Twitter Indulgences

[BG45]

Every anti-Catholic on my FB feed has posted this today:

 

One hell of a deal: Pope Francis offers reduced time in Purgatory for Catholics that follow him on Twitter

Court in charge of forgiveness of sins says those that follow upcoming event via social media will be granted indulgences

 

Salvation – or at least a shorter stay in Purgatory – might now be only a tweet away with news that Pope Francis is to offer “indulgences” – remissions for temporary punishment – to the faithful who follow him on the social media site.

 

Around 1.5 million are expected to flock to Rio de Janeiro to celebrate World Youth Day with the Argentine pontiff later this month. But for those who can’t make it to Brazil,  forgiveness may be available to contrite sinners who follow Francis’s progress via their TV screen or social networks.

 

The Sacred Apostolic Penitentiary, the Vatican court that rules on the forgiveness of sins, has said that indulgences may be given to those who follow the “rites and pious exercises” of the event on television, radio and through social media.

 

The Penitentiary said that Pope Francis' Twitter account, which has already gathered seven million followers, would be one such medium.

 

Vatican officials, noted however, that to obtain indulgences over the internet or otherwise, believers would first have to confess their sins, offer prayers and attend Mass.

 

“You can't obtain indulgences like getting a coffee from a vending machine,” Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli, head of the pontifical council for social communication, told the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.

 

 

 

Can anyone find the actual announcement of this, or is it just the British media making up stories again?

[arfink]

I still haven't seen the source. And even if it is true, I imagine all the usual requirements apply, including due devotion, going to confession, a complete detachment from all sins, etc etc.

[BG45]

I saw The Guardian's piece, which did say what you said about the usual requirements applying, but was quoting "anonymous" officials.  x.x

[BG45]

Just posted this on my wall on FB, it sums up everything I'm questioning about this story:

Every time someone reposts "Twitter Indulgences" all I can think is, "Why is the official announcement nowhere on the Vatican's site? Why is the one named source for this not mentioning it on his site? Why are all the papers quoting one another instead of someone at the Vatican? Who are the 'anonymous officials' some of them claim to be quoting? Where is the media giving an explanation of what Purgatory is and what indulgences are, rather than going all 'look, selling salvation lawlz'? When is someone going to mention that even if it was true, the normal caveats would apply like: Truly being sorry for one's sins, devotion to Jesus and His sacrifice for us, Mass, Confession, etc."

[Basilisa Marie]

Yes, it's the British media LITERALLY making up stories again.

 

If I had to guess, the tiny nugget of truth might be found in that you can get an indulgence for going on a pilgrimage, and going to WYD counts as a pilgrimage, and if people try to make a "spiritual pilgrimage" to WYD via television and social media and prayer, they might also get in on the indulgence.  

 

I can't stand it when ignoramuses spout things about Catholicism all over the news.  :crazy:  

[BG45]

I think i agree totally with you BM, on all counts there.

 

Cmom just posted this link to the USCCB site for World Youth Day, no mention of it there: http://www.usccb.org/about/world-youth-day/index.cfm

 

Nor on Pope Francis's Twitter.

[sixpence]

I am calling shenanigans until I see something from the Church on it.

[BG45]

Sixpence just found this:  http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/tribunals/apost_penit/documents/rc_trib_appen_doc_20130709_decreto-indulgenze-gmg_it.html

 

Using Google Translate, so this may not be perfect:

D E C T O R E

 

Of the Apostolic Penitentiary

 

with which they are granted special indulgences

at the XXVIII World Youth Day

[Rio de Janeiro, 22 to 29 July 2013]

 

 

 

RIO DE JANEIRO

 

DECREE

 

It grants the gift of Indulgences at the "XXVIII World Youth Day," which will be celebrated in Rio de Janeiro during the current Year of Faith.

 

The Holy Father Francis, wishing that young people, in union with the spiritual goals of the Year of Faith, announced by Pope Benedict XVI, can achieve the desired fruits of sanctification by the "XXVIII World Youth Day," which will be held from 22 to 29 of the next month of July in Rio de Janeiro and its theme will be: "Go and make disciples of all nations (cf. Mt 28: 19)", at the Audience granted to the undersigned on June 3 Cardinal Major Penitentiary, showing the heart mother of the Church, from the Treasury of the satisfactions of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the Saints, granted that young people and all the faithful properly prepared could enjoy the gift of Indulgences as follows:

 

a. - is granted a plenary indulgence, obtainable once a day under the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff) and also applicable to suffrage to the souls of the faithful departed, through the faithful truly repentant and contrite, who will devotedly participate in the sacred rites and religious practices which will take place in Rio de Janeiro.

 

The faithful legitimately impeded, they may obtain the Plenary Indulgence if, by complying with the usual spiritual, sacramental and prayer, with the purpose of filial submission to the Roman Pontiff, to participate spiritually in the sacred functions in certain days, provided follow these same rites and pious exercises while performing, or via television and radio, always with due devotion, through the new means of social communication;

 

b. - Partial Indulgence is granted to the faithful, wherever they are during the above-mentioned meeting, every time, at least with a contrite spirit, they will raise fervent prayers to God, concluding with the official prayer of the World Youth Day, and pious invocations to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Brazil, under the title of "Nossa Senhora da Conceição Aparecida", as well as other patrons and Intercessors of the same meeting, that encourage young people to grow stronger in the faith and to lead a holy life.

 

In order that the faithful may more easily obtain these heavenly gifts, priests legitimately approved to hear sacramental confessions, with a ready and generous lend themselves to receive them and propose to the faithful public prayers for the success of the same " World Youth Day. "

 

This Decree is valid for this event. Despite anything to the contrary.

 

Given in Rome, at the Offices of the Apostolic Penitentiary, June 24, year of our Lord, 2013, the feast of St. John the Baptist.

 

 

 

Cardinal Manuel Monteiro de Castro

Major Penitentiary

 

Bishop Krzysztof Nykiel

Regent

[CatholicsAreKewl]

Lol this has to be a joke.

[Basilisa Marie]

Called it. :)

[BG45]

Called it. :)

 

Yup you did! :)
 

[cappie]

While social media spread the benefits of pilgrimage, you can’t confess on Twitter: http://cvcomment.org/2013/07/18/while-social-media-spread-the-benefits-of-pilgrimage-you-cant-confess-on-twitter/

[Era Might]

The Onion used this story in their "man on the street" segment lol:

 

• 

  “Boy, you can get some great deals on Twitter.”

  Sara Hanable – 
  Operations Manager

• 

  “That’s a relief. I have a big week of sinning planned.”

  Ron Castro – 
  Circuit Breaker Assembler

• 

  “Has anyone ever considered staging a doctrinal protest against such notions?”

  Roger Farmer – 
  Harpist