Papal supremacy
The Pope is the highest level of clergy in the Catholic Church, with explicit respect and authority granted by the Christian ecclesiological doctrine. The papal supremacy perceives the Pope as the source and foundation of unity due to his office as Vicar of Christ. Ecclesiastic privileges in the doctrine guide monarchial actions and succession of the Pope. Papal supremacy was established by Christ and roots back during the era of Peter the Apostles in the 1st century. The Christian ecclesiological doctrine gives the Pope authority to alleviate punishment on sinners through indulgence (Mitchelle 4). The structural hierarchy of the Catholic Church gives me insights into how Papal supremacy grants the authority of indulgence.
Indulgences
Indulgences are full or partial remission of punishment that Popes grant in the Catholic Church. The Pope remits indulges either orally or in written letters. Indulgence frees the beneficiaries from their previously committed sins, or it can be passed to deceased family members or relatives to reduce their time in Purgatory (Awaludin and Sorbeto 13). Because one had offended the Almighty God, indulgences are based on the beliefs of the sacrament of penance and absolution. The two types of indulgences include partial indulgence, which removes a part of suffering and punishment, and plenary indulgences, which eliminates all of one’s suffering or punishment. The beneficiaries of partial indulgence are expatriated off their sins and heavenly punishments by remitting guilt. Alternatively, in plenary indulgences, all existing sin obligations are forgiven due to participation in charitable work or in the church. The topic informs how the Pope remits indulgences to relieve individuals of their burden of sins by remitting guilt.
Punishment
Although the Pope seeks the salvation of souls rather than money, he suspends indulgences and pardons previously granted. Indulgences were offered to people who participated in the crusades, repented their sins, and financed the crusades through contributions. However, the church stressed away from punishment satisfaction by pivoting on the good works and contributions. Therefore, absolution was measured according to the good works that cleared one’s debt of sin and contribution, leading to the cancelation of indulgences of those who did not contribute accordingly (Awaludin and Soberto 10). The insight left me questioning if material wealth can be equated to the burden of sin.
Martin Luther’s Arguments Against Indulgences
A German monk named Martin Luther opposed the purchase of indulgences claiming they had no impact on forgiveness of sin and entering heaven in 1517. Luther argued that indulgences were a piece of paper issued based on the Pope’s judgment of retribution of sin rather than God’s judgment. Luther argued that indulgences only affect those who believe in the Pope’s judgment. He was against the selling of indulgences claiming that divining grace is free (Awaludin and Soberto 10). Humans can not contribute to their salvation, primarily through money, since salvation is the exclusive work of divine grace. Luther’s theological view of indulgences gives me insight that God’s righteousness and forgiveness can only be revealed through faith.
Pilgrimage
Since plenary indulgences are based on doing what is meritorious, pilgrimages may be considered actions of penance. There are various ways to satisfy God’s justice for sins, including living a religious life and participating in missionary activities (Awaludin and Soberto 4). Pope Boniface VIII announced the year of Jubilee in 1300 AD in the city of Rome to enhance the spiritual bond of Catholics and allow Christian indulgences through pilgrimages. The insight gives me a deeper understanding that sacrificial acts are not limited to confession and absolution.
Detachment From Sin
The conditions for plenary indulgence include detachment from sinful activities, sacramental confessions, taking the Holy Communion, and saying indulgence prayers. Full detachment from sin is the interior disposition of sanctification that one is unwilling to renounce (Hendzel 6). The Sacrament of Confession or sacrament of penance involves confession of sins and achieving forgiveness by taking the body of Christ. The Holy Communion commemorates the last supper by Jesus and his disciples. The indulgence prayer allows believers to seek direct forgiveness and mercy from God. Insights on indulgence conditions gave me the intuition about the different processes of indulgence.
Works Cited
Awaludin, Asep, and Mohammad Alex Sorbeto. “The Concept of Purgatory In Catholicism.”Journal of Religious Comparative Studies 1.1 (2019): 39-54.
Hendzel, Matthew Scott. An Exploration of the Roman Catholic Doctrine of Purgatory in Light of Current Issues in Theodicy. Diss. (2019).
Mitchell, Taryn E. “Get Out of Purgatory Free: This Indulgence May be Kept Until Needed or Sold.”Line by Line: A Journal of Beginning Student Writing 8.1 (2022): 4.