plenary indulgence

American  

noun

Roman Catholic Church.

1. a remission of the total temporal punishment that is still due to sin after absolution.

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Etymology

Origin of plenary indulgence

First recorded in 1665–75

Example Sentences

After meeting certain religious requirements, they can receive a plenary indulgence, which removes punishment for sin.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 28, 2022

Eager to make a fresh start, Washington granted itself a plenary indulgence.

From Salon • Jan. 13, 2017

Pilgrims who walked through the Holy Door were able to receive a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions.

From Washington Times • Nov. 15, 2016

It is the Rolls-Royce of self-justifications, a plenary indulgence.

From Time Magazine Archive

Grant of a plenary indulgence to all the faithful who visit churches of the Friars Minors.

From The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 — Volume 04 of 55 1576-1582 Explorations by Early Navigators, Descriptions of the Islands and Their Peoples, Their History and Records of the Catholic Missions, as Related in Contemporaneous Books and Manuscripts, Showing the Political, Economic, Commercial and Religious Conditions of Those Islands from Their Earliest Relations with European Nations to the Beginning of the Nineteenth Century by Robertson, James Alexander