No pope ever authorized the sale of indulgences, that would be simony, and a very serious sin. Indulgences were always issued for good works, accompanied by prayer for the Pope, Sacramental confession, and Sacramental Communion. Up until the protestant revolt, one of those good works used to include almsgiving, but due to issues back then, that has been discontinued.
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The ninety five thesis
The selling of Indulgences was stopped after the Reformation, was practiced only by certain unscrupulous individuals .
No pope ever urged anyone to sell indulgences. Selling indulgences is a grievous sin and always has been.
The Catholic Church, through its agents, the popes, cardinals and bishops, would sell indulgences. This practice has ceased.
Roman Catholic AnswerThe Church never sold anything to replace penance. There were some abuses connected with indulgences issued for donations to help repair St. Peter's in Rome, in the sixteenth century, and the indulgences replaced penance, but the Church has never offered them for sale, and due to the abuses, indulgences are now never offered for alms.
indulgences
Martin Luther was the reformer who challenged the Catholic Church over Indulgences.
The practice of indulgences began in the Catholic Church during the Middle Ages, around the 11th century.
the indulgences that the church sold.
PARDONER
Both men believed that the Catholic Church should end the sale of indulgences.