WASHINGTON (RNS) The U.S. Catholic Bishops said Thursday (March 26) that Catholic chaplains, health care facilities and retreat centers should not promote or support Reiki therapy, a Japanese alternative healing practice.
Reiki “finds no support either in the findings of natural science or in Christian belief,” the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Doctrine said in six pages of guidelines.
“For a Catholic to believe in Reiki therapy presents insoluble problems,” said the committee, which is chaired by Bishop William Lori of Bridgeport, Conn.
Sister Mary Ann Walsh, a spokeswoman for the bishops’ conference, said that over the last 18 months a number of bishops have asked the doctrine committee to evaluate the use of Reiki and make a judgment on its suitability for Catholic institutions.
About 2 million Americans have used Reiki, according to a 2002 survey by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Practitioners believe that a salutary life energy flows through the body and fosters well-being, the center said. The energy is often transmitted through experienced Reiki practitioners who lightly touch or place their hands above the patient’s body.
But the bishops said “Reiki lacks scientific credibility” and “has not been accepted by the scientific and medical communities as an effective therapy.”
The Japanese practice differs from Christian faith healing because “the healing power is at human disposal,” the bishops said. In contrast, “for Christians the access to divine healing is by prayer to Christ as Lord and Savior.”
Moreover, practicing Reiki puts Catholics’ spiritual health in danger, the bishops said, by corrupting worship of God and turning religious devotion “in a false direction.”
“A Catholic who puts his or her trust in Reiki would be operating in the realm of superstition,” the bishops said, “the no-man’s-land that is neither faith nor science.”
By Daniel Burke
Copyright 2009 Religion News Service. All rights reserved. No part of this transmission may be distributed or reproduced without written permission.
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posted March 26, 2009 at 5:39 pm
I’m no new ager so it sounds to me like Reiki and faith healing are on the same basis; none but whatever benefit may accrue when you get a treatment you happen to believe in.
posted March 26, 2009 at 6:36 pm
“If you judge people, you have no time to love them.”
-Mother Teresa
Follow your heart. Let your heart be the guide. If some new technique is helping someone, then release your old beliefs and venture into the unknown. If the actions resonate with love, then the truth has been found.
posted March 26, 2009 at 7:39 pm
Reiki is going to put a Catholic’s “spiritual health in danger by corrupting worship of God and turning religious devotion in a false direction?” Well that would be bad, huh?! Also wouldn’t want to head in the direction of “superstitution”! Holy Cow, let’s not try anything new that just might help someone feel better.
And as for superstitution, what is much of religion made up of anyhow? The RCC has a control thing, IMO. Afraid that a person will leave the RCC because they are treated with Reiki?
posted March 26, 2009 at 9:11 pm
pagansister-
I don’t understand how you can even suggest that superstition is involved in religion…..much less the RCC.
I mean transubstantiation (the theory/belief/dogma that upon being appropriately blessed the essence of the bread and wine is replaced by the actual presence of the body and blood of Jesus Christ) certainly must have been scientifically proved.
And, the belief that Mary is the Mother of God has also undoubtedly been proved scientifically.
There certainly is no need to even bring up the Holy Trinity.
How can people even suggest that Reiki be used? What next, Buddhist meditation?
Peace!
posted March 26, 2009 at 9:28 pm
I think it is pretty silly to even question RCC dogma.
Obviously (according to the RCC) God believes that males and females are equal….however, females are not capable of leading parishes as clergy. I mean who ever has heard of a female who could comfort the downtrodden? Please do not mention Mother Teresa or any of the female saints because as we know, for whatever reason they do not count.
Females certainly can not teach. I mean have you ever had…or, even heard of a female who was a adequate teacher?
Females obviously can not be leaders. Look how poorly female senators…governors….sec’s of state, women such as Oprah….Eleanor Roosevelt…..Prime Ministers of Great Britain, etc have done.
In light of the above, I can completely understand the RCC prohibition on Reiki. Well, now that I think about it……actually I do not really understand.
Peace!
posted March 26, 2009 at 9:31 pm
JohnQ:
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posted March 26, 2009 at 10:20 pm
“The Japanese practice differs from Christian faith healing because “the healing power is at human disposal,”
In other words, they can’t control it.
“A Catholic who puts his or her trust in Reiki would be operating in the realm of superstition,” the bishops said, “the no-man’s-land that is neither faith nor science.”
Um, pot meet kettle. Such a statement doesn’t reflect well on your beliefs, either.
