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Small-Scale Question Sunday for January 21, 2024

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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That’s probably not to absolve their sins unless their priest specifically told them to nail themselves to a cross as an act of penance after confession (which is unlikely). Instead this seems like a purely devotional act.

Don't Catholics always have sins to absolve because of original sin?

No, not at all. The act of baptism purifies from all sins, including the original sin. Even on Wikipedia you can read:

In the Catholic Church by baptism all sins are forgiven, original sin and all personal sins.

After you have sinned, you can be forgiven from your sins by attending the sacrament of penance. If you have satisfied the conditions of good penance, you are free from all sins.