Auto-da-fe is a term that originated in Spain, which literally means "act of faith." It is a ceremony where individuals who were accused of heresy or apostasy are punished by the Catholic Church, often ending in burning at the stake. The term auto-da-fe has several synonyms which reflect its terrifying historical context, including the terms "burning at the stake," "execution," "heretic-burning," and "death sentence." These words highlight the brutality of these punishments and serve as a reminder of the atrocities committed by the Catholic Church against those who held beliefs that were deemed incompatible with the established Catholic doctrine. Today, auto-da-fe is often used in a broader sense to describe any public display of punishment, condemnation, or humiliation.