Editing Indulgence (section)

=== Present discipline ===
{{canon law}}
{{Further|Indulgentiarum Doctrina}}

By the [[apostolic constitution]] {{lang|la|Indulgentiarum doctrina}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/P6INDULG.HTM|title=Pope Paul VI. ''Indulgentiarum doctrina'', January 1, 1967}}</ref> of 1 January 1967, [[Pope Paul VI]], responding to suggestions made at the [[Second Vatican Council]], substantially revised the practical application of the traditional doctrine.<ref name=EnChr >''The encyclopedia of Christianity, Volume 2'' by Erwin Fahlbusch 2001 {{ISBN|90-04-11695-8}} page 695</ref>

[[File:Socvillegas4jf.JPG|thumb|upright=1.5|left|[[Archbishop]] [[Socrates B. Villegas]] bestows the [[Easter Sunday|Easter]] Mass Plenary Indulgence in 2012 (St. John the Evangelist Metropolitan Cathedral, [[Dagupan]], Philippines).]]
Paul VI made it clear that the Catholic Church's aim was not merely to help the faithful make due satisfaction for their sins, but chiefly to bring them to greater fervour of charity. For this purpose he decreed that partial indulgences, previously granted as the equivalent of a certain number of days, months, quarantines (forty-day periods) or years of canonical penance, simply supplement, and to the same degree, the remission that those performing the indulgenced action already gain by the charity and contrition with which they do it.<ref name="Oxford:Indulgences" />

The abolition of the classification by years and days made it clearer than before that repentance and faith are required not only for remission of eternal punishment for mortal sin but also for remission of temporal punishment for sin. In {{lang|la|Indulgentiarum doctrina}}, Pope Paul VI wrote that indulgences cannot be gained without a sincere conversion of outlook and unity with God.<ref name="indulgence">{{Cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_p-vi_apc_01011967_indulgentiarum-doctrina.html|title=Indulgentiarum Doctrina (January 1, 1967) &#124; Paul VI|website=www.vatican.va}}</ref>{{rp|§11}}

In the same bill, Pope Paul ordered that the official list of indulgenced prayers and good works, called the ''[[Raccolta]]'', be revised "with a view to attaching indulgences only to the most important prayers and works of piety, charity and penance".<ref>''Indulgentiarum doctrina'', norm 13</ref> The ''Raccolta'' was replaced with the {{lang|la|Enchiridion Indulgentiarum}}. While a number of indulgenced prayers and good works were removed from the list, it now includes new general grants of partial indulgences that apply to a wide range of prayerful actions, and it indicates that the prayers that it does list as deserving veneration on account of divine inspiration or antiquity or as being in widespread use are only examples<ref>''Enchiridion Indulgentiarum, Aliae concessiones, Proœmium'', 2</ref> of those to which the first of these general grants applies: "Raising the mind to God with humble trust while performing one's duties and bearing life's difficulties, and adding, at least mentally, some pious invocation".<ref>''Enchiridion Indulgentiarum, Concessiones'', I</ref> In this way, the {{lang|la|Enchiridion Indulgentiarum}}, in spite of its smaller size, classifies as indulgenced an immensely greater number of prayers than were treated as such in the ''Raccolta''.

Canons 992–997<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.intratext.com|title=IntraText Digital Library|first=EuloTech IntraText dLib-Digital Library|last=System|website=www.intratext.com}}</ref> of the [[1983 Code of Canon Law]] provide a general regulation of indulgences.

====Subjects who have the power to grant indulgences====
Both partial and plenary indulgences can be granted by the diocesan [[bishop]] or [[eparch]], by the [[major archbishop]],  [[Metropolitan bishop|metropolitan]] and [[patriarch]], by the [[Cardinal (Catholic Church)|cardinal]], as well as by the Pope and the [[Apostolic Penitentiary]].<ref>''[[Enchiridion Indulgentiarum]]'', ''Normae de indulgentiis'', nn. 6-10, Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 4th edition, 2004, pp. 22-23. {{ISBN|88-209-2785-3}}</ref>

For patriarchs this applies in the individual localities of the patriarchate, in churches that follow the specific rite of the patriarchate beyond its borders, and everywhere for the faithful of their own rite.<ref>''[[Enchiridion Indulgentiarum]]'', ''Normae de indulgentiis'', n. 9, Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 4th edition, 2004, p. 23. {{ISBN|88-209-2785-3}}. Quote: "Patriarchae in singulis locis sui patriarchatus, etsi exemptis, in ecclesiis sui ritus extra terminos patriarchatus, et ubique pro fidelibus sui ritus possunt"...</ref>

Cardinal bishops enjoy the faculty of granting only partial indulgence in any place. This indulgence can be purchased only by those who are present in the individual places from time to time.<ref>''[[Enchiridion Indulgentiarum]]'', ''Normae de indulgentiis'', n. 10, Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 4th edition, 2004, p. 23. {{ISBN|88-209-2785-3}}. Quote: "H.R. Cardinales facultate gaudente concessionand ubique indulgentiam partialem a praesentibus solummodo, singulis vicibus, acquirendam".</ref>

