THE TELEGRAPH: The Vatican's most secretive tribunal has revealed how the Catholic Church deals with the worst sins divulged in the confessional.
The Apostolic Penitentiary, or "tribunal of conscience", has been shrouded in secrecy ever since it was established by Pope Alexander III in 1179 and until now has never provided details of the cases it scrutinises.
They are considered so heinous by the Catholic Church that only the Pope can grant absolution to those who perpetrate them.
But in an effort to present a more transparent image and to encourage more people to make confessions, the tribunal held a two-day conference in Rome in which it discussed its purpose and inner workings. >>> By Nick Squires in Rome | Thursday, January 15, 2009
The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Paperback & Hardback) – Free delivery >>>
