Pope Benedict XVI authorizes indulgences to enrich World Day of the Sick
(Tues.06 Feb.2007) :- Catholics who participate in events connected with the Feb.
11 celebration of the World Day of the Sick can receive a special indulgence, the
Vatican announced. Pope Benedict XVI authorized the indulgences, in order to enrich
the World Day of the Sick and to highlight Christian teaching on the “ value and
function of suffering, accepted as a way to express sorrow for one's sins and trust
in the fact that Christ's suffering is a source of salvation,” said the Vatican statement
released Feb. 5. The statement was signed by U.S. Cardinal J. Francis Stafford,
head of the Vatican tribunal that deals with indulgences and with matters related
to the sacrament of penance. An indulgence is a remission of the temporal punishment
a person is due, for sins he or she has committed. A plenary, or full indulgence
is being offered to those, who join the official celebrations of the 15th
World Day of the Sick in Seoul, South Korea, or in their own dioceses or parishes.
Plenary indulgences also can be obtained Feb. 11 by people, who dedicate at least
several hours that day to providing loving care for a sick person, especially one
with an incurable or terminal illness, and by the sick themselves. All those who want
to receive the indulgence must go to confession, receive the Eucharist, and pray for
the intentions of the pope. Cardinal Stafford said partial indulgences are being offered
between Feb. 9-11 to all the faithful, each time they address with a contrite heart,
devoted prayers to the merciful God on behalf of someone who is sick.