Lutherans in the news. .

[KagomeShuko]

Lutherans Reject Catholic Practice Of Indulgence
Wolfgang Polzer, Assist News Service

A Catholic practice, which gave rise to Martin Luther's reformation in the 16th century, has surfaced again as a topical issue 500 years later. Pope Benedict XVI has promised the approximately 800,000 participants of the current World Youth Day in Cologne total indulgence, provided they confess their sins, repent and receive Holy Communion. Non-participants may receive partial indulgence if they pray earnestly for a courageous Christian testimony at the mass event. The idea of indulgence is tied to the Catholic teaching of purgatory. In short, it means that temporal punishments for sins in the hereafter can be avoided or shortened by repentance and good deeds in this life. Luther protested not only against the malpractice but also against this Catholic teaching in principle, as the leading Bishop of the United Evangelical Lutheran Church in Germany, Hans Christian Knuth, points out. Lutherans cannot accept purgatory and indulgence, even in a reformed modern Catholic understanding, as the Bishop emphasized in an interview with the evangelical news agency "idea". The teaching of purgatory and indulgence is, in his words, neither in keeping with the Bible nor the central articles of the Christian faith. The wages of sin cannot be removed by any human action, but only by the grace of God and through faith in Jesus Christ. Neither can His redemption be supplemented with good deeds.

[Colabomb]

So someone who can make it to WYD can get an absolution better than that of a Catholic who has a job? Or is of limited means? Or is old?

Wow, I just became slightly more lutheran.

[DailyBlessings]

The old battles die hard, hm?

"Whene'er the coin in the coffer rings
A soul from Purgatory springs!!"

[LutherNut]

In actuality, the Roman Catholic Church has never stopped selling or giving out indulgences.

I remember reading an old RC Bible and in the first few pages was an explanation on how one could receive an indulgence of a certain number of years by reading the Gospels and then kissing the pages while saying a certain prayer. ...and people call me "The Nut"!

[isshinwhat]

So someone who can make it to WYD can get an absolution better than that of a Catholic who has a job? Or is of limited means? Or is old?

No. Absolution would have already been given, as forgiveness is obtained before an Indulgence can be obtained. In addition, there are many was to gain an Indulgence that are within the means of any Catholic. Just say a Rosary or read your Bible!

God Bless, and thank you again for the Grail donations.

Neal

[Tetzel]

In actuality, the Roman Catholic Church has never stopped selling or giving out indulgences.

I remember reading an old RC Bible and in the first few pages was an explanation on how one could receive an indulgence of a certain number of years by reading the Gospels and then kissing the pages while saying a certain prayer. ...and people call me "The Nut"!

That's right! A couple from my childhood parish was in Washington DC and happened to sign the guest registry of the National Cathedral. Several weeks later they got an indulgence in the mail. As Lutherans they were quite amused.

[JVAC]

That's right! A couple from my childhood parish was in Washington DC and happened to sign the guest registry of the National Cathedral. Several weeks later they got an indulgence in the mail. As Lutherans they were quite amused.
They gave out indulgences when the Cathedral in my town celebrated 100 years. I have attained a few by participating in the 14 stations. If the Roman's are right I'll have a leg up on all y'all ;).

-James

[romaneagle13]

That's right! A couple from my childhood parish was in Washington DC and happened to sign the guest registry of the National Cathedral. Several weeks later they got an indulgence in the mail. As Lutherans they were quite amused.

National Cathedral? :scratch: Maybe you mean the Basilica (The Shrine of the Immaculate Conception) in Washington DC. The National Cathedral is Episcopalian. And we don't believe in the practice of indulgences any more than you all do! :)

[Tetzel]

National Cathedral? :scratch: Maybe you mean the Basilica (The Shrine of the Immaculate Conception) in Washington DC. The National Cathedral is Episcopalian. And we don't believe in the practice of indulgences any more than you all do! :)

You must be correct. Sorry for the mistake.

[isshinwhat]

If the Roman's are right I'll have a leg up on all y'all

If you meet the conditions necessary to gain an Indulgence, you just might!

"...for plenary indulgences, confession and Communion are usually required, while for partial indulgences, though confession is not obligatory, the formula corde saltem contrito, i.e. "at least with a contrite heart ", is the customary prescription."

God bless you guys,

Neal

[RedneckAnglican]

yeah...well I pray the rosary...I ought to be in good shape...

[KagomeShuko]

Lutherans Vote Against Ordaining Active Homosexuals
Baptist Press

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America chose not to follow the example of ordaining active homosexual clergy set by the Episcopal Church. Lutherans, at their national assembly in Orlando Aug. 12, voted 503-490 against a measure that would have allowed bishops and church districts to ordain homosexuals who were in a long-term relationship and met other restrictions, according to the Associated Press. The rule change would have needed a two-thirds majority to pass. Delegates in the nation's largest Lutheran denomination also voted against an amendment that would have given pastors permission to bless same-sex unions, The New York Times reported. The three measures were the culmination of three years of work by a special church task force charged with examining the issue of homosexuality within the ELCA. "This church is not ready to make major changes in its ordination practices," New Jersey Synod Bishop Roy Riley told AP. "That was the crux, really." The 4.9 million-member denomination also voted 851-127 in favor of keeping the church unified despite differences over homosexuality. The presiding bishop, Mark Hanson, said during a news conference following the meeting that he hoped homosexuals understand that they are welcome in Lutheran churches despite the votes.