====Actions for which indulgences are granted====
[[Image:Stradanus engraving.jpg|thumb|A 1948 reproduction of the [[Stradanus engraving]], a 17th-century certificate for indulgences, in return for cash contributions to build a shrine]]

=====Partial indulgences=====
There are four general grants of indulgence, which are meant to encourage the faithful to infuse a Christian spirit into the actions of their daily lives and to strive for perfection of charity. These indulgences are partial, and their worth therefore depends on the fervour with which the person performs the recommended actions:
# Raising the mind to God with humble trust while performing one's duties and bearing life's difficulties, and adding, at least mentally, some pious invocation.
# Devoting oneself or one's goods compassionately in a spirit of faith to the service of one's brothers and sisters in need.
# Freely abstaining in a spirit of penance from something licit and pleasant.
# Freely giving open witness to one's faith before others in particular circumstances of everyday life.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

According to the 1968 Enchiridion of Indulgences, a partial indulgence is granted to the faithful for the following actions if done in conjunction with the receiving of the Sacraments of [[Eucharist in the Catholic Church|Communion]] and [[Sacrament of Penance|Penance]] as well as praying an intention for the [[Pope]]:<ref name="catholic.org">{{Cite web|url=https://www.catholic.org/prayers/indulgw.php|title=The Enchiridion of Indulgences - Prayers|first=Catholic|last=Online|website=Catholic Online}}</ref>
* making an act of faith, hope, charity, contrition, or spiritual communion
* spending some time in mental prayer
* penitentially praying such prayers as the…
** Hidden God (Adoro te devote)
** To You O Blessed Joseph (Ad te beate Ioseph)
** certain prayers from the [[Roman Breviary]] (We Give You Thanks, Lord God Almighty, Let Us Pray for our Sovereign Pontiff, O Sacred Banquet, Holy Mary Help of the Helpless, Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, Visit We Beg You O Lord)
** Angel of God
** Angel of the Lord
** Soul of Christ (Anima Christi)
** Hear Us (Roman Ritual)
** May it Please you O Lord
** Eternal Rest
** Hail Holy Queen
** We Fly To Your Patronage
** Come Holy Spirit
** [[Litany]] of the Name of Jesus, of the Heart of Jesus, of the Blood of Jesus, of the Virgin Mary, of Saint Joseph, or of All Saints
** Little Office of the Passion, of the Heart of Jesus, of the Immaculate Conception, or of Saint Joseph
** Apostles' Creed 
** Nicene Creed 
** Lauds or Vespers of the Office of the Dead 
** Psalm 50
** Psalm 129
** Magnificat
** Memorare (Remember O Most Gracious Virgin Mary)
* teaching or learning Christian doctrine
* visiting a Christian catacomb
* praying for sacerdotal or religious vocations
* praying for the return of non-Catholic Christians to the Catholic Church
* making the Sign of the Cross
* renewal of baptismal promises

=====Plenary indulgences=====
Among the particular grants, which, on closer inspection, will be seen to be included in one or more of the four general grants, especially the first, the {{lang|la|Enchiridion Indulgentiarum}} draws special attention<ref name="ReferenceA"/> to four activities for which a plenary indulgence can be gained on any day, though only once a day:
# Piously reading or listening to [[Bible|Sacred Scripture]] for at least half an hour.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
# [[Eucharistic adoration|Adoration]] of Jesus in the [[Eucharist]] for at least half an hour.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
# The pious exercise of the [[Stations of the Cross]].<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
# Recitation of the [[Rosary]] or the [[Akathist]] in a church or oratory, or in a family, a religious community, an association of the faithful and, in general, when several people come together for an honourable purpose.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

The prayers specifically mentioned in the {{lang|la|Enchiridion Indulgentiarum}} are not of the [[Latin Church]] tradition alone, but also from the traditions of the [[Eastern Catholic Churches]], such as the [[Akathistos]], [[Paraklesis]], ''Evening Prayer'', and ''Prayer for the Faithful Departed'' (Byzantine), ''Prayer of Thanksgiving'' (Armenian), ''Prayer of the Shrine'' and the ''Lakhu Mara'' (Chaldean), ''Prayer of Incense'' and ''Prayer to Glorify Mary the Mother of God'' (Coptic), ''Prayer for the Remission of Sins'' and ''Prayer to Follow Christ'' (Ethiopian), ''Prayer for the Church'', and ''Prayer of Leave-taking from the Altar'' (Maronite), and ''Intercessions for the Faithful Departed'' (Syrian).

