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 ...

Discussion of the legacy of Henry Kissinger was bound to be complex. Many obituaries had been prepared years in advance, a testament to Kissinger’s longevity but also to the polarization of opinion ...

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 ...

VATICAN CITY (AP) | Pope Francis is applying his vision of a merciful church to women who have had abortions, easing their path toward forgiveness and saying he realizes some felt they had no choice ...

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 ...