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
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
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
