Greetings in Christ! I had to chime in because I am a Roman Catholic Priest and have never bought nor sold indulgences, nor have I ever come across anyone doing such a thing (which would clearly be sinful). I have also never worshiped Mary, nor heard of any Catholic doing so, for to do so would be a sin. Surely salvation always come from through Christ alone, that is one of the clearest teachings of the Catholic Church.
I think it’s high time that we overcome our biases and stereotypes and learn what the Catholic Church does and does not teach.
“I’m glad my salvation comes through Christ alone!”
The problem is, so does theirs. Let us pray that they (and we) would be guided into all truth by the work of the Holy Spirit through the Word. Let us also pray that the Roman church might likewise be led to end its subversion of the Gospel and instead proclaim it for what it is.
Good question Tim. The Church certainly has the authority to issue indulgences. An indulgence, according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church is “An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins” The issuing of indulgences is part of the power of the keys given to Peter and his successors by Christ Himself. Remember that Jesus said to Peter “Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matt. 16:19). The binding, or in the case of indulgences, the loosing of the temporal punishment due to sin is clearly something the Church has the authority to do – it was given to Peter by Christ Himself, and if that is the case why not do it in order to benefit the faithful who desire to grow in holiness?
“Christians are to be taught that the pope’s pardons are useful, if they do not put their trust in them; but altogether harmful, if through them they lose their fear of God.”
Thesis 49
Disputation of Doctor Martin Luther
on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences
by Dr. Martin Luther (1517)
I’m utterly confused by your two posts. First you write, “that you have never bought nor sold an indulgence…which would clearly be sinfull”, but then in your next post, you write that the church has the authority to issue indulgences.
My question is this: so it’s just the buying and selling of indulgences that is wrong? But issuing them for doing X,Y,Z is fine?
And by receiving an indulgence, doe that a person can bypass purgatory? I didn’t see an email on your blog, or else I would have emailed you directly.
Balaam's Ass 
Sounds like a lot of Mary Worship, too.
I’m glad my salvation comes through Christ alone!
Greetings in Christ! I had to chime in because I am a Roman Catholic Priest and have never bought nor sold indulgences, nor have I ever come across anyone doing such a thing (which would clearly be sinful). I have also never worshiped Mary, nor heard of any Catholic doing so, for to do so would be a sin. Surely salvation always come from through Christ alone, that is one of the clearest teachings of the Catholic Church.
I think it’s high time that we overcome our biases and stereotypes and learn what the Catholic Church does and does not teach.
“I’m glad my salvation comes through Christ alone!”
The problem is, so does theirs. Let us pray that they (and we) would be guided into all truth by the work of the Holy Spirit through the Word. Let us also pray that the Roman church might likewise be led to end its subversion of the Gospel and instead proclaim it for what it is.
Agreed, Fr. Christensen. What about the issuing of indulgences?
Tim
Good question Tim. The Church certainly has the authority to issue indulgences. An indulgence, according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church is “An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins” The issuing of indulgences is part of the power of the keys given to Peter and his successors by Christ Himself. Remember that Jesus said to Peter “Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matt. 16:19). The binding, or in the case of indulgences, the loosing of the temporal punishment due to sin is clearly something the Church has the authority to do – it was given to Peter by Christ Himself, and if that is the case why not do it in order to benefit the faithful who desire to grow in holiness?
“Christians are to be taught that the pope’s pardons are useful, if they do not put their trust in them; but altogether harmful, if through them they lose their fear of God.”
Thesis 49
Disputation of Doctor Martin Luther
on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences
by Dr. Martin Luther (1517)
For Fr. Christensen,
I’m utterly confused by your two posts. First you write, “that you have never bought nor sold an indulgence…which would clearly be sinfull”, but then in your next post, you write that the church has the authority to issue indulgences.
My question is this: so it’s just the buying and selling of indulgences that is wrong? But issuing them for doing X,Y,Z is fine?
And by receiving an indulgence, doe that a person can bypass purgatory? I didn’t see an email on your blog, or else I would have emailed you directly.