By Philip Kosloski, Aleteia - (W)hat’s the truth about ghosts? Are they real?.. According to the Catholic Church, yes, ghosts are real, except the Church’s definition of ghosts is slightly different than the world’s view and includes three different types…. the word “ghost” is traditionally defined as “spirit.” In this respect, the Catholic Church heartily affirms that there is a spiritual world around us. These spirits are normally identified as “angels.”… Angels, similar to God, are pure “spirit” and do exist…