Rituals of purification or moral cleansing are common in many religious traditions. For example, ritual washing before prayer, public worship, (re)inclusion, or other religious activities is present ...

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced governments and individuals to operate as if every day brings with it a new contingency plan. The Catholic Church is no different, in a sense, at least when it comes ...

In his pastoral letter, “Lent in Times of Trial,” Archbishop Fernando Sebastian of Pamplona has demanded that priests definitively cease from abusing the practice of general absolution “in which the ...

You can find today’s readings here. “Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?” (Lk 5:23) I don’t know about you, but I admit I’m skeptical of arguments for ...

When a Roman Catholic priest gives the “last rites,” he says, “I absolve you from all censures and sins.… I grant to you plenary indulgence and remission of all sins and I bless you.” Some Protestant ...

What does it mean to be spiritual? Many these days are undertaking to consider spirituality, its meaning, and how to achieve it. This interest appears to come in addition to or perhaps because of the ...

The dome of St. Peter’s Basilica is seen through trees in the Vatican Gardens. (Credit: Paul Haring/CNS.) Listen ROME — In places particularly hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic and with severe ...