That Christianity gives joy and breadth is also a thread that runs through my whole life. Ultimately someone who is always only in opposition could not endure life at all.
Certainly, it is difficult to make the demands of the Gospel understandable to secularized people. But this pastoral difficulty must not lead to compromises with the truth.
Assuredly, the word of truth can be painful and uncomfortable. But it is the way to holiness, to peace, and to inner freedom. A pastoral approach which truly wants to help the people concerned must always be grounded in the truth. In the end, only the truth can be pastoral.
No one is forced to be a Christian. But no one should be forced to live according to the "new religion" as though it alone were definitive and obligatory for all mankind.
Those who with God's help have welcomed Christ's call and freely responded to it are urged on by love of Christ to proclaim the Good News everywhere in the world.
An unusually good entry on the Catholic Herald entitled "Why Catholics should defend indulgences" gives a good account on indulgences.
It is a very good explanation on why they are a good that should not only be defended but promoted, and shows that it is entirely in line with Christian apostolic tradition.
Distinctions Matter
Distinctions Matter Forward
Missale Romanum
Pre-1951 Calendar