Bishop Thomas John Paprocki | Diocese of Springfield

The practice of seeking guidance from mediums, psychics, or fortune tellers is a longstanding one, but it is viewed negatively by the Catholic Church, which advises against all forms of divination. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 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."

Father Marty Smith, a pastor serving multiple parishes in Illinois, emphasizes the Church's position that involvement in occult practices violates the First Commandment, "placing one’s faith not in God and what He teaches but rather trying to seek hidden information or power from sources apart from God."

Smith also notes that individuals might seek out mediums during times of grief or trauma, attempting to ease emotional difficulties or communicate with deceased loved ones. He advises that instead of resorting to such measures, people should speak to a priest or counselor and remember the teachings of Jesus Christ.

For those Catholics who have participated in occult practices, Smith recommends going to confession as a first step and talking to a priest for guidance on ending such practices and strengthening their faith.