In The Tablet, Robert Mickens on indulgences and Benedict’s revival of them

Benedict has proclaimed three occasions for plenary indulgences during these past ten months: World Youth Day, the 40th anniversary of the conclusion of Vatican II, and most recently, the World Day of the Sick. Mickens gives some background, particularly on the Conciliar (as in Vatican II) and post-Conciliar discussions. He concludes that Benedict is on the Indulgence Train for a couple of reasons:

Since then Pope Benedict has indicated that he will make indulgences much more visible than his immediate post-Conciliar predecessors. There are good reasons for this. Theologically, the Pope seems to be emphasising the medieval doctrine – codified at Trent – of the “economy of salvation” and the necessity of the Church. And politically he is making direct appeal to those Catholics – both those still in communion with Rome and those like the Lefebvrists that are in schism – who feel the practice of indulgences and the doctrine of Purgatory have been almost irreparably minimised.

But by revising the granting of the indulgence, Pope Benedict is actually doing nothing new at all. But the words of Paul VI in his 1967 document might offer a further clue to the new Pope’s motives: “We ought not to forget that when they try to gain indulgences the faithful submit with docility to the lawful pastors of the Church. Above all, they acknowledge the authority of the successor of Blessed Peter, the key-bearer of heaven. To them the Saviour himself entrusted the task of feeding his flock and ruling his Church.”

Ah, so Mickens claims that it’s all about Benedict shaking the keys, making sure the world knows he’s got ’em. Well, that’s his opinion.