VATICAN CITY, FEB. 5, 2007 (Zenit.org).- A plenary indulgence can be
obtained by participants in the World Day of the Sick, the Vatican
announced.

The Holy See published a decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary today, stating
that a plenary indulgence is granted to faithful who take part in the
celebrations of the World Day of the Sick, as well as to patients and those
who care for them, or who are united to them spiritually.

The main venue for the day, celebrated Feb. 11, the feast of Our Lady of
Lourdes, will be Seoul, South Korea.

Benedict XVI will be represented in Seoul by Cardinal Javier Lozano
Barragán, president of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Ministry.

In his message for the day, the Holy Father established that this year would
be dedicated in a special way to patients with incurable or terminal
illnesses.

Vatican decree

The decree granting the indulgences, signed by Cardinal James Francis
Stafford, major penitentiary, explains that the Church "earnestly desires
that the annual observance of the World Day of the Sick will become an
effective catechesis of the teaching … on the value and function of pain."

The decree states: "A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful that,
with the usual conditions -- sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion
and prayer for the Holy Father's intentions -- and with a spirit detached
from all sin, take part with devotion, next Feb. 11, in the city of Seoul or
in any other place established by the ecclesiastical authority, in a sacred
ceremony celebrated to implore God for the objectives of the 15th World Day
of the Sick.

"The faithful who in public hospitals or private homes assist the sick with
charity as 'good Samaritans,' especially the incurable or terminal and,
because of their service cannot take part in the ceremony indicated earlier,
will obtain the same gift of the plenary indulgence, if on that day they
generously give at least an hour of their charitable assistance to the sick
as if they did it to Christ the Lord himself, having their spirit detached
from all sin and the intention to comply, as soon as possible, with the
conditions needed to obtain the plenary indulgence."

The decree continues: "The faithful who because of illness, advanced age or
any other similar reason cannot take part in the indicated ceremony, will
obtain the plenary indulgence, on the condition that, having the spirit
detached from all sin and intending to fulfill as soon as possible the usual
conditions, on that day united to the Holy Father, take part spiritually
with desire in the above - said celebration and offer to God, through the
Virgin Mary, 'Health of the Sick,' and their physical and spiritual
sufferings."

Finally, the decree "grants the plenary indulgence to all the faithful, from
Feb. 9 to 11, every time that with a contrite heart they address to the
merciful God devout prayers to implore the above said objectives in
assistance to the sick, in particular of the incurable or terminal."