The belief behind Reiki is that it is a universal energy used to heal. It is not tied to any religious beliefs, it simply exists to help and heal. Dogma does neither. It is seen as a universal energy that cannot be manipulated for evil or selfish reasons.
As one who has learned Reiki and uses it to heal, I pity a religion that feels it necessary to ask God for healing. IF this God is all about love and compassion, there appears to be a problem in the communication line. Perhaps someone is trying to monopolize something.
posted March 27, 2009 at 12:06 am
Oops, everybody check your shoes – somebody stepped in the silly – stuff.
This is an example of an institution with either too much time on its hands or too little understanding of the world around them. I admire so much about many of the theologians and thinkers, the workers and doers in the RCC that this simply seems ridiculous. The obvious need for control outweighs anything else, even therapies that have benefitted people. Statements like this veer toward a type of “Christian Taliban” that will not only deny themselves of things but would attempt to deny others as well.
posted March 27, 2009 at 12:33 pm
John Q,
Superstition is “trust in magic or chance, or a false conception of causation”. In other words, because you didn’t get run over by a car while carrying that shiny stone, it must have some magic protective power, keeping you safe from speeding automobiles. That’s superstition; false conception of causation. Believing Mary is the Mother of God is no more superstition than believing Susan down the street is the mother of Tim. It has nothing to do with false conception of causation.
As to Mother Teresa and female saints, how can you say they don’t count when we venerate them. And yes, we do look to them as teachers of the faith. A teacher has a much different role than a priest, though. If I read up enough about Buddhism, I could then teach you about it, but that doesn’t mean I could act as the Dali Lama.
This really isn’t that hard to understand when you research a little. But you have to take the time to do that first..
posted March 27, 2009 at 5:32 pm
I don’t think someone understood what JohnQ said in his post.
All things come from God, even Reiki. Reiki gave the feelings of well-being back in the 70′s to our daughter, and then in the 80′s, our son, as well. The RCC shouldn’t be so afraid of something they don’t understand, because there are happenings that no one understands, even the RCC. Just accept them and go from there.
posted March 27, 2009 at 9:13 pm
Henrietta, you know the RCC isn’t going to accept Reike….it is something they can’t control!
posted March 28, 2009 at 7:25 am
For the Catholic church to all of a sudden want “scientific credibility” in order to accept the concept of Reiki is astounding to me. Since when is the Church all of a sudden seeking “sceintific credibility” to espouse their point of view?
As a Reiki practitioner I believe that the universal energy that flows through the body and heals is from where all healing comes from and that is God.
I sense that the Catholic Church is once again afraid of that which it cannot control. What a shame if people allow this point of view to keep them from experiencing the gift of Reiki.
posted March 28, 2009 at 7:32 am
Since when does the Catholic church seek out or require or need “scientific credibility” to accept a theory and practice?
As a Reiki practitioner I believe that the universal healing energy of Reiki comes from where all healing comes from and that is God.
What a shame it would be if the instituional church were successful in keeping people to experience the peace and healing of Reiki!
posted March 28, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Well, the easiest thing to say is, the church can’t control it so it can’t be the real thing.
Let’s face a fact or two here, and if my words upset you, it’s because the truth hurts, and if you can’t face it…..
Jesus (the historical version) was nothing more than a flesh and blood man. If (big if) he was indeed the embodiment of “god”, then apparently that god didn’t really care all too much for his physical manifestation, otherwise he wouldn’t have let the body suffer and perish on the cross. Unfortunately for Jesus, his fellow countrymen decided to hand him over as that sacrificial lamb they hold so sacred, thereby letting him know how unimportant he is/was to their race/religion.
He learned a whole bunch of amazing healing techniques, all of which are available to ALL AND ANY HUMAN BEINGS. There is nothing magickal about Reiki. It’s something that each and every human being on this planet is capable of. If you can profect body heat and compassion, you can do Reiki.
Hey, imagine this…. even the RC Bishops can do it… unless of course they’re too busy absolving each others’ sins…
posted March 29, 2009 at 8:20 am
I commented more fully in a post connected to the heading where a “…reiki practitioner vs. catholic bishops…” But in short – Reiki is spiritual but not religious/denominational. Mikao Usui (founder of Reiki), experienced a phenomenon that in description, is completely in accord with the description of the pentecost experience of the gift of the Holy Spirit. I would ask the Bishops to provide the “research” that was done that led them to their conclusions. And lastly, what makes them think that “healing by asking within prayer” is any more scientifically credible than Reiki? Where are the double-blind studies on their healings? There have been some done on Reiki – try visiting http://www.australianreikiconnection.com.au for info., and http://www.christianreiki.org for a Christian perspective. (By the way, I am a committed Christian in Australia, and Reiki was brought here by a Christian Minister – Rev. Beth Gray)
posted March 29, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Reiki is a healing modality, it is not a ‘church’ or ‘dogma’.It is one way to be in sacred space with another human being to empower that person for their highest good.
