Greg Daly
Pilgrims attending the World Meeting of Families in Dublin this August will receive a plenary indulgence, the Vatican has announced.
The Apostolic Penitentiary today issued a decree saying that Pope Francis would grant a plenary indulgence to pilgrims, “on the usual conditions (sacramental Confession, Eucharistic Communion and prayer for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff), in a spirit that is completely detached from affection for any sin, if they participate in some function” during the meeting, “as well as at its solemn conclusion” in the presence of the Pope.
A plenary indulgence removes all temporal punishment, whether in this life or in purgatory, due for sins that have already been forgiven.
The faithful who are unable to take part in this event—the text continues—may obtain the indulgence on the same conditions if, “united in spirit and in thought with the faithful present in Dublin they recite as a family the Our Father, the Creed and other devout prayers in order to invoke from the Divine Mercy the aims mentioned above, particularly at times when the Words and Messages of the Pope are broadcast via radio and television”.
The decree says that “the partial indulgence is granted to the faithful whenever, with a contrite heart, in the indicated time they pray for the good of the families.”
A partial indulgence removes some of the temporal punishments due for forgiven sins.
There are currently about 22,000 people registered for the meeting, roughly half coming from Ireland and half from 102 other countries. With 28% of registered participants under 18, this WMOF is set to have a record involvement by young people. Roughly 20,000 pilgrims attended the last World Meeting of Families, held in Philadelphia in 2015.
According to the Government, plans are in place to enable 600,000 people to attend the closing ceremony of the family gathering, a Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in Dublin’s Phoenix Park.