Tradition is one of the most powerful forces that influence long-standing religions. As with almost any aspect of human interaction, religions often look to the past in matters of doctrine and practice.Usually, relying on tradition is beneficial — a way of linking believers with a long history of faith, a way of connecting with religious beliefs rooted in the ancient past. Tradition is also a powerful means of stabilizing a community, of using tried and true methods of managing a congregation.But tradition can also cause problems, especially when relied upon too heavily.No organization or religion is as much testament to the powerful influence – both positive and negative – that tradition can have on the way it operates than the Catholic Church.Recently, the church has resurrected an ancient and controversial practice – indulgences. Indulgences remove “the temporal effects of sin,” specifically reducing or eliminating time spent in purgatory. It is important to note an indulgence does not forgive sins — it merely reduces the punishment caused by sins. Generally, indulgences are earned through some form of penance, like a pilgrimage or prayer ritual.The practice of offering indulgences fell out of favor, largely because of negative historical connotations the practice carried.In medieval times, widespread corruption within the church led to abuse of the indulgence tradition, when greedy clergy began selling them to the highest bidder and claiming they held powers beyond their intended scopes – namely, claiming they could absolve all sins.Martin Luther was extremely critical of the indulgence system of his day, and the system was one of the abuses of power that led to the Protestant Reformation.This year, the Vatican declared, in honor of one of the most influential Christians ever, anyone who makes a pilgrimage dedicated to St. Paul and gives a confession will be given a plenary indulgence, which removes the time the recipient spends in purgatory altogether.The church’s decision to reinstate a practice with such a storied and sordid past is raising some eyebrows.This is unfortunate because the tradition of indulgences is not in itself a questionable practice, and the common perception of indulgences is largely inaccurate.Indulgences are not, as the name might suggest, a way for wealthy individuals to use their money to indulge in sinful activities.  Nor are they a method of buying forgiveness. During the Council of Trent in 1563, the Catholic Church officially banned their sale.Neither can an indulgence be purchased for a future sin – a Catholic cannot earn an indulgence that will allow them to commit a sin free of retribution.The tradition of pilgrimage and penance as a way of proving repentance is a fundamental part of most religions, and few would take issue with its practice. And in the modern era — where far more people are educated, where institutions are held to higher standards and where news of suspect behavior spreads almost instantaneously — the potential for abusing indulgences is minimal.But, unfortunately for Catholics, the steadfastness of long-held traditions can sometimes prove to be a disadvantage.Although the church’s efforts are entirely innocent, it will prove extremely difficult – if not impossible – to overcome the stigma associated with the tradition. As long as the term “indulgences” exists, the shadow of their abuses in the distant past will continue to haunt public perception of their execution.As powerful and enriching as traditions can be, once those traditions are sullied, they will always bear a stain – even if that stain is more the fault of relatively few abusers than the real intent behind it.Matthew Albright is a 20-year old English and political science sophomore from Baton Rouge.–Contact Matthew Albright at [email protected]