An In-Depth Conversation with Prof. Rev. James Dominic Rooney

Hello and welcome! Today we’re privileged to bring you an insightful discussion with Father James Dominic Rooney, a professor at Hong Kong Baptist University. Father Rooney’s expertise spans theology, medieval philosophy, and its intersection with Chinese thought. In this interview, he helps us unpack a subject often misunderstood both within and outside the Catholic Church—indulgences.

Indulgences have long been a point of contention in conversations between Protestants and Catholics, particularly since the Reformation. Many people associate them with abuses from church history, while others have only heard the term mentioned vaguely in sermons. But what are indulgences really? How did they develop, and why do they still matter today?

Watch the Full Interview Here

What Exactly Is an Indulgence?

Father Rooney begins by turning to the Catholic Church’s own definition. According to Pope Paul VI’s 1967 document Indulgentiarum Doctrina, an indulgence is:

“The remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the Christian faithful…gains under certain prescribed conditions through the action of the Church.”

That’s quite a mouthful! In simpler terms, indulgences deal with what Catholics call the “temporal debt of punishment”—essentially, the lingering effects of sin that remain even after forgiveness.

Protestants often describe this ongoing struggle as sanctification—the process of being made holy. Even when sins are forgiven, the habits, tendencies, and attachments to sin still need healing. Indulgences are one way the Church supports this process of sanctification. Though unlike the Protestants, the Catholic Church does not distinguish between the moment of sanctification and justification.

The Three Truths Behind Indulgences

To understand indulgences, Father Rooney outlines three foundational truths of Catholic belief:

1. Sanctification is necessary. Even after forgiveness, Christians still need to grow in holiness.
2. The Church holds authority through the keys of the kingdom. This is exercised especially in the sacrament of reconciliation (confession).
3. The communion of saints helps us. Catholics believe that the prayers and merits of the saints can aid the faithful in their journey of sanctification.

When these three ideas come together, indulgences emerge as a way for the Church to “assign” the prayers of the entire community—living and departed—to certain acts of devotion, penance, or charity.

Historical Development and Misuse

The practice of indulgences didn’t appear overnight. In the early Church, penance was often public, lengthy, and severe, sometimes lasting years. Over time, bishops began commuting (reducing or substituting) these penances. This laid the groundwork for indulgences.

By the Middle Ages, indulgences became tied to good works such as pilgrimages, prayers, or even financial contributions to the Church. Here’s where abuse entered. Some indulgences were granted for donating money to church projects—including, infamously, the building of St. Peter’s Basilica. This gave the impressionthat salvation could be bought, fueling Martin Luther’s protest in 1517.

The Council of Trent (1545–1563) acknowledged these abuses and abolished the practice of granting indulgences in exchange for money. Today, the Catholic Church strictly prohibits such abuses, focusing instead on indulgences as devotional practices rooted in prayer, Scripture, and works of mercy.

Indulgences Today: A Devotion, Not a Transaction

Father Rooney emphasizes that indulgences today are simple and devotional. They are not magic formulas, nor are they about buying forgiveness. Instead, they are about deepening one’s union with God and the Church.

Examples of indulgenced practices include:

• Reading Scripture for 30 minutes
• Praying the Rosary with others
• Visiting a cemetery in November to pray for the dead
• Spending time in Eucharistic adoration

Indulgences can be plenary (remitting all temporal punishment) or partial (remitting some). The key, however, lies in one’s disposition: confession, receiving Communion, detachment from sin, and prayer for the intentions of the Pope are required.

Why Indulgences Are Misunderstood

Despite their theological depth, indulgences remain unfamiliar to many Catholics today. Father Rooney points to two main reasons:

1. Historical baggage. The association with medieval abuses makes indulgences difficult to explain without raising suspicions.
2. Neglect in preaching. Few priests preach or teach about indulgences, leaving the average Catholic unaware of this rich tradition.

Yet, as he argues, indulgences are nothing more than a practical way of living the communion of saints—praying and working together for each other’s sanctification.

How Protestants Might View Indulgences

From a Protestant perspective, indulgences often raise concerns about “works righteousness.” But when understood properly, indulgences aren’t about earning forgiveness—they are about participating in sanctification with the help of others.

The biblical foundation is clear:

• “Whoever brings back a sinner…will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:20).
• “Love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).
• “The prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective” (James 5:16).

Seen in this light, indulgences are simply one way the Church organizes and channels the prayers, penances, and merits of the faithful for the good of all.

Practical Takeaway: How to Obtain an Indulgence

If you’re interested in obtaining an indulgence, the process is simple:

1. Go to confession.
2. Receive Communion.
3. Pray for the Pope’s intentions.
4. Perform the indulgenced act (such as praying the Rosary or reading Scripture).
5. Detach from sin. Strive for an act of sincere contrition and love for God.

Even if you don’t achieve perfect detachment, the Church teaches you still gain a partial indulgence—so there’s never a wasted effort.

Why Indulgences Still Matter

At their heart, indulgences are not about transactions or loopholes. They are about:

• Growing in holiness (sanctification)
• Living the reality of the communion of saints
• Offering prayers for the living and the dead
• Deepening our union with Christ and His Church

In short, indulgences are an invitation to pray more, to love more, and to walk more closely with God.