Clarifying the church practice of indulgences

A recent error-laden piece on indulgences in The Gazette caused a stern response from diocesan vicar general Father Bob Jaeger in its Saturday letters page (scroll down to third letter). Father Jaeger has added interest in this matter since the parish he pastors, St. Paul, has been declared a Pauline Year pilgrimage site by the Vatican, a designation which carries with it the opportunity to receive a plenary indulgence should certain conditions be satisfied. According to the Vatican statement on the Pauline Year indulgence:

The gift of Indulgences which the Roman Pontiff offers to the universal Church, truly smoothes the way to attaining a supreme degree of inner purification which, while honouring the Blessed Apostle Paul, exalts the supernatural life in the hearts of the faithful and gently encourages them to do good deeds.

Never quite got that gist in the Gazette piece. About the only thing the article got right is its allusion that a lot of Catholics do not understand the practice of indulgences.

Thanks for the letter, Fr. Bob. We will revisit the church's teaching on indulgences in an upcoming Herald.