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Thursday, January 6, 2000
What is an indulgence?
A ccording to the Catechism of the
Catholic Church, 1471, quoting
Pope Paul VI, an indulgence is “a remis
sion before God of the temporal punish
ment due to sins whose guilt has already
been forgiven, which the faithful
Christian who is duly disposed gains
under certain prescribed conditions
through the action of the Church which,
as the minister of redemption, dispenses
and applies with authority the treasury
of satisfactions of Christ and all the
saints.” An indulgence “is partial or ple
nary according as it removes either part
or all of the temporal punishment due to
sin.” The Catechism further notes that
“indulgences may be applied to the liv
ing or the dead.”
Indulgence
(Continued from page 4)
as affecting the life of the whole com
munity. We should not take lightly our
sense of the need to do such penance.
It is of interest that Alcoholics Ano
nymous has incorporated this dimen
sion into recovery. Sin damages. We
must be willing to admit that we have
also so often hurt others.
The difficulty with indulgences is
that we seem to want to divide eterni
ty as if it were time. The time element
that is introduced can leave false
impressions.
Personally, I believe Purgatory is a
flash, not a lengthy time that can be
calculated. But the time issue has
always referred to the amount of time
one would have done public penance
Celebrating jubilee justice 2000
T he year 2000, the jubilee year, is a marvelous time to begin to be serious
about the works of justice called for by the life and message of Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr. The scriptural sources for the jubilee and its call for forgiveness
and liberation found in Leviticus 25, Isaiah 61 and Luke 4 is the basis for this
year’s theme as well as the reading for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time for
Cycle B.
T his year’s packet of prayers and activities to celebrate the Martin Luther
King, Jr., holiday from home, school, church, parish and community
includes other reading from scripture and other sources, as well as hymns and
creative prayers to prepare for the holiday, to celebrate the holiday, itself, and to
incorporate its message into the Sunday liturgy. There are also prayers and activ
ities for families and reflections and suggestions for justice-action for churches,
parishes, college communities, small faith-sharing groups, ministry groups, reli
gious communities, etc., to be used all year long and into the coming decade.
Copies of Celebrating Jubilee Justice are available from the Office of African
American Ministry, 601 East Liberty Street for $20.00 each (price includes
postage and handling).
Office of African American Ministry
Catholic Diocese of Savannah
601 East Liberty Street
Savannah, Georgia 31401
(912) 238-2320
Fax (912) 238-2339
Please send me
copies of Celebrating Jubilee Justice $15 per copy plus $5 postage and han
dling.
Name/Title:
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in the early church, not to divisions of
time in eternity.
Since all of this seems to get into
spiritual mathematics, it can be found
a bit repulsive to some. Again, there
is no need to make it the centerpiece
of your spirituality.
But do not throw out all the good
aspects: the Communion of Saints, the
need for penance for sins committed,
the redeeming value in God’s eyes of
human suffering when it is united to
Christ’s for the benefit of all.
The Most Rev. Rembert G. Weakland,
OSB, is Archbishop of Milwaukee.
Reprinted with permission from the
Milwaukee Catholic Herald.
The Southern Cross, Page 11
Father Smith
(Continued from page 5)
our diocesan outreach to the very
large number of Hispanics who have
moved into South Georgia these past
ten years. This involves a constant
effort to understand and speak their
language. But I also want very much
to appreciate their culture and reli
gious traditions, and see how we can
help them live our Catholic faith in
this country so unfamiliar to them. I
believe God has sent them to be a
source of new life and light for south
Georgia Catholicism.
Father Michael H. Smith, V.F., is
pastor of Holy Redeemer, McRae,
and Saint Mark, Eastman.
Catholic College Scholarship
available from diocese
T he Catholic College Scholarship application for the Diocese of Savannah is
now available for students attending Catholic colleges.
Applicants must be Catholic and belong to the Diocese of Savannah. They
must be at least high school seniors. Applicants must have a satisfactory acade
mic record, leadership ability, good character references and some financial
need. They should be active and participating in the life and service of their
parishes and schools. Scholarships are for one year only. Reapplication is nec
essary for renewal.
Call the Catholic Schools Office (912-238-2344) for an application to be
mailed to you. The deadline for returning the application is February 11.
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