A new true-crime documentary series on Netflix, “Vatican Girl,” tells the story of the 1983 disappearance of Emanuela Orlandi, a 15-year-old girl who is still the only Vatican citizen considered missing.
Explainer
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Explainer: ‘The Doctrine of Discovery’ and how the Catholic Church may officially reject it
The “Doctrine of Discovery” is the leveraging of the idea of discovery to argue for and put into law a claim on and right to indigenous lands. It has no current and actively sustained legal connection.
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Explainer: What Catholics need to know about Ouija boards
As you might imagine, there has been a lot of investigation into how exactly a Ouija board works. How is it possible that you can place your fingers on a little plastic planchette and have it start moving at all?
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Why don’t Catholics receive the precious blood from separate cups at Communion?
The precious blood is an important part of Communion, but many people are afraid of the risk of cross-contamination from a shared chalice. Why shouldn’t we simply use separate cups? There are a few reasons.
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Papal infallibility is often misunderstood. Here’s what it means—and what it doesn’t.
Papal infallibility is not always properly understood. Some on the right think that the magisterium can resolve every question or problem with a declaration. Those on the left often grow impatient and dispute its interventions.
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Explainer: Padre Pio and the (controversial) history of the stigmata
Padre Pio is known in part for his prophetic ability, his healing power and receiving the stigmata. But during his life and after his death, these expressions of the 20th-century saint’s holiness have been debated.
Posted inExplainer, Faith
What Catholics need to know about Kazakhstan before Pope Francis’ visit
Kazakhstan, which Pope Francis will visit tomorrow, is largely an unknown country to many Catholics around the world. Here is a brief introduction to the country and its small Catholic community.
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Pope John Paul I will be beatified on Sunday. Who was he?
Pope for only 33 days, John Paul I is known both as “The Smiling Pope” and “The Forgotten Pope.” On Sept. 4, he will be beatified. What were his life and papacy like?
Posted inExplainer, Politics & Society
Explainer: The Catholic Church’s fraught relationship with the Nicaraguan government
For five years, the government and church of Nicaragua have been at odds over protests and state corruption.
Posted inExplainer, Politics & Society
Explainer: Could Pope Francis revoke the 15th-century ‘Doctrine of Discovery’ used to justify colonizing Indigenous peoples?
Papal bulls written in the 15th century granted Catholic kings permission to colonize non-Christian lands and enslave Indigenous Peoples. Will Pope Francis formally rescind those decrees during his Canada pilgrimage?