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I have a question about gaining a Plenary
Indulgence.
I have been chosen to be a Confirmation sponsor
and learned that before the Confirmation,
the parish priest will be offering a general
absolution. One of the requirements for gaining
a plenary indulgence is sacramental
Confession/absolution.
I am not conscious of mortal sin, but
just wondering, if I can receive the wonderful
gift of a plenary indulgence along with
the priest's absolution?
Thank you very much!
Angelo
{
Is a general absolution enough and can receive a plenary indulgence with
the priest's absolution? }
Mike
replied:
Hi, Angelo —
In answering your question, for the
benefit of others, let me state what
the Catechism says on this issue:
1471 The doctrine and practice of indulgences in the Church are closely linked to the effects of the sacrament of Penance.
What is an indulgence?
"An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain prescribed conditions through the action of the Church which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of the satisfactions of Christ and the saints." (Pope St. Paul VI, Apostolic Constitution, Indulgentiarum Doctrina, Norm 1)
"An indulgence is partial or plenary according as it removes either part or all of the temporal punishment due to sin." (Indulgentiarum Doctrina, Norm 2; cf. Norm 3) The faithful can gain indulgences for themselves or apply them to the dead. (Code of Canon Law, canon 994. 84Cf. Council of Trent (1551): DS 1712-1713; (1563): 1820)
See also:
2 Corinthians 2:6-11 St. Paul himself issued an indulgence by
lessening the temporal penance for sin of a straying brother.
I'm concerned that your pastor has
chosen to administer general absolution
for Confirmation.
Private, individual Confession is more appropriate under normal
circumstances.
1483 In case of grave necessity recourse may be had to a communal celebration of reconciliation with general confession and general absolution. Grave necessity of this sort can arise when there is imminent danger of death without sufficient time for the priest or priests to hear each penitent's confession. Grave necessity can also exist when, given the number of penitents, there are not enough confessors to hear individual confessions properly in a reasonable time, so that the penitents through no fault of their own would be deprived of sacramental grace or Holy Communion for a long time. In this case, for the absolution to be valid the faithful must have the intention of individually confessing their grave sins in the time required. (cf. Code of Canon Law, canon 962 #1)
The diocesan bishop is the judge of whether or not the conditions required for general absolution exist. (cf. Code of Canon Law, canon 961 § 2) A large gathering of the faithful on the occasion of major feasts or pilgrimages does not constitute a case of grave necessity. (cf. Code of Canon Law, canon 961 § 1)
I would make sure your local bishop
is aware of what your pastor is doing. I have never heard of a Plenary indulgence that has a general absolution as a requirement, and even is there was one, for the Confession to be valid, the faithful must have the intention of confessing their sins privately to a priest.
You said:
I am not conscious of mortal sin, but
just wondering, if I can receive the wonderful
gift of a plenary indulgence along with
the priest's absolution?
If you individually confess all your
sins, including any known mortal
sins and:
do the prescribed
prayers or actions, that
were attached to the indulgence
when it was granted by the
Church; usually:
a set of Our Fathers and Hail Mary's
for the intentions of the
Holy Father, and
some other action(s), then . . .
Yes, you may receive this wonderful
gift of a plenary indulgence that
should be promoted more within each
diocese . . . but with care, so we
don't repeat the mistakes that lead
up to the Reformation.
The requirements for a plenary indulgence can vary depending on when and by whom it was given. If you are unsure, talk to your pastor, priest, or other pious Catholic friends at your parish.
I hope this answers your question.
Mike
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