The way it’s framed above is totally fair but reflects the theologian-Canon lawyer divide in how we teach theology in English speaking countries. Namely that theologians say an indulgence is an intentional reclaiming of freedom that cooperates with grace. That’s all it is. Nothing more. And canon law focuses more on the administration of…
The way it’s framed above is totally fair but reflects the theologian-Canon lawyer divide in how we teach theology in English speaking countries. Namely that theologians say an indulgence is an intentional reclaiming of freedom that cooperates with grace. That’s all it is. Nothing more. And canon law focuses more on the administration of it. They’re not really in conflict with one another and so the catechism proposes a middle ground in explaining. The specific practices vary widely throughout the centuries as pointed out. We go through periods of discipline that accidentally discourages people from the sacraments, and periods of trying to entice people back. It’s the same reason we now require Catholics to receive the Eucharist at least once during the Easter season. The discipline became so heavy that theology couldn’t break through, and people stopped receiving.
The way it’s framed above is totally fair but reflects the theologian-Canon lawyer divide in how we teach theology in English speaking countries. Namely that theologians say an indulgence is an intentional reclaiming of freedom that cooperates with grace. That’s all it is. Nothing more. And canon law focuses more on the administration of it. They’re not really in conflict with one another and so the catechism proposes a middle ground in explaining. The specific practices vary widely throughout the centuries as pointed out. We go through periods of discipline that accidentally discourages people from the sacraments, and periods of trying to entice people back. It’s the same reason we now require Catholics to receive the Eucharist at least once during the Easter season. The discipline became so heavy that theology couldn’t break through, and people stopped receiving.