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Catholic World News News Feature

Plenary indulgence for World Youth Day participants July 07, 2008

Pope Benedict XVI has decreed a plenary indulgence for participants in the World Youth Day festivities that will open in Sydney, Australia, on July 15.

The plenary indulgence is also available to "all those who, wherever they are, will pray for the spiritual goals of this meeting and for its happy outcome."

Citing the example set in 2005, when a plenary indulgence for those who took part in the 22nd World Youth Day in Cologne gave thousands of youth access to "the spiritual treasures of the Church," the Apostolic Penitentiary announced the new indulgence on July 5. The decree was signed by Cardinal James Francis Stafford and Bishop Gianfranco Girotti, the penitentiary major and regent, respectively, of the Apostolic Penitentiary.

The Vatican decree stipulates that the plenary indulgence will be granted, under the following conditions, "to the faithful who will devotedly participate at some sacred function or pious exercise taking place during the 23rd World Youth Day, including its solemn conclusion, so that, having received the Sacrament of Reconciliation and being truly repentant, they receive Holy Communion and devoutly pray according to the intentions of His Holiness."

For those unable to make the trip to Sydney, the decree continues:

The Partial Indulgence is granted to the faithful, wherever they are during the above-mentioned meeting, if, at least with a contrite spirit, they will raise their prayer to God the Holy Spirit, so that young people are drawn to charity and given the strength to proclaim the Gospel with their life.

So that all the faithful may more easily obtain these heavenly gifts, priests who have received legitimate approval to hear sacramental confessions, should welcome them with a ready and generous spirit and suggest public prayers to the faithful, for the success of the same World Youth Day.