another’s sin,” it states, quoting Scripture, “for it is the one who sins who shall die” (Ezekiel 18:20). The bishops conclude with an invitation to deepen faith in the transformative power of Christ, whose grace is “poured out in abundance” for every generation.
This decisive stance signals a renewed commitment by the Spanish Church to defend doctrinal purity while addressing the spiritual needs of the faithful with compassion and wisdom.
Thank you for reading our content. If you would like to receive ZENIT’s daily e-mail news, you can subscribe for free through this link.
