Can a non-Catholic be granted an indulgence?

[bben15]

Hello. I asked this question before in another forum, but I got mixed answers. I tried asking this in the Apologist section, but I didn’t get a response. I know non-Catholics can’t be granted plenary indulgences, but what about partial indulgences? I have been baptized. I understand that the requirements for a partial indulgence are: You must be in a state of grace (which can be obtained through perfect contrition, so as long as you intend to go to confession when you convert), and you must have the intention to gain an indulgence.

I pray the rosary and Chaplet of Saint Michael three times each day. Before I pray the devotion, I state my intention to gain a partial indulgence. Also, sometimes I try to obtain indulgences for the dead. Were these indulgences valid?

God bless you for answering my question.

 

[WaitingForJesus]

Hello. I asked this question before in another forum, but I got mixed answers. I tried asking this in the Apologist section, but I didn’t get a response. I know non-Catholics can’t be granted plenary indulgences, but what about partial indulgences? I have been baptized. I understand that the requirements for a partial indulgence are: You must be in a state of grace (which can be obtained through perfect contrition, so as long as you intend to go to confession when you convert), and you must have the intention to gain an indulgence.

I pray the rosary and Chaplet of Saint Michael three times each day. Before I pray the devotion, I state my intention to gain a partial indulgence. Also, sometimes I try to obtain indulgences for the dead. Were these indulgences valid?

God bless you for answering my question.

Are you a baptized Catholic or a Protestant in the process of conversion? See the below reference which suggests you need to be in a state of grace, which implies having gone to confession, for the partial indulgence…although arguably, one would think perfect contrition would suffice if you are unable to go to confession at this time.

I also wondered if you were asking if the indulgence to be applied to deceased non-Catholics? I believe that is possible, although have myself been unable to find anything saying that. Our God is infinitely merciful, and so I believe the indulgences can be applied to whomever he chooses. I am a convert and ask for my indulgences to be applied to my dead Protestant relatives all the time…and, if not to them, some other soul in Purgatory.

Here is the link: ewtn.com/expert/answers/indulgences_conditions.htm

1. In general, the gaining of indulgences requires certain prescribed conditions (below, nn. 3, 4), and the performance of certain prescribed works …

[N.B. The grants of indulgence are contained in the Enchiridion Indulgentiarum (4th ed., 1999), in special grants of the Holy See, such as for the Year of the Holy Eucharist, and in special grants which bishops may establish for their dioceses.]

1. **To gain indulgences, whether plenary or partial, it is necessary that the faithful be in the state of grace at least at the time the indulgenced work is completed. **[N.B. **Thus, one must be a Catholic in communion with the Pope, i.e. not excommunicated or in schism.]
2. A plenary indulgence can be gained only once a day. In order to obtain it, the faithful must, in addition to being in the state of grace:

—have the interior disposition of complete detachment from sin, even venial sin;

—have sacramentally confessed their sins;

—receive the Holy Eucharist (it is certainly better to receive it while participating in Holy Mass, but for the indulgence only Holy Communion is required);

—pray for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff.

1. It is appropriate, but not necessary, that the sacramental Confession and especially Holy Communion and the prayer for the Pope’s intentions take place on the same day that the indulgenced work is performed; but it is sufficient that these sacred rites and prayers be carried out within several days (about 20) before or after the indulgenced act. Prayer for the Pope’s intentions is left to the choice of the faithful, but an “Our Father” and a “Hail Mary” are suggested. One sacramental Confession suffices for several plenary indulgences, but a separate Holy Communion and a separate prayer for the Holy Father’s intentions are required for each plenary indulgence.
2. For the sake of those legitimately impeded, confessors can commute both the work prescribed and the conditions required (except, obviously, detachment from even venial sin).
3. Indulgences can always be applied either to oneself or to the souls of the deceased, but they cannot be applied to other persons living on earth.

Are you asking for the indulgence to be applied to a deceased non-Catholic? I believe that is possible, although am doubtful there is anything out there saying that. Our God is infinitely merciful, and so I believe the indulgences can be applied wherever he decides. I am a convert and ask for indulgences to be applied to my dead relatives all the time…and, if not to them, some other deserving soul.

 

[bben15]

Are you a baptized Catholic or a Protestant in the process of conversion? See the below reference which suggests you need to be in a state of grace, which implies having gone to confession, for the partial indulgence…although arguably, one would think perfect contrition would suffice if you are unable to go to confession at this time.

I also wondered if you were asking if the indulgence to be applied to deceased non-Catholics? I believe that is possible, although have myself been unable to find anything saying that. Our God is infinitely merciful, and so I believe the indulgences can be applied to whomever he chooses. I am a convert and ask for my indulgences to be applied to my dead Protestant relatives all the time…and, if not to them, some other soul in Purgatory.

