Auto-da-fé

Auto-da-fé, which means "act of faith" in Spanish and Portuguese, refers to a public ceremony during the Spanish Inquisition where those accused of heresy were judged. This often involved public penance, but could also result in severe punishments, including execution by burning at the stake. The event served both to demonstrate the power of the Church and to intimidate the populace against nonconformity. These rituals typically included social and religious elements, seeking to reinforce Catholic orthodoxy while instilling fear in the community regarding challenges to religious authority.