Question from Carlos Loyola on 2/28/2008:
My Bride has been suffering with depression for some time and recently her siritual director has suggested that she try theophostic prayer ministry.as the man God made to love her I must decern if this is good for her. what is the church's position if any on this ministry,does it follow our faith and in accord with the teaching of the Magisterium.
Answer by David Gregson on 4/23/2008:
I would steer clear of theophostic prayer. Although it has a Christian veneer, it seems to be a mixture of Christian doctrine and New Age psychology. Even apart from a New Age influence, the claim to replace "lies" with "truth," leaves open the question of how to recognize "truth" as true. What a TPM facilitator regards as truth will be shaped by his own theology, which is evidently Protestant at best. Wouldn't your wife do better to find a Catholic psychologist? Perhaps a call to your diocese would help her locate one.
"Theophostic Prayer Ministry" is Scientology in disguise.
ReplyDeleteA "TPM facilitator" (Scientology Auditor) leads the seeker (Preclear) through a "session" (same term as in Scientology Auditing) of "guided imagery" and "directed visualization" ("Dianetic reverie", "mockups" and "mental image pictures") towards "mind renewal experience" ("Clear") by dealing with past buried memories that may still be bringing you down today ("Engrams").
They claim that they seek to bring you to self-responisibility (Hubbard's "Self determinism") even as they keep you addicted to more and more "TPM Sessions".
They call each person's session a "case" (just like Scientology) and offer "training", "courses" and "seminars" (just like Scientology) in TPM Facilitating, which is simply Auditing without the E-meter.
Have any of you read Dr. Smith's (for lack of a better word, the "founder" of theophostic) writings or seen his training videos for Theophostic Prayer Ministry (TPM)? If not, then you really should.
ReplyDeleteI am a faithful Catholic. Not a typical, Catholic in name only cafeteria Catholic, a magisterium-following Catholic.
I know the lies of the New Age, I know how subtle they can be. And when I first "heard about" (HEARD ABOUT - before I went to the source) I thought, "Hmmm. I don't know..."
After going to the source, I realize TPM is NOT New Age. When I heard Dr. Smith speak my first impression was "Wow. Does this guy know how Catholic he sounds?"
Fr. David Tickerhoof, TOR has written a wonderful book entitled"The CAtholic's Guide to Theophostic Prayer Ministry".
Many people have been truly healed by Jesus via TPM.
God uses many ways to heal. GOD, not man. TPM isn't a cure-all or the answer to every problem, but it works and when properly managed does nothing contrary to the Catechism.
It is a very powerful way for people to let Jesus in to heal them.
Don't condemn it without getting your facts first. To do so would be no different than what the Protestants do when they accuse us of worshiping Mary.
If they'd bother to read the source document (i.e., the Catechism) they'd see the truth.
Read Dr. Smith's writings. Read the book by Fr. Tickerhoof. Pray, discern.
Don't judge out of hand.
Peace and Christ's blessings to you.
CLM
Has anyone ever heard of psychological healing through the sacraments or is that narrow and archaic thinking? The reason that this originated in the Protestant world is because they do not possess Jesus in His body blood soul and divinity present right in front of us.Maybe the need for theophostic prayer is a symptom of Lack of belief in the true Presence. Jesus heals us slowly in His way through our sacramental life. It is important not to confuse consolation with authentic healing. Beware of anything that is quick and somehow a new revelation.It's also intere
ReplyDeletesting that the proponents of this therapy seem to always be charismatic (this is true in my own experience as well.Too much focus on the humanistic methods of healing which always point to the practitioner can lead to pride and confusion and that is the entryway for the devil. God bless
PK