Indulgences

From the CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, SIMPLIFIED

prev : next

Plenary and Partial (1471)

Indulgences are closely linked to the sacrament. An indulgence is the remission of the temporal
punishment due to already forgiven sin. This remission comes from the action of the Church,
which dispenses from its spiritual treasury. A plenary indulgence removes all temporal punishment
due to sin. A partial indulgence removes part of the temporal punishment.

Hell and Purgatory (1472-1473)

Sin has "a double consequence." Grave sin brings "eternal punishment" (depriving the person of
heaven). All sins, even venial, must be purified either on earth or in purgatory. These two
punishments come not from God's vengeance but from the very nature of sin. A conversion made
because of fervent charity can remove all punishment due to sin.
Often, even after eternal punishment is removed by God's forgiveness, a temporal punishment
remains. By patient acceptance of trials and by facing death serenely the Christian accepts
temporal punishment as a grace. By acts of penance, the person strives to put off the "old man"
and put on the "new man" (Eph 4:22-24).

The Church's Treasury (1474-1477)

The Christian is not alone in trying to purify himself. He is one with all other Christians in the
single mystical person of Christ.
A perennial link exists between the saints in heaven, the saints in purgatory, and the saints on
earth. There is a "wonderful exchange" whereby the holiness of one member profits everyone.
This is called the "Church's treasury", which has infinite value through Christ's merits gained by
his redemption.
The treasury also includes the immense and unfathomable merits of the Blessed Virgin Mary and
all the good works of those saints who have attained their own salvation and now cooperate in
saving their brothers/sisters in Christ (The Doctrine of Indulgences - #5).

Opening the Church Treasury (1478-1479)

By the power of binding and loosing, the Church intervenes for individual Christians and opens
her treasury so they can obtain the remission of temporal punishment due for sins. This should
spur them to works of devotion.
We can obtain this remission of punishment also for the souls in purgatory.

 prev : next
CatholiCity.com 1996-2016 The Mary Foundation