Indulgences
Gaining
Indulgences
First we must understand what indulgences are so we don't lapse into
superstition. To do this, basic concepts must be understood, but before
we get to that, let's get a basic definition:
"An indulgence is a remission before God of the
temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven,
which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain
prescribed conditions through the action of the Church which, as the
minister of redemption, dispenses and applies with authority the treasury
of the satisfactions of Christ and the saints." (1983 Catechism
¶ 1471)
And here is what indulgences are not: they are not
permission to commit sins in the future; they are not "get out
of Hell free" cards; they are not the forgiveness of the guilt
of sin. They have nothing to do with eternal salvation; they are only
for the temporal effects of sins that have already been forgiven through
Penance (or a perfect Act of Contrition, as the case may be).
Written by Tracy
Tucciarone López
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