Purgatory, like heaven and hell, is a state that exists outside of our earthly experience of time. So even if there was an easy way to determine whether or not someone is currently in purgatory, we couldn't really gauge that soul's spiritual progress there in terms of months, days or years.| Catholic Review
It is possible that excellent marriage preparation could "work against" a couple seeking a declaration of nullity in some circumstances. But most of the time, it probably would not.| Catholic Review
The goal of the church's nullity process is to determine whether there was some problem or issue at the time of the wedding that was serious enough and of such a nature so as to prevent a true marriage from ever being contracted in the first place.| Catholic Review
When in doubt, bring it up in confession anyway. If a person does bear the guilt of a sin committed in their pre-Catholic life, the priest will be happy to grant absolution.| Catholic Review
A church building is a sacred space that is open to the public by its very nature. The faithful fundamentally have a right to join in the prayer conducted in a church building since it is, in a sense, their spiritual home.| Catholic Review
Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen is remembered as one of the most influential and innovative evangelists in American history. Once dubbed "God's microphone," Sheen announced God's truth in a nonconfrontational, yet no less life-giving, manner to untold millions through radio, print and television.| Catholic Review
"Dilexi Te" manifests both Pope Leo's recognition that we need to grow in unity and subtly illustrates a means to bring such unity to a fractured church, something he has spoken of from the earliest days of his pontificate.| Catholic Review
Anyone who has had a loved one diagnosed with cancer knows how painful and scary it is. Yet, in that moment and throughout my four years in Rome, the Holy Spirit placed a resounding message in my heart: God will provide.| Catholic Review
Q: When I was in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (commonly known as RCIA, now the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), the instructor said normal weekly Eucharist counts as a “confession,” and reception counts as “absolution.” She said in most cases, most people “don’t need to bother” the priest with their sins, and only need to go to an actual confession once a year or if they’ve done something particularly wrong. Could you comment? (Indiana)| catholicreview.org
Q: I used to volunteer to bring Holy Communion to the sick in nursing homes and hospice, and I always wondered: Why can’t we bring the precious blood to those who are very ill or at the point of death and can no longer eat any solid food? I asked several priests about this, and they all said it was not possible. I guess I would just like to know the church’s reasoning on why this is not permitted.| catholicreview.org
Is laughter good medicine? Maybe, but it’s rare that we hear about the laughter of a saint. In our current historical moment, I think we need a saint’s laughter.| catholicreview.org
Clergy sexual abuse has mutilated the church. It has scourged Christ’s body. Like a rock dropped in the water, the ripples stretch out far, and they continue to reach far beyond the sins perpetrated in darkness.| catholicreview.org
The bishops of the United States have long been advocates of reforms to our broken immigration system.| catholicreview.org
