Indulgence
Latin indulgentia, "kindness, remission"
Definition
A remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins already forgiven, granted through the Church under prescribed conditions.
An indulgence does not forgive sin and cannot be bought. It addresses the lingering effects of sins already forgiven (CCC 1471). The Church draws on the "treasury" of the merits of Christ and the saints. A plenary indulgence ordinarily requires sacramental confession, Holy Communion, prayer for the Pope's intentions, and detachment from all sin. Indulgences may be applied to the dead (CCC 1479).