Empath

An Empath is a reincarnated mortal being, born with the ability to feel other's emotions, the power of empathy. When mortals are reincarnated as Empaths, they usually become Elders, Cupids, priests, counselors, teachers, psychiatrists, etc. Their power allows them to help others, such as healing someone's emotional pain. While most Empaths are born immortal, others who were given the gift of empathy remain mortal.

Demons and Empathy
Demons are the only beings who cannot possess the power of empathy due to the fact that they can not handle human emotions, and the power will drive them insane eventually destroying them.

Vinceres and Prue Halliwell
In 2001, Prue Halliwell met a young man named Vince. He first seemed like a man cursed with the power of empathy, unable to handle all the emotions he felt. Trying to help an innocent, Prue had cast a spell that released his power.

Prue and her sisters soon found out that Vince was actually a demon named Vinceres. He was cursed by Father Thomas, an Empath, who had given his empathy power to the demon. Father Thomas knew the power would make the demon insane and unable to set one foot outside and thus not being able to kill innocents.

Also, since Vinceres had touched Prue's hand while she was casting the spell, the power had gone into her, making Prue an Empath. However, since Prue was not destined to be one, she as well became insane. With the help of Father Thomas, Prue learned to channel all the emotions she felt into her own powers and vanquished Vinceres.

Phoebe Halliwell
"I am an empath. That's my new power. Or at least an advancement of my premonition power, I don't know."

- Phoebe to Chris after discovering her new power.

Phoebe Halliwell is the only known Witch of Warren line of witches to become an Empath. Although she was not born as an Empath, she received the gift in late 2003, presumably as she was destined to become one.

Phoebe, as columnist, used her gift to help the people who wrote to her. The power also connected to her premonition power, making her able to feel the emotions of the people in her visions.