You may wonder, is a spiritual warfare prayer to remove generational spirits licit? What is the history of belief in generational spirits and curses, and what does the Church say about them? Is it scriptural to pray against generational spirits?

The idea of generational spirits or generational curses was condemned by the International Association of Exorcists (AIE) in 2018 and in November 2024, the Spanish Bishops’ Conference published a doctrinal note criticizing this practice as well. In their 2018 congress, AIE warned against the practice of healing the family tree and the belief in generational spirits. The idea that demons or ancestral sins in a family are passed down to its descendants contradicts Catholic doctrine and can cause spiritual harm.

Why did they say this?

Baptism is a complete exorcism of the soul, makes a person born again and wipes out Original Sin. Demonic manifestation is possible, but believing that a generational spirit has power over you or that a curse controls your destiny negates the power of Christ to free you.

Did you know that belief in generational spirits and curses is a modern phenomena that was recently invented in Protestant Christianity? Methods to remove generational spirits began as late as the 1960s within the Protestant Pentecostal movement in the United States. A few key 20th century Protestant authors popularized the idea such as Kenneth McAll, Rebecca Brown, and Marilyn Hickey.

There is no historic reference to generational spirits in the Church fathers or the doctors of the Church. Generational spirits are not mentioned in the Catechism, in papal documents, or in church councils. Furthermore, generational spirits are not Biblical according to a 52 page report in the American Journal of Biblical Theology by Scott E. Osenbaugh, Th.M.

Father Rogelio Alcántara, chairman of the doctrinal commission of the Archdiocese of Mexico, prepared a thorough study of the practice of praying against generational spirits and it’s history. He states: “The supposed philosophical foundation of the so-called ancestral damage is very similar to what is popularly known as ‘karma,’ an idea derived from the Hindu religion.”

Additionally, the Spanish Bishops’ Conference concluded the following:

In contrast to those who assert the intergenerational transmission of ancestral sins—and relying upon the Word of God—we wish to affirm that no one can be held accountable for the sins of others, nor should anyone be held responsible for the sins of previous generations; rather, each individual is responsible for his or her own life and his or her own sins.

As was already affirmed in the Old Testament: “The one who sins is the one who will die; the son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor shall the father bear the guilt of the son” (Ez 18:20). 

Is Belief in Generational Spirits Neo-Gnostic or New Age?

Many Catholic and mainline Protestant theologians warn against belief in generational spirits because this belief is seen as a way to blame invisible forces rather than taking personal responsibility for our sinful habits. Others call it a neo-Gnostic heresy that blends concepts of spiritual warfare with an unbiblical approach to ancestral, “curse-breaking” rituals.

Fr. Peter Joseph of Wagga Wagga, Australia explains:

It is typical of the new agers to teach others to look elsewhere than themselves for the source of their problems. This is a big problem in today’s world, namely refusing to take responsibility for our own choices and decisions. So some seek to blame their parents, or ancestors, or evil spirits, or a curse that was placed upon them. It is also extremely imprudent to tell people afflicted with fears that their problems are caused by demons or ancestors binding them. Such explanations are only calculated to make them worse. What they do need is formation in the virtues of fortitude and trust in God.

We all know that in certain families there is a bigger tendency to alcoholism or gambling or reckless daring or other vices. But we also know that within a single family there are some siblings who are like chalk and cheese. Our basic temperament may be a given, but our character, which is what we do with it, is up to us. If we cooperate with the grace of God, we can overcome temptations, unhealthy proclivities and bad examples. We can acquire new virtues. From sinful parents, God can and does produce saints! Only mindless determinism tries to lock people into a box for the rest of their lives.

So how do you deal with sins in the family? How do you pray against sinful habits that seem to be ‘inherited’ through the generations of your family?