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Hi, Anne —
Although it can be simplified more,
this is what the Catechism teaches
us:
| CCC
1471 An indulgence is a
remission before God of the
temporal punishment due to
sins whose guilt has already
been forgiven, which the faithful
Christian who is duly disposed
gains under certain prescribed
conditions through the action
of the Church which, as the
minister of redemption, dispenses
and applies with authority
the treasury of the satisfactions
of Christ and the saints. (In 60
words) |
I also found some on-line definitions
from non-religious dictionaries that
were sufficient enough and shorter:
From Dictionary.com:
A partial indulgence:
a partial remission
of the temporal punishment,
especially purgatorial atonement,
that is still due for a sin
or sins after absolution. (In 21
words)
A plenary indulgence
a remission of the total temporal
punishment that is still due
to sin after absolution. (In 15
words)
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From the Free Dictionary:
| The remission of temporal punishment
still due for a sin that has
been sacramentally absolved. (15
words) |
Hope this helps,
Mike
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