Questo articolo è disponibile anche in: Italian English

Good evening, Father Angelo,

reading the subject of my email you might have thought: did he take me for a doctor? … I am a priest! And rather, I would really need your opinion both as a priest and theologian about alternative medicines.

Let me explain: a few years ago, TV2000 aired some episodes called “vade retro” talking about the many diabolical traps. I was very impressed by the episode which dealt with alternative medicine, when a priest stated it is potentially very dangerous turning to people who practice alternative medicine based on oriental ideologies, such as shiatsu, yoga and acupuncture, because they expose us to spiritual risks, potentially leading to serious problems such as possession.

That just left me very perplexed at the time because I thought: but so, in Japan and China where they practice these healing methods a lot, almost all people should be possessed!

In short, I did not believe much in what was being said, but that left me disturbed somehow.

Now, my grandmother has severe pain in her legs and we have toured several physiatrists and orthopedists to no avail … someone advised us to contact an Indian man who practices holistic massages or a lady who practices  acupuncture, because it seems that many have great benefits with modest costs and without the serious side effects of the anti-inflammatories which are prescribed by the physicians we  consulted!

But, remembering that broadcast, I am stuck and, before proceeding, I would like to know your opinion: is it really dangerous to turn to people who practice alternative medicine based on oriental ideologies that have nothing to do with Christianity?

If the answer is affirmative: because I read that what brings the devil into our life is sin, does one commit a sin when he turns to a holistic or shiatsu masseur without minimally believing in their philosophical-religious doctrines?

For example, I read on the internet that acupuncture really works, but not because of their supposed alleged energy channels in our body, but because the needle prick forces the brain to produce certain substances that soothe pain … so I could approach that by remaining absolutely skeptical about the ideology, that is, it is possible to resort to them without approving their beliefs! In this case, however, does one commit a sin?

Yours sincerely

Dear friend,

1. Only today I have reached yours dated August 4th, 2018.

I am very confused in answering you so late even for your undoubted urgency. I beg your pardon.

2. On the topic you asked me about, there is a document of the [Italian] National Office for the Pastoral Health Care (Le istituzioni sanitarie cattoliche [Catholic health institutions], n. 10, 7 July 2000) where the term “unconventional cares” all-encompasses and indicates all those medical practices without foundation on the findings of anatomy, physiology, pathology and therapy typical of Western medicine.

It is a very heterogeneous group of therapeutic practices, more or less widespread, more or less known: herbalism, acupuncture, homeopathy, reflex-therapy, iridology, pranotherapy, reiki, shiatsu, etc. “.

3. Speaking of them as a “heterogeneous” group, clearly those practices are not all of the same kind and therefore distinctions are necessary.

4. Furthermore, the document warns of the danger of neglecting a safer way, which is to follow the scientific criteria.

In fact, it is said that [tr.] ”without entering into the merits of their possible efficacy, it is first necessary to point out the possibility of any damage to the patient who undergoes them because of quitting a more traditional but proven therapy”.

5. However, writing “without entering into the merits of their possible efficacy” does not deny that some of these alternative cares may have some efficacy.

6. At the same time, it warns about another and more severe danger concerning the fact that some of them may get you involved with oriental philosophies which are “hardly compatible with the Catholic faith and sometimes they are even accompanied by occult practices”.

Cautiously however, the documentary does assume that “one size does not fit all” but  says that “some of them” are “hardly compatible with the Catholic faith” and “sometimes they are even accompanied by occult practices”.

7. Generally, those who access acupuncture do not think at all of Eastern philosophies or let themselves be involved in them.

If that is the case also for the“so-called unconventional cares” there is no moral problem.

8. However some other practices must be aprioristically disregarded precisely because they can be accompanied by occult practices, such as those that would attract spiritual energies from the outside ….

I wish you every good and I bless you.

Father Angelo