Indulgence

An indulgence, in historical Catholic practice, is a remission of the temporal punishment due for sins after they have been forgiven through confession. Essentially, it’s a way to reduce the time a soul would spend in purgatory by performing certain prayers, good works, or paying specific fees. Indulgences do not forgive sins themselves but aim to alleviate the consequences or purification needed afterward. The practice was intended to encourage spiritual growth and charity, but it became controversial when sold or abused, leading to significant reforms within the church.