As a Catholic, I use Reiki for my own spirituality and the empowerment of healing of another persons’health. That is the health of mind,body,spirit and soul.I,as a practitioner,do not ‘do’ the work. I am just present in unconditional Love.
The practice of Reiki or any healing work, is to help a human being be the best they can be. It has helped to explain and deepen my personal faith.
By the way there is scientific research if needed by anyone.Look up Reiki research and go to the INH.
posted March 30, 2009 at 5:33 am
As a Catholic and Karuna Reiki Master/Teacher, I find this appalling. Once again the “church” knows not what it speaks. I’ve not seen such ignorance. Seems we are having the inquisition all over again. I have found the Catholic church to be outdated and completely out of touch with modern times and, furthermore, it’s keeping the ‘so called’ devoted catholics in the dark about the truth but, what else is new ?
I am a reformed catholic who no longer subscribes to the antiquated views of Rome. Once again, they have shown me why I no longer follow the Pope but follow the spiritual ways of Jesus.
Perhaps these Bishops ought to have a Reiki treatment before shooting off their mouths !
posted March 31, 2009 at 11:45 pm
You have got to be kidding! What century are we in…are we going backwards? Reiki “lacks scientific credibility” ?
Obviously, the Catholic church is still all about control & exclusivity. The reality is, Jesus Christ was a man who achieved mastership through enlightenment & then was able to do his healing & “miracles.” He then taught that everyone else could do exactly as he did to access divine healing energy….without any priest or middle man. All healing comes from the same source & is accessible to everyone. But of course the message of these truths was taken out of the bible to take the power away from us as individuals, & let the church leaders claim an exclusive pipeline to the Source.
Thankfully, the majority of individuals are waking up & no longer willing to be “sheeple.” And too, lets just say, the priests & bishops haven’t exactly been shining examples of purity of late.
posted April 1, 2009 at 8:09 pm
I received this e-mail today – April Fool’s Day. Is someone trying to fool me?
I have been practicing Reiki since 1988 with unusual results. I find it a spiritual experience for myself and my clients. I’d like to refer to Jesus words in the Scripture: Mark 5:25-34. “Power had gone out from him”
posted April 1, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Will you please stop shifting deck chairs on the Titanic?! Deal with some real issues! Vincent DiPasquale
posted April 2, 2009 at 8:50 pm
Reiki is silent. Prayer is silent. Words are noisy.
posted April 4, 2009 at 7:59 am
hmmmm…this is very worrisome to me…there are many doctors who do not believe in God, nor do they pray before seeing thier patients, nor do they think any other “spirit” has guided thier hands…someone needs to find thier “freedom in Christ” and breathe!
posted April 5, 2009 at 3:13 pm
WOW! Here we go again…so does this mean that holistic healing, positive thoughts and herbal rememdies are no longer welcome by the Catholic Church. As I recall from what I was taught in my 9 years of Catholic school that Christ is everywhere and within each one of us. So sharing a universal energy to heal our brother is just that, a universal energy to be shared. So the Catholic Church says practicing Reiki puts Catholics’ spiritual health in danger, the bishops said, by corrupting worship of God and turning religious devotion “in a false direction.” The only corruption that I have seen is the brainwashing the Catholic Church continues to pour out on Society. I am part of a very large group of people that have experienced atrocities by the church and their clergy. They might want to rethink where they focus their energies. We are all made in the image and likeness of God – so lets all practice as such and work for world peace and love our neighbors as ourselves in whatever modality works for us. I believe in Reiki and the positive thoughts of healing energy that this and other practices bring to each one us.
posted May 30, 2009 at 11:04 am
wow!!!!bishops?they know about jesus or god??? well lets believe on that…lol
wake up and sugest you to read a book called bible and you will find something like, PUT YOUR EYES ON THE HEALERS WHO HEAL IN NAME OF GOD…and when jesus sayANIONE WHO WISH FROM INSIDE THEYR HEART CAN DO SAME WORK AS ME OF BETTER…well i sugest dear bishops to have a healing session ,it is sooooooo goooooood and you will love it,also to that people who dont believe it.
by the way!!! who create the religions?god? dont think so…i think by the MAN to have the control …wake up,the time is coming ,dont loose the train..by the way theres a space to more people…lol