Thoughts on punishment in purgatory

[Saint_Michael]

Nope, I wasn’t asking that at all. I was asking what makes the teachings of indulgences valid. I am not familiar with Catholicism (as I am interested in other things e.g. biochemistry, evolution, ect.) but I don’t think indulgences are offered by the Church anymore, and it seems (to me anyway) a scheme to buy people into heaven (so I agree with Luther on this). But I am an agnostic who is somewhat curious regarding that Catholic Church’s postition on purgatory.

You can still obtain indulgences, or partial indulgences, and you could NEVER buy an indulgence, that would be simony, and simony was always a sin. If Bishops or priests sold indulgences they did so in direct opposition to Catholic teaching.

Here is an article on indulgences:

newadvent.org/cathen/07783a.htm

And actually the selling of indulgences was something the Church agreed with Luther on, there was corruption by some Bishops and priests on selling indulegnces, but it was not taught by the Church as being O.K… It was handled by the Church during the counter-reformation. The Church didn’t demand Luther withdraw ALL of his problems just the heritical ones.

 

[ribozyme]

You can still obtain indulgences, or partial indulgences, and you could NEVER buy an indulgence, that would be simony, and simony was always a sin. If Bishops or priests sold indulgences they did so in direct opposition to Catholic teaching.

Here is an article on indulgences:

newadvent.org/cathen/07783a.htm

And actually the selling of indulgences was something the Church agreed with Luther on, there was corruption by some Bishops and priests on selling indulegnces, but it was not taught by the Church as being O.K… It was handled by the Church during the counter-reformation. The Church didn’t demand Luther withdraw ALL of his problems just the heritical ones.

Well, thanks for the clarification. If I am not mistaken, one could say a prayer that could shorten someone stay in purgatory. I don’t know what it is though.

 

[Pryority7]

If you think about it the saints in Heaven pray for us yet there is no time there either, right? I think the concept of time takes on a different reality in the afterlife, so therefore indulgences and prayers for the dead still stand…for in reality they are not truly dead. Those in Christ are more alive than we are…amen.

P7

 

[valient_Lucy]

Well, thanks for the clarification. If I am not mistaken, one could say a prayer that could shorten someone stay in purgatory. I don’t know what it is though.

It’s not really a specific prayer. Most prayers have indulgences attached to them. So do works of mercy and charity. So basically, if a Catholic wants to lessen their time in Purgatory, he prays and cares for the less fortunate.

 

[Saint_Sinner]

It’s my understanding the original ‘time’ designations for indulgences had to do with them being equilivent to some other type of penance. Anyone familiar with what the ‘standard’ is supposed to be?