Bp Paprocki on Occult: Culture Thinks These Activities Harmless, They’re Quite Harmful

While returning from the Napa Institute Summer Conference, which focused on the theme of faith, hope, and charity in personal conversion and global renewal, Bishop Paprocki reflects on the contrast between the spiritually enriching experience at the conference and the troubling cultural trends observed during travel. On the flight, nearly everyone was absorbed in movies featuring witches, vampires, and fortune tellers, underscoring a societal fascination with the occult. This cultural shift is further exemplified by a Wall Street Journal article reporting the growing popularity of online witchcraft and spell-casting, especially among young people. Witchcraft, superstition, idolatry, and divination—are gravely contrary to the First Commandment and the teachings of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. In a world where belief in God wanes, many turn to false gods and deceptive powers, forgetting that only the one true God is worthy of worship.


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