Chapter I: Plenary Indulgence in Articulo Mortis

_Rescript of Clement XIV. by which powers to grant the said
Indulgence are given to Bishops in countries where Catholics
live mixed with other religious denominations. Indulgence to
be gained by invoking the sacred name._

The experience of Catholics proves that nothing tends more effectually to promote practices of piety and to enkindle a religious spirit, than the doctrine of the Catholic Church regarding indulgences. Take, for example, the case of a plenary indulgence. How many penitential and meritorious works are required to secure a participation in so precious a treasure? The person wishing to gain an indulgence of this kind must diligently examine his conscience, excite himself to contrition for his sins, make an humble confession, and perform some penitential work in reparation for the past. Besides, the holy Sacrament of the altar must be worthily received, prayers recited for a pious purpose, and some work of charity or religion performed.

Considering the good thus done, the Church grants plenary indulgences to the faithful on many festivals; but she is never so liberal in dispensing her treasures, as when there is question of persons in immediate danger of death. When that dreadful moment arrives, as on it depends our fate for all eternity, reserved cases are no longer maintained, and all priests are allowed to absolve from every censure. For the consolation also of the dying, and to promote their spiritual welfare, every facility is granted for the obtaining of plenary indulgences.

Benedict XIV. treats at great length of this important matter in a Bull which commences "Pia mater", published on the 5th April, 1747. To each bishop who has once obtained from the Holy See the privilege of imparting indulgences _in articulo mortis_, he grants the power of communicating the same faculty to such priests subject to his jurisdiction as he may desire. In a rescript of the Propaganda, dated 5th April, 1772, Clement XIV. extends that privilege very considerably for all countries where Catholics live mixed up with persons of other religious denominations; and when it happens that no priest can be found to grant the indulgence in the usual form, his Holiness, in the abundance of his charity, grants a plenary indulgence to all who invoke the holy name of Jesus at least in their heart, and who with Christian humility and resignation receive death from the hand of God, commending their souls into the hands of their Creator.

In order that the valuable privilege granted to the prelates of the Church and to the faithful in general may be known to all, we publish the rescript of Clement XIV., as it is found in Dr. Burke's _Hibernia Dominicana_, Appendix, page 936:--

"Ex Audientia Sanctissimi D. N. Clementis Papae XIV. habita 5
Aprilis 1772.

"Ne Christifidelibus, inter Hereticos, et Infideles, in
qualibet Orbis parte degentibus, et in ultimo vitae
discrimine, constitutis, ea spiritualia auxilia desint, quae
Catholica pia mater Ecclesia filiis suis a saecula
recedentibus solet misericorditer impertiri: Sanctissimus
Dominus Noster Clemens, divina Providentia Papa XIV., me
infrascripto sacrae Congregationis de Propaganda Fide
Secretario referente, pro eximia caritate, qua illos fraterne
complectitur, omnibus et singulis RR. PP. DD. Patriarchis,
Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, Vicariis Apostolicis, necnon RR.
Praefectis seu Superioribus missionum tam Cleri Saecularis,
quam Regularis, inter Infideles et Hereticos, ut supra, modo
existentibus, seu quocumque tempore extituris peramanter
concedit facultatem impertiendi benedictionem, cun
Indulgentia plenaria fidelibus praedictis, ad extremum agonem
redactis: Cum ea etiam extensione ut facultatem hujusmodi
Sacerdotibus, et respective missionariis, eorum jurisdictioni
subjectis, pro locis tamen suarum Dioceseum, vel pro
missionum districtibus tantum, communicare possint et
valeant: dummodo in hac benedictione impertienda servetur
formula prescripta a San. Mem. Benedicto XIV. in
Constitutione data 9 Aprilis, 1747, quae incipit _Pia mater_,
inferius registranda.

"Quoniam autem facile continget ut aliqui ex praedictis
Christifidelibus, ex hac vita decedant, quin Ecclesiae
Sacramentis fuerint muniti, et absque Sacerdotis cujuslibet
assistentia; ideo Sanctitas Sua, de uberi apostolicae
benignitatis fonte, etiam illis plenariam Indulgentiam
elargitur, si contriti nomen Jesu, corde saltem,
invocaverint, et mortem de manu Domini, ea qua decet,
christiana animi demissione, et spiritus humilitate
susceperint, animamque in manus Creatoris sui commendaverint.
Quae prostrema Decreti pars ut Christifidelibus omnibus
innotescat, eam in suis dioecesibus, ac missionibus,
Antistites, et Superiores memorati identidem, et praesertim
sanctae Visitationis tempore publicare curent et satagant.

"Datum ex aedibus Sac. Congregationis praedictae, die 5
Aprilis, 1772.

"Stephanus Borgia, Secretarius".