Your reply seems solid.
Indulgences were a far more effective way for wealth generation.
Indulgences have been practiced in the Catholic Church for nearly 1,000 years in their formal, defined sense, with roots extending back to the early centuries of the Church. While the specific theology and "sale" of indulgences peaked in the late Middle Ages (1300s–1500s), the foundational practices began much earlier.
Here is a breakdown of the historical timeline of indulgences:
- Early Church Origins (3rd–6th Century): The roots of the practice lie in the early Church's penitential system. During times of persecution, Christians in prison or facing death would ask bishops to lighten the severe, long-term penances of other, "lapsed" Christians. Irish and English priests in the 6th century began assigning specific acts—like pilgrimages—as substitutes for longer, public penances.
- 11th Century (Formalization): The practice of granting indulgences, in the sense of a formal remission of temporal punishment, began in the 11th century. Pope Urban II granted the first major plenary indulgence to those who participated in the First Crusade in 1095.
- 12th–13th Century (Expansion): The practice spread beyond crusades to include acts of charity, such as donating money for building hospitals, bridges, and churches. The theological doctrine of the "Treasury of Merit"—which justified this system—was developed during this time.
- 14th–16th Century (The "Sale" and Abuse): Indulgences became widely associated with monetary contributions, often marketed by "pardoners" who promised that money could free souls from purgatory. This reached its peak with the funding of St. Peter’s Basilica, which triggered Martin Luther to write his 95 Theses in 1517.
- Post-Reformation (Reform): In 1567, Pope Pius V abolished the selling of indulgences, and the Council of Trent (1563) codified the doctrine, prohibiting financial transactions in exchange for them.
