The Biblical Jubilee and the Roman Catholic Holy Year: Twins or Strangers?

In the religious world and beyond, a mobilisation is underway for the 2025 Jubilee called by Pope Francis with the bull Spes non confundit (‘Hope does not disappoint’). Millions of people plan to make some kind of “pilgrimage” to Rome or the designated places, whether secular or religious. Indulgences are promised; holy doors are opened; medieval practices will be promoted.

Most people know that the word ‘jubilee’ comes from somewhere in the Bible. The Book of Leviticus, chapter 25, says that every 50 years a year was established to restore liveable conditions for all. The three basic provisions of the jubilee year were: The restitution of sold property, the freeing of slaves and the resting of the land. Clearly, this was something disruptive. The question is: How is it that the Roman Catholic Church calls what is going to happen in 2025 a ‘jubilee’?

The Jubilee of Jesus Christ, foreshadowed by the prophets and fulfilled by the Messiah, made ultimate forgiveness possible for believers. The Son of God paid the penalty and guilt of sins, and those who believed in Him were set free. Just as His sacrifice was unique, unique also is His forgiveness. Jesus Himself gives this forgiveness and does not give it to others to manage. The whole message of the Christian jubilee revolves around the person and work of Christ – the executor and guarantor of the jubilee – without providing for ecclesiastical involvements, mediations and administrations in remitting sins that only God can forgive.

Instead, the holy year called by the Vatican has the Roman Catholic Church at its centre in the role of dispenser of indulgences. The Bible says that Christ’s sacrifice was unique and final for the salvation of those who believe, and so the practice of indulgences questions – and indeed denies – the perfect efficacy of Jesus’ work. Instead of bringing one closer, indulgences distance one from the Jubilee of the Lord Jesus.

While it is true that jubilee was brought about by the Lord Jesus (e.g. Isaiah 61:1-3 and Luke 4:16-21), the church can only proclaim and practise it but not administer it, let alone make money from it. 2025 will certainly be a holy year of religious tradition, but it cannot be called a jubilee in the biblical sense.