Here is the link: ewtn.com/expert/answers/indulgences_conditions.htm

1. In general, the gaining of indulgences requires certain prescribed conditions (below, nn. 3, 4), and the performance of certain prescribed works …

[N.B. The grants of indulgence are contained in the Enchiridion Indulgentiarum (4th ed., 1999), in special grants of the Holy See, such as for the Year of the Holy Eucharist, and in special grants which bishops may establish for their dioceses.]

1. **To gain indulgences, whether plenary or partial, it is necessary that the faithful be in the state of grace at least at the time the indulgenced work is completed. **[N.B. **Thus, one must be a Catholic in communion with the Pope, i.e. not excommunicated or in schism.]

1. A plenary indulgence can be gained only once a day. In order to obtain it, the faithful must, in addition to being in the state of grace:

—have the interior disposition of complete detachment from sin, even venial sin;

—have sacramentally confessed their sins;

—receive the Holy Eucharist (it is certainly better to receive it while participating in Holy Mass, but for the indulgence only Holy Communion is required);

—pray for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff.

1. It is appropriate, but not necessary, that the sacramental Confession and especially Holy Communion and the prayer for the Pope’s intentions take place on the same day that the indulgenced work is performed; but it is sufficient that these sacred rites and prayers be carried out within several days (about 20) before or after the indulgenced act. Prayer for the Pope’s intentions is left to the choice of the faithful, but an “Our Father” and a “Hail Mary” are suggested. One sacramental Confession suffices for several plenary indulgences, but a separate Holy Communion and a separate prayer for the Holy Father’s intentions are required for each plenary indulgence.
2. For the sake of those legitimately impeded, confessors can commute both the work prescribed and the conditions required (except, obviously, detachment from even venial sin).
3. Indulgences can always be applied either to oneself or to the souls of the deceased, but they cannot be applied to other persons living on earth.

Are you asking for the indulgence to be applied to a deceased non-Catholic? I believe that is possible, although am doubtful there is anything out there saying that. Our God is infinitely merciful, and so I believe the indulgences can be applied wherever he decides. I am a convert and ask for indulgences to be applied to my dead relatives all the time…and, if not to them, some other deserving soul.

I desire to convert to Catholicism. No, the indulgences are for the Catholic deceased. Does this mean I cannot gain indulgences for me or for the dead?

 

[WaitingForJesus]

I desire to convert to Catholicism. No, the indulgences are for the Catholic deceased. Does this mean I cannot gain indulgences for me or for the dead?

This says you must be in a state of grace to receive the partial indulgence. The part in parenthetical, which says you must be Catholic, seems to be someone’s interpretation of what it means to be in a state of grace.

In your original post, you said that one can be in a state of grace with perfect contrition and the intent to go to confession as soon as possible. That is correct. But, it is hard to know if one’s contrition is perfect or not.

I believe your prayers for the dead are very beautiful and helpful for them. Our Lord is infinitely merciful, and I believe you should have faith in that mercy and keep praying and asking for the indulgences. The Lord may grant them as he wishes.

Have you been to RCIA yet? Wondering where you are in the process of conversion…

 

[bben15]

This says you must be in a state of grace to receive the partial indulgence. The part in parenthetical, which says you must be Catholic, seems to be someone’s interpretation of what it means to be in a state of grace.

In your original post, you said that one can be in a state of grace with perfect contrition and the intent to go to confession as soon as possible. That is correct. But, it is hard to know if one’s contrition is perfect or not.

I believe your prayers for the dead are very beautiful and helpful for them. Our Lord is infinitely merciful, and I believe you should have faith in that mercy and keep praying and asking for the indulgences. The Lord may grant them as he wishes.

Have you been to RCIA yet? Wondering where you are in the process of conversion…

I am actually, at the moment, forbidden to convert. I won’t be able to convert for a while. The link below might explain. I would type it again, but that is a lot of typing, so I don’t think I will.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=778491

 

[WaitingForJesus]

I am actually, at the moment, forbidden to convert. I won’t be able to convert for a while. The link below might explain. I would type it again, but that is a lot of typing, so I don’t think I will.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=778491

I see! Well you keep right on praying and doing these things which are so good for your soul and others. I will pray for your parents to have a change of heart and that you gain clarity regarding our Lord’s will for your life. God bless you!

 

[bben15]

I see! Well you keep right on praying and doing these things which are so good for your soul and others. I will pray for your parents to have a change of heart and that you gain clarity regarding our Lord’s will for your life. God bless you!

Thank you! God bless you too.

 

[eamonnroma]

Are you a baptized Catholic or a Protestant in the process of conversion? See the below reference which suggests you need to be in a state of grace, which implies having gone to confession, for the partial indulgence…although arguably, one would think perfect contrition would suffice if you are unable to go to confession at this time.

