Statement on the Dangers of Exploring Forms of Divination and Occult Practices 

Bishop Joseph G. Hanefeldt, Diocese of Grand Island

Fall is a beautiful time of the year and fall decorations highlight the natural beauty of this change of seasons. However, as the date of Halloween approaches, a greater fascination with ghosts, zombies, death, dark spirits and with evil is also on display. Sometimes events and activities are planned, perhaps simply as seasonal fun, that also open the door for evil spirits to enter into a person, often without their knowing it.  

   The Catechism of the Catholic Church, in dealing with the First Commandment, states in section #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. Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history and in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers.  They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone.” In other words, the use of Ouija boards, Tarot cards and other items thought to possess magical powers elicit a type of ‘faith’ which is contrary to the Christian faith in God alone. 

   Furthermore, section #2117 of the Catechism teaches that, “All practices of magic or sorcery, by which one attempts to tame occult powers, so as to place them at one’s service and have a supernatural power over others – even if this were for the sake of restoring their health – are gravely contrary to the virtue of religion.  These practices are even more to be condemned when accompanied by the intention of harming someone, or when they have recourse to the intervention of demons. Wearing charms is also reprehensible. Spiritism often implies divination or magical practices; the Church for her part warns the faithful against it.  Recourse to so called traditional cures does not justify either the invocation of evil powers or the exploitation of another’s credulity.” 

   The hidden, unanticipated result of participating in these practices is that a person opens themselves up to the activity of evil spirits and, unwittingly, to the deceptive attraction of other demonic and satanic activity. In this way, a person compromises their own spiritual health and well-being because of some initial voluntary participation in things through which evil spirits gain entry into their lives.  

     Many people suffer lasting effects from a curious exploration by which they dabbled in divination, magic, sorcery or other occult practices. They need deliverance and healing from these spiritual maladies. Anyone who has participated in these types of activities should renounce such practices and confess this offense against the one true God in the sacrament of reconciliation. Furthermore, they should seek deliverance and healing for these spiritual maladies from priests who are to offer prayers of deliverance over them. 

     Let us avoid all that offends God and strive to fulfill all that brings him honor. Do not open your life to the activity of evil spirits. May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. 

Catholic Diocese of Grand Island
To the Faithful of the Diocese of Grand Island – July 11, 2023

As the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Grand Island, I am encouraging you to respectfully decline to sign the petition initiative underway in our state that seeks to repeal LB753 (the Opportunity Scholarships Act). If you have already signed this petition, let me encourage you to complete the Secretary of State’s form necessary to remove your signature from this petition.

Earlier this Spring, the Nebraska legislature, with a super-majority of senators from across the state, passed LB753 which was then signed into law by Governor Pillen. This legislation made Nebraska the 50th state to pass some type of school choice plan.

The Opportunity Scholarships Act provides increased scholarship opportunities, primarily for low-income children, through a state income tax credit. Taxpayers can claim this tax credit by making financial contributions to a scholarship granting organization (SGO) which is authorized by LB753. 

The three Catholic bishops of Nebraska are in full support of a statewide SGO, Opportunity Scholarships Nebraska, the formation of which is in its initial stages. The Nebraska Catholic Conference is helping to lead this effort. Using the wisdom and experience gained from other places around the country who are enjoying the benefits of school choice options, this statewide SGO will know our schools, our families and their needs.  It will deliver scholarships to provide meaningful school choice opportunities for students seeking an education at one of the many non-public schools in our state.

Unfortunately, there is and has been for many years, a well-organized opposition to school choice in Nebraska. This has led to numerous myths being spread about school choice. For example, some people believe that providing scholarship tax credits will hurt public education, even as the Nebraska Legislature recently passed historic public education funding which will infuse nearly $1 billion of increased financial support for public schools. We certainly need strong public schools, but we also need school choice for parents who seek better opportunities for their children.

In conclusion, there is no need to repeal LB753. We need to protect school choice for Nebraskans, especially for children who experience poverty and bullying. Please respectfully decline to sign this petition. School choice makes everyone better off. For more specific information I would encourage you to go to the Nebraska Catholic Conference website at: School choice under attack: DECLINE to sign! (necatholic.org) and learn more about why we believe LB753, signed in to law by Governor Pillen, is a step in the right direction. You may also find out more on this by going to: Keep Kids First (keepkidsfirstnebraska.com).

Today there is new hope for the unborn in this country. There is new hope for their mothers and fathers, that they might accept the amazing gift of life they have created. Today there is new hope for humanity, that each unborn person may be given the chance to enrich our lives with their unique gifts. Today the Supreme Court has taken an important step in bringing respect for all human life back to this country.

The generous work of all who believe in the sanctity of human life must continue, as before, with ever greater mercy and compassion. While there are numerous pregnancy care centers throughout this country – and parishes, organizations and individuals who serve them – we must become ever more responsive to the practical needs of those who find themselves with an unwanted pregnancy. In this way, the choice for life can be made more confidently, and the trauma of an abortion experience and its aftermath can be avoided.

