The Catholic Church practice of granting indulgences, criticized by Martin Luther in the 16th century, still exists, as part of the doctrine – but in a different form.
Confession, circa 1460/1470. Artist unknown.
Photo by Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty Images
Churches’ struggles to respond to the plague and constant warfare in the 14th and 15th centuries helped shape the kinds of Christianity in the world today.
Pope Francis recently removed a secrecy rule to increase transparency for sexual abuse cases.
AP Photo/Andrew Medichini
Pope Francis recently removed a rule known as Pontifical Secrecy, which allowed clergy and church officials to withhold information regarding sexual abuse. Will it make the church truly transparent?
In Catholic understanding, Jesus gave his disciples the power to forgive sins.
Hernán Piñera
Following the sexual abuse scandals, there is a push to force the Catholic Church to compromise the confidentiality of the confessional. A Catholic scholar explains why confession is so important.
Beauty YouTuber James Charles recently made numerous apology videos following a public feud. Such videos are now so common they have become the subject of parody.
Nina Prommer/EPA/AAP
Pope Francis is trying to address gaps in the regulatory processes of the Catholic Church. But clergy can still decide whether, and to what degree, to share information.
Leonardo da Vinci’s Virgin of the Rocks.
National Gallery London