I also wondered if you were asking if the indulgence to be applied to deceased non-Catholics? I believe that is possible, although have myself been unable to find anything saying that. Our God is infinitely merciful, and so I believe the indulgences can be applied to whomever he chooses. I am a convert and ask for my indulgences to be applied to my dead Protestant relatives all the time…and, if not to them, some other soul in Purgatory.

Here is the link: ewtn.com/expert/answers/indulgences_conditions.htm

1. In general, the gaining of indulgences requires certain prescribed conditions (below, nn. 3, 4), and the performance of certain prescribed works …

[N.B. The grants of indulgence are contained in the Enchiridion Indulgentiarum (4th ed., 1999), in special grants of the Holy See, such as for the Year of the Holy Eucharist, and in special grants which bishops may establish for their dioceses.]

1. **To gain indulgences, whether plenary or partial, it is necessary that the faithful be in the state of grace at least at the time the indulgenced work is completed. **[N.B. **Thus, one must be a Catholic in communion with the Pope, i.e. not excommunicated or in schism.]

1. A plenary indulgence can be gained only once a day. In order to obtain it, the faithful must, in addition to being in the state of grace:

—have the interior disposition of complete detachment from sin, even venial sin;

—have sacramentally confessed their sins;

—receive the Holy Eucharist (it is certainly better to receive it while participating in Holy Mass, but for the indulgence only Holy Communion is required);

—pray for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff.

1. It is appropriate, but not necessary, that the sacramental Confession and especially Holy Communion and the prayer for the Pope’s intentions take place on the same day that the indulgenced work is performed; but it is sufficient that these sacred rites and prayers be carried out within several days (about 20) before or after the indulgenced act. Prayer for the Pope’s intentions is left to the choice of the faithful, but an “Our Father” and a “Hail Mary” are suggested. One sacramental Confession suffices for several plenary indulgences, but a separate Holy Communion and a separate prayer for the Holy Father’s intentions are required for each plenary indulgence.
2. For the sake of those legitimately impeded, confessors can commute both the work prescribed and the conditions required (except, obviously, detachment from even venial sin).
3. Indulgences can always be applied either to oneself or to the souls of the deceased, but they cannot be applied to other persons living on earth.

Are you asking for the indulgence to be applied to a deceased non-Catholic? I believe that is possible, although am doubtful there is anything out there saying that. Our God is infinitely merciful, and so I believe the indulgences can be applied wherever he decides. I am a convert and ask for indulgences to be applied to my dead relatives all the time…and, if not to them, some other deserving soul.

1. To gain indulgences, whether plenary or partial, it is necessary that the faithful be in the state of grace at least at the time the indulgenced work is completed. [N.B. Thus, one must be a Catholic in communion with the Pope, i.e. not excommunicated or in schism.]

Are you saying here that a non - Catholic cannot be in a state of grace?

 

[WaitingForJesus]

1. To gain indulgences, whether plenary or partial, it is necessary that the faithful be in the state of grace at least at the time the indulgenced work is completed. [N.B. Thus, one must be a Catholic in communion with the Pope, i.e. not excommunicated or in schism.]

Are you saying here that a non - Catholic cannot be in a state of grace?

No, I am not saying that. I pulled this from an expert Q&A on the EWTN website. I do believe the author of this quotation is saying that. It is the black and white answer. The Catechism of the Catholic church states that being a member of a schism is a sin.

However, there are times when one cannot help the fact that he/she is not Catholic (and therefore unable to receive the sacrament of reconciliation). That was the case with me…and the situation the OP is in. In such a situation, I don’t believe it is mortal sin to not be Catholic.

The church also teaches that one can be in a state of grace if he/she has perfect contrition for his or her sins, but has not had the opportunity to receive the sacrament of reconciliation. That is what God would consider should a non-Catholic die having been unable to convert through no fault of his own.

As I told the OP, I believe that all prayers for the dead are beautiful and helpful for them. Our Lord is infinitely merciful and just. We should should have faith and trust in that mercy and keep praying and asking for our own salvation and the souls in Purgatory…whether we are Catholic or not.

 

[bcuster]

I desire to convert to Catholicism. No, the indulgences are for the Catholic deceased. Does this mean I cannot gain indulgences for me or for the dead?

Do not let anxiety overcome you. You are precious in the eyes of the Lord. The Lord will not withhold his graces from you just because you are not Catholic yet. You are praying with good intentions. Continue to pray and let the Lord sort out the indulgences.

God bless you!

 

[Mary_Ellen]

OP,

So that we may know where you are coming from on these forums, maybe you could change your religion to “converting to Catholic” instead of “Catholic.” Truth is always best.