Every baptized person must be a true servant of life! As disciples of Jesus, who came “that we might have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10), we must always be generous servants of life! Serve the lives of others right where you are! Support the choice for life not only before birth, but after the birth of a child, as well!

In a particular way, let us pray for the conversion of those who believe that destroying life through abortion should ever be an option. Likewise, let us pray for the ongoing healing of those whose lives have been destroyed because of an abortion experience.  To them, let us be ambassadors of hope in God, who is rich mercy.  

Let us mark this historic day by renewing our esteem for all human life: embryos already created in labs, the unborn in the womb, those with special needs, the abandoned or marginalized, the mentally ill, the terminally ill and all those who live with great suffering. Let us remember the words of Jesus who said, “whatever you did for the least of my brothers and sisters, you did for me.”  (Matthew 25:40)

Pray for the People of Ukraine

As the world watches the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces, it is imperative that Christians throughout the world make a response of faith and take up the call to prayer and fasting for an end to this evil.
In particular, Our Lady of Fatima asked the world to pray for the conversion of Russia. Once again it is time to make a response of faith by our fervent praying of the holy rosary, that Our Lady Queen of Peace will overcome this evil and bring a peaceful resolution to this tragic conflict.
I encourage all our parishes, and the various organizations within our diocese and parishes, to begin regularly praying the holy rosary for the withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine. Pray that the great mercy of God will bring healing and hope to all who are victims of this senseless conflict.
Together, let us renew our faith in the powerful intercession of Our Blessed Mother. Pray the rosary so that the Immaculate Heart of Mary will triumph over this evil. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us to have recourse to thee!

Most Reverend +Joseph G. Hanefeldt
Bishop of Grand Island

Nebraska Bishops' Joint Statement

In Response to the Nebraska Attorney General's Investigative Report

Today, Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson reported on the findings of his three-year investigation into criminal misconduct by clergy ministering in Nebraska’s three Catholic dioceses.  His report outlines the abusive behavior of a number of priests, deacons, and Catholic laity over a span of many decades.  The Attorney General’s investigation and report concern the Catholic Church in Nebraska only, and not any other religious denomination, youth service organization, or school system. 

We acknowledge with sadness that so many innocent minors and young adults were harmed by Catholic clergy and other representatives of the Church.  It is clear that the hurt is still felt, even if the abuse was perpetrated many years ago.  We apologize to the victims and their families for the pain, betrayal and suffering that never should have been experienced in the Church.

This report also points out mistakes made in the way dioceses received, reported and responded to allegations of sexual abuse in the past.  We have been committed in recent years to comprehensive measures to protect young people and vulnerable adults, preventing abuse, offering healing for past victims of abuse and fully cooperating with civil authorities in these matters.  We have made our own public disclosures of offending clergy.

Anyone who believes that a member of the clergy, church worker, or church volunteer has engaged in inappropriate conduct with a minor should contact law enforcement and the Victim Assistance Coordinator of the Diocese where the conduct occurred.

Please join us in praying for healing for victims of abuse, for their families and all in our communities who are touched by the evil of sexual abuse.

Archbishop George J. Lucas, Archdiocese of Omaha
Bishop James D. Conley, Diocese of Lincoln
Bishop Joseph Hanefeldt, Diocese of Grand Island

Victim Assistance

New Clergy Appointments for 2021

Appointment of Fr. James R. Golka as the next
Bishop of the Diocese of Colorado Springs

Today in Rome at 12:00 noon, (5:00AM Central time/4:00AM Mountain time), the Vatican announced the appointment of Fr. James R. Golka as the next Bishop of the Diocese of Colorado Springs. The announcement will officially be made in the Diocese of Colorado Springs at a 10:00AM (MDT) press conference today. Hopefully, you can gain livestream access to the press conference there by going to the Diocese of Colorado Springs website at www.diocs.org.

This announcement is bittersweet for our diocese. While we are losing a fine priest here in Grand Island, it is cause for much rejoicing for the Church in the Diocese of Colorado Springs.  Truly, it is a cause for celebration here in the Diocese of Grand Island, as well. Bishop-elect Golka is the first priest of the Diocese of Grand Island, in the history of our diocese, to be named bishop. 

Bishop Dendinger and I offer “Fr. Jim” our heartfelt congratulations and fraternal support. Likewise, we congratulate all in his family as they are especially honored by his appointment as bishop today.

Please join me in offering fervent prayer and fraternal support for Bishop-elect Golka in this time of transition in his life.  May our Blessed Mother comfort him and may St. Joseph strengthen him for all that lies ahead.

Bishop Hanefeldt Supports the following Statement issued by the USCCB on March 2, 2021 on the use of the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 Vaccine