Church grants special indulgence
to coronavirus patients and caregivers
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| A patient in a hospital in Brescia (AFP) |
The Apostolic Penitentiary issues a Decree granting special
plenary indulgences for those suffering from the coronavirus pandemic, if
specific conditions are met.
By Fr. Benedict Mayaki, SJ
On 20 March, the Apostolic Penitentiary issued a decree granting
plenary indulgences to “the faithful suffering from the Covid-19 virus,
commonly known as coronavirus, as well as to healthcare workers, family members
and all those who in any capacity, including through prayer, care for them.”
The document comes in response to pastoral, spiritual and
sacramental concerns for those affected by the coronavirus pandemic, which has
raised “new uncertainties and above all widespread physical and moral
suffering”.
The decree is signed by Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, the Major
Penitentiary of the Apostolic Penitentiary, and the Regent, Father Krzysztof
Nykiel.
Conditions for the plenary indulgence
The Decree grants a plenary indulgence to coronavirus
patients quarantined by health authorities in hospitals and in their homes if,
“with a spirit detached from any sin, they unite themselves spiritually through
the media to the celebration of the Holy Mass, the recitation of the Holy
Rosary, to the pious practice of the Way of the Cross or other forms of
devotion.”
The plenary indulgence can also be obtained by the faithful
if they at least “recite the creed, the Lord’s Prayer and a pious invocation to
the Blessed Virgin Mary, offering this trial in a spirit of faith in God and
charity towards their brothers and sisters, with the will to fulfill the usual
conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer according
to the Holy father’s intentions), as soon as possible.”
A plenary indulgence is also granted to healthcare workers,
family members and all those who, “exposing themselves to the risk of
contagion, care for the sick” under the same conditions stated above.
Also, the faithful who offer a “visit to the Blessed
Sacrament, or Eucharistic adoration, or read the Holy Scriptures for half an
hour, or recite the Holy Rosary, or the pious exercise of the Way of the Cross,
or the recitation of the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy” while praying for an end
to the pandemic will be granted a plenary indulgence.
A few clarifications
In a note accompanying
the Decree, the Apostolic Penitentiary provided for some eventualities linked
with providing the Sacrament of Reconciliation for those affected by the
Covid-19 virus.
The note explained that the diocesan bishop has complete
discretion over the administration of collective absolution except where there
is an “imminent danger of death” or a “grave necessity.” Individual confession
remains the ordinary way of celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Also, if there is need to impart absolution to several
faithful, the priest is obliged to inform the diocesan bishop as soon as
possible.
Bishops are also tasked with evaluating the level of the
pandemic in their respective jurisdictions to be able to set up prudent
protocols for the individual celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation
that safeguards the sacramental seal.
The note also encouraged setting up groups of voluntary
“extraordinary hospital chaplains” who, obeying health norms and in agreement
with health authorities, can provide spiritual assistance to the sick and
dying.
Indulgences
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, an
indulgence is “a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins
whose guilt has already been forgiven.” Indulgences are either partial or
plenary depending on if they remove part or all of the temporal punishment due
to sin.
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