Indulgences

By Crusader1307

With The Catholic Church being firmly implanted in most people's lives in The Middle Ages (from King to Serf), most simply followed what teachings they said. Although much of what The Church attempted was good, poor management and stewardship would pave the way for misuse (and the mistrust that would spur The Reformation). ''Indulgences'' as one of these customs. In simple form, a “Sinner” or (in the case of a dead one) – their family, had to perform some act (often the endless repeating of certain prayers) which would help to remit the sin (and allow the sinner some ease in Hell or Purgatory). In many cases this meant monies. Certain “fees” for certain indulgences (determined by the local Priest or Friar), could earn a dead sinner that much less time in their “eternal torment or suffering”. Fees were used for Church projects or (by the 13th Century) – to subsidize the living standards of many Priests and Cardinals. These practices could obviously not be carried by the very poor, who were struggling through life nonetheless. But some still found means to pay. These (and other bad practices) would eventually lead to a split with The Catholic Church and The Protestant Revolution of Luther. Although the practice of charging for indulgences has long ago been done away with, the principle of indulgences are still part of Catholic Doctrine.