Indulgences controversy breaks out over World Youth Day

"Catechism for Käßmann". This is the name of an action with which Catholic bloggers from the German-speaking world have been reacting for a few days now against statements made by Margot Käßmann, the Protestant regional bishop of Hanover, and sent Käßmann a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church for further training at the end of August.

In an interview with IDEA on the occasion of World Youth Day, the Protestant church representative had criticized the teachings of the Catholic Church and, in particular, indulgences. Literally, Käßmann said: "In addition, the Pope has promised all World Youth Day participants the indulgence of their sins. We must once again make it very clear that our understanding is very different, as Luther already expressed it in 1517 in his theses. It is not men who can absolve from sins, but we are entirely dependent on the grace of God."

In the week following World Youth Day, those responsible for the "Catechism for Käßmann" campaign reminded Käßmann in a dispatch that Catholic doctrine is not about absolving sins, but about purifying people from the consequences of sin after sins have been forgiven, the so-called temporal penalties of sin. "Perhaps Mrs. Käßmann has only formulated in a misleading way, but perhaps she has also confused the Catholic concepts of confession and indulgence. We as Catholics want to help Ms. Käßmann as a fellow Christian to better understand the Catholic faith."

The response from the state bishop came posthaste. Through Ute Neveling-Wienkamp, Margot Käßmann let it be known on September 7 that the website "Catechism for Käßmann" was simply "in bad taste. Literally, the letter says: "You can assume that Dr. Dr. h.c. Käßmann is well versed in ecumenical issues and does not need your tutoring on this point. For this reason, as you see, you will receive the catechism back. You will certainly find another use for it."

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