Vatican Granting Indulgences To @Pontifex Twitter Followers
The Vatican has announced that “indulgences”, an allowance for repentant sinners which reduces the time they have to spend in purgatory, will be given to Catholics who follow one of the Pope’s @Pontifex Twitter accounts during World Youth Day.
The Pope joined Twitter in December, quickly expanding his presence with a number of language-specific Twitter accounts. However, this is the first time that the Catholic Church has updated one of its ancient traditions with a modern, social media, twist.
In the Middle Ages, indulgences could be bought for vast sums of money from mercenary clerics. Nowadays, the faithful can earn indulgences, for example, by doing charitable work, by abstaining from something enjoyable but not illicit, or by attending Catholic World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro on the July 22.
Just following the Pope on Twitter isn’t enough to earn an indulgence, however, according to Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli, the man in charge of the pontifical council for social communication. In an interview, the Archbishop told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera that "You can't obtain indulgences like getting a coffee from a vending machine".
To ensure an indulgence, those too far away to travel to Rio de Janeiro in July should not only follow the event live on Twitter, television and/or radio, but also pray, displaying "requisite devotion" throughout the week-long event, a penitentiary source told the Guardian newspaper.
A Facebook page has also been set up and, for those attending, an app with information about the event.
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Vatican Granting Indulgences To @Pontifex Twitter Followers
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