Indulgences -- An Historically Difficult Church Teaching

Catholics are often challenged for the history of the Church's teachings and practices regarding indulgences.  So, I thought I'd take a moment and attempt to present the Church's real position regarding this particular doctrine.

This certainly is a sensitive issue which, in the words of Pope St. John Paul II, has "suffered historical misunderstandings that have had a negative impact on communion between Christians".  (Papal address of September 19, 1999)

In Catholic theology, an indulgence is the remission of the temporal punishment due God as a result of personal sin.  Salvation is made possible through the remission of sin obtained by the merit of Jesus Christ, the Savior.  

Baptism remits both sin and the penalty of sin.  However, sins committed after Baptism incur penalties which have not been forgiven.  Mortal sins result in a complete and utter absence of Sanctifying Grace within the soul of the believer.  For those in the state of mortal sin, Sanctifying Grace must be restored through the Sacrament of Reconciliation or by an act of perfect contrition.  Yet, there remains a punishment due to God which is to be expiated in this life or after death.  While venial sins do not result in the total absence of Sanctifying Grace, they incur penalties as well.  

Indulgences remove some (partial indulgences) or all (plenary indulgences) of these penalties owed to God on account of personal sin.

In the words of Pope St. John Paul II:  "In this context, temporal punishment expresses the condition of suffering of those who, although reconciled with God, are still marked by those "remains" of sin which do not leave them totally open to Grace.  Precisely for the sake of complete healing, the sinner is called to undertake a journey of conversion toward the fullness of love."

Indulgences can be applied either for one's own sins or they can be applied to those who have died (the Poor Souls in Purgatory).  The Church prohibits a person attempting to obtain indulgences for another living person.

To legitimately obtain an indulgence for oneself or for a deceased person, one must be a baptized Catholic, not subject to excommunication, reconciled of any serious sin through the Sacrament of Penance, and willing to perform the work for which the indulgence is granted.

It would seem arrogant to think that a person could receive such a gift solely by performing some external act with no interior disposition of contrition or purpose of amendment.  On the contrary, indulgences are an expression of faith in the mercy of God as well as the union of Christ to His Bride, the Church.

So this is the classical teaching and understanding of indulgences.  To many today, this teaching seems outdated and out of touch with the personalist approach to sin as a tear in the fabric of relationship between the Lord and the sinner, a relationship which is re-established in act of admission of fault and an openness to the bountiful mercy of Christ.  The focus of this more modern approach to sin and forgiveness does not appear to open itself to considerations of penalties but rather a complete restoration of relationship.  That is why mention of indulgences from the pulpit are few and far between nowadays.

Whether or not one chooses to believe in indulgences or practice them is certainly a personal choice.  I find it reassuring to believe and hope that there may be something I can do to assist those who have died by obtaining indulgences for them to aid them in their experience of the Beatific Vision.  I can only hope that, at my death, there may be those who will remember me in prayer to God and pray to hasten my journey to His Divine Presence for all eternity.