What Does the Church Say About Near-Death Experiences? (Special Podcast Highlight)

So, Patrick dives into a question from Bonnie, who’s curious about those intriguing near-death experiences where people claim they've seen heaven or even Jesus himself.  The big question she asks: What does the Catholic Church think about these experiences?

 

Patrick starts by acknowledging that, throughout history, there have been countless reports of near-death experiences (NDEs). People often describe floating above their bodies, seeing a bright light, or even meeting Jesus. While these stories are fascinating, Patrick reminds us that the Church approaches them with cautious curiosity.

 

He breaks down the possibilities into three "buckets":

 

Imagination at Work: Patrick notes that our brains are powerful and can create vivid experiences, especially when we’re unconscious or close to death. Some NDEs might just be a result of our minds going into overdrive.

 

Body-Soul Separation: The Church teaches that death occurs when the soul leaves the body. Patrick speculates that some NDEs might be a glimpse of the soul lingering just before fully detaching from the body. This could explain those heightened senses or out-of-body perspectives some people report.

 

Genuine Afterlife Encounters: Then, there's the possibility that some people really do get a sneak peek into the afterlife. Patrick mentions biblical examples like Lazarus, who was truly dead before Jesus brought him back to life. However, he also warns that not all these experiences are heavenly. St. Teresa of Avila, for example, had a terrifying vision of sliding down a slimy tunnel toward hell—a wake-up call for her to change her life.

 

Finally, Patrick adds a word of caution: If someone’s NDE contradicts Church teachings or the Bible—like claiming everyone goes to heaven, regardless of faith—that could be a red flag that the experience might be more demonic than divine. 

 

In the end, while some NDEs might be genuine, many could just be products of imagination or even spiritual deception. The key litmus test? Always check if these experiences align with what Jesus and the Church teach. If not, it’s probably best to approach them with a healthy dose of skepticism.