Pope Declares Plenary Indulgence

Well at least, as far as I can tell, they are not asking people to pay for it, but....this story illustrates the fact, which some unfortunately today wish to sidestep, that Rome is still very much Rome. We can rejoice in all the signs of the work of the Holy Spirit in Roman Catholicism, wherever and whenever the pure Gospel is read or proclaimed and received in trusting faith, but it remains true that, precisely for the sake of the Gospel, we must continue clearly to reject and condemn the errors of Rome, exemplified in the latest announcement from the Vatican, which is offering a plenary indulgence in connection with the alleged Marian apparition in Lourdes, France.  

Here is a quote from the story:

"The first way to obtain the indulgence is to visit the following places in Lourdes between December 8, 2007 and December 8, 2008, preferably in the order suggested: (1) the parish baptistery used for the Baptism of Bernadette, (2) the Soubirous family home, known as the 'cachot,' (3) the Grotto of Massabielle, (4) the chapel of the hospice where Bernadette received First Communion, and on each occasion they pause for an appropriate length of time in prayer and with pious meditations, concluding with the recital of the Our Father, the Profession of Faith, ... and the jubilee prayer or other Marian invocation."

If the faithful are not in Lourdes, but wish to receive the plenary indulgence, then during the week of the anniversary of the first apparition, which is the week of  February 2, 2008 through February 11, 2008, and they must visit “in any church, grotto or decorous place, the blessed image of that same Virgin of Lourdes, solemnly exposed for public veneration, and before the image participate in a pious exercise of Marian devotion, or at least pause for an appropriate space of time in prayer and with pious meditations, concluding with the recital of the Our Father, the Profession of Faith, ... and the invocation of the Blessed Virgin Mary."

There is also a provision for those who are unable to fulfill the previous two ways of obtaining the indulgence. Those who "through sickness, old age or other legitimate reason are unable to leave their homes, may still obtain the Plenary Indulgence ... if, with the soul completely removed from attachment to any form of sin and with the intention of observing, as soon as they can, the usual three conditions, on the days February 2 to 11, 2008, in their hearts they spiritually visit the above-mentioned places and recite those prayers, trustingly offering to God, through Mary, the sickness and discomforts of their lives."

Comments

[Kelly]

Does anyone know if there have been any Lutherans investigating or studying alleged Marian apparitions? I mean specific apparitions, not the idea behind them or the general theology that they tend to espouse.

[PeteS]

Back in 2000 there was a special jubilee indulgence declared by John Paul II which could be obtained by a pilgrimage to various holy sites, or, if that were too difficult, by a cash donation. It was right on the Vatican website. "When a coin in the coffer clings.."

[Todd]

I tried discussing this with a RC seminary guy in my Philosophy class at CUCA, he just kept saying "well we believe...." I kept saying "look, I know what you believe, what I'm saying is your wrong". As usual, Scripture references were non-existent on his side. Sad.