I found myself in agreement with most of Rosemary Breen’s comments about indulgences (Letters, 2 January). My 1950s missal contains numerous references to indulgences, both partial and plenary. Also shown are the number of months’ and sometimes years’ release from purgatory that may be obtained through prayer and good works. The Litany to Our Lady tops the charts at seven years!The Church has moved on since those pre-Vatican II days and perhaps it is now time to rethink this tradition which is incomprehensible to most Catholics. The message of the Year of Mercy is simple and meaningful. In the words of Pope Francis: “If we, all of us, accept the grace of Jesus Christ, he changes our heart and from sinners makes us saints.” Do we still need indulgences?John Bo