What were certificates from the pope that excused a person from doing penance or shortened his stay in purgatory?

Answer 1

Roman Catholic AnswerYou are thinking of indulgences, but you're wrong. Neither the Pope, nor the Catholic Church, nor anyone in history has ever issued anything, be it certificate, letter, or anything else that would excuse anybody from sin, because it is not possible. Any bishop, including the Pope, can issue an indulgence, and they still do. But an indulgence is just an application of the good works of people in the Church to the penances that have to be worked out for sin - and here is the important part - that has already been forgiven. Indulgences have nothing to do with sin. Every sin hurts the entire Body of Christ, and so a penance is needed to make up for the damage you have caused by your sin. An indulgence is applying the good works of someone who has an excess - like Our Blessed Lord, to our penance.

Sin = pardoned by God

Penance = is "good work", prayers, works of charity, etc. that is done by the person who sinned and was forgiven.

Indulgence = is the Church and Our Blessed Lord helping you do the good that you need to do to repair the damage done by already forgiven sin.

If you are in a state of sin you are totally incapable of receiving an indulgence, and that has been true since Our Blessed Lord walked the face of this earth over two thousand years ago.

Answer 2

There were no such documents. Indulgences may be granted by the pope for certain activities, such as pilgrimages, etc. that shorten or eliminate time in Purgatory. However, no document is issued as God is well aware of the action.

Answer 3

AnswerAn indulgence, in Catholic theology, is the full or partial remission of temporal punishment due for sins which have already been forgiven. The indulgence is granted by the church after the sinner has confessed and received absolution.

These are called 'indulgences'. A 'partial indulgence' is for eliminating part of the punishment of sin. A 'plenary indulgence' is complete remission of punishment for sin. Both can be granted to Catholics through various types of actions and sacrifices.

AnswerWe still have indulgences in the Roman Catholic Church , but have not been "bought and sold " since Reformation times. Now they are accrued by prayers and penance , and I mean real penance , not just by giving of donations. There must be real physical sacrifice involved , like giving up some food or activity you are really fond of , and performing service to the poor . Roman Catholic AnswerThe question above is worded in the past tense, as if these were not currently available. Indulgences are very much a part of the Church, there is a Manual or Handbook of Indulgences that was revised by Pope Paul VI in light of the Second Vatican Council, and there are various indulgences issued for special events by the Popes and the various Bishops. AnswerThe word is indulgence. However, they were not issued as certificates. There were no 'Get Out of Jail Free' cards given out.