indulgence

A woodcarving showing Johann Tetzel selling indulgences in Wittenberg (1517).

In the Roman Catholic Church, the total or partial remission of temporal punishment for sins for which amendment needs to be made after penitence and confession have secured exemption from eternal punishment. The doctrine of indulgence began as the commutation of church penances in exchange for suitable works of charity or money gifts to the church, and became a great source of church revenue. This trade in indulgences roused Martin Luther to post his ‘Ninety-five Theses’ on the church door in Wittenberg, and so initiated the Reformation in 1517. The Council of Trent (1545-63) recommended moderate retention of indulgences, and they continue, notably in ‘Holy Years’.