Besides the above actions, the 1968 Enchiridion of Indulgences lists the following actions as granting a plenary indulgence:<ref name="catholic.org"/>
* First Communion
* first Mass of a newly ordained priest

======Special indulgences======
A plenary indulgence may also be gained on some occasions, which are not everyday occurrences. They include but are not limited to:
* Receiving, even by radio or television, the blessing given by the Pope {{lang|la|[[Urbi et Orbi]]}} ('to the city [of Rome] and to the world') or that which a bishop is authorized to give three times a year to the faithful of his diocese.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
* Taking part devoutly in the celebration of a day devoted on a world level to a particular religious purpose.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Under this heading come the annual celebrations such as the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, and occasional celebrations such as [[World Youth Day]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wyd2008.org/index.php/en/media__1/news_archives/plenary_indulgence |work=[[World Youth Day 2008]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070902132854/http://www.wyd2008.org/index.php/en/media__1/news_archives/plenary_indulgence |archive-date=2 September 2007 |title=Plenary Indulgence |access-date=2 November 2019 |year=2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cairns.catholic.org.au/wyd2008/journey.html |title=World Youth Day 2008, Cairns, Queensland, Australia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071206135404/http://www.cairns.catholic.org.au/wyd2008/journey.html |archive-date=6 December 2007 |access-date=2 November 2019 |date=15 October 2007 |first=Ben |last=O'Donoghue |work=Catholic Diocese of Cairns}}</ref>
*Taking part for at least three full days in a [[retreat (spiritual)|spiritual retreat]].<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
*Taking part in some functions during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

Special indulgences are also granted on occasions of particular spiritual significance such as a [[Jubilee (Christianity)|jubilee year]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ewtn.com/jubilee/indulgence/index.htm |title=The Great Jubilee Indulgence |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528093302/http://www.ewtn.com/Jubilee/indulgence/index.htm |archive-date=28 May 2019 |access-date=2 November 2019 |work=Jubilee 2000|publisher=[[Ewtn.com]]}}</ref> or the centenary or similar anniversary of an event such as the apparition of [[Our Lady of Lourdes]].<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/tribunals/apost_penit/documents/rc_trib_appen_doc_20071121_decreto-lourdes_en.html |title=Grant of indulgence on the occasion of the 150th apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Lourdes |date=21 November 2007 |access-date=2 November 2019 |first=Cardinal James Francis |last=Stafford |author-link=James Francis Stafford |editor-first=Gianfranco |editor-last=Girotti |editor-link=Gianfranco Girotti |journal=[[Vatican.va]]}}</ref>

======Apostolic Blessing======
Of particular significance is the plenary indulgence attached to the [[Apostolic Blessing]] that a priest is to impart when giving the sacraments to a person in danger of death, and which, if no priest is available, the church grants to any rightly disposed Christian at the moment of death, on condition that that person was accustomed to say some prayers during life. In this case the church itself makes up for the three conditions normally required for a plenary indulgence: sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer for the Pope's intentions.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

=====Coronavirus plenary indulgences=====

On 20 March 2020, the [[Apostolic Penitentiary]] issued three plenary indulgences.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2020/03/20/200320c.html|title=Decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary on the granting of special Indulgences to the faithful in the current pandemic|website=press.vatican.va}}</ref><ref name=VaticanNews20Mar2020>{{cite news|url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2020-03/church-grants-special-indulgence-coronavirus-patients.html|title=Church grants special indulgence to coronavirus patients and caregivers|author=Benedict Mayaki|date=20 March 2020|work=Vatican News|access-date=23 March 2020|language=en}}</ref> 
* The first indulgence was for victims of [[Coronavirus disease 2019|COVID-19]] and those helping them. The actions that the indulgence was attached to included praying the rosary, the [[Stations of the Cross]], or at least praying the [[Apostles' Creed|Creed]], [[Lord's Prayer]], and a [[Marian devotions|Marian prayer]]. 
*The second plenary indulgence was for the victims of COVID-19 at their hour of death.
*The third indulgence was for those who made an offering for an "end of the epidemic, relief for those who are afflicted and eternal salvation for those whom the Lord has called to Himself." The offering was either a visit to the Eucharist, [[Eucharistic adoration]], [[Rosary]], Stations of the Cross, [[Chaplet of the Divine Mercy]], or reading the Bible for half an hour. 
The Penitentiary took the extraordinary step of loosening the requirements regarding sacramental Communion and Confession, due to the impossibility of carrying them out in a timely fashion during lockdowns and suspension of liturgies in the pandemic.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ncregister.com/blog/joseph-pronechen/vatican-grants-special-plenary-indulgences-during-coronavirus|title=Here's How You Can Get the Vatican's New Coronavirus Indulgences|website=National Catholic Register|date=24 March 2020 |access-date=2020-03-27}}</ref> The Vatican has also reminded Catholics that, in cases where sacramental confession is impossible, an act of perfect [[contrition]] grants one forgiveness of sin.<ref>[https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2018-12/the-act-of-contrition-sacrament-reconciliation-confession.html Vatican News: Act of Contrition and Sacrament of Reconciliation] Should we be in need of forgiveness of mortal sin, and cannot for some reason go to confession, a perfect Act of Contrition is needed along with the intention of going to confession as soon as possible.</ref>