Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun An authorization granted by the pope, allowing a bishop or diocese to deviate from canon law in some particular.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • To indulge; grant; permit; accord.
  • noun An indulgence; license; permission; grant.
  • noun In the Roman Catholic Church, a license or permission granted by the Pope for the performance of some act not sanctioned by the common law of the church; an exemption; a privilege.
  • noun In Spain, an impost formerly paid to the king on everything brought in galleons from America.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun A privilege or exemption; an indulgence; a dispensation granted by the pope.
  • noun (Spain) A duty levied on all importations.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun Catholicism A permission or privilege granted by the church authority that excepts an individual from what is otherwise a norm of church law, such as a release from monastic vows.

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Middle English, from Medieval Latin indultum, from Late Latin, concession, gift, from Latin indultum, neuter past participle of indulgēre, to be kind.]

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Examples

  • It is to be noted moreover that the word indult, employed in a less restricted sense, is synonymous with privilege, grace, favor, concession, etc.

    The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 7: Gregory XII-Infallability 1840-1916 1913

  • The indult Mass - which probably shouldn't be called the indult Mass any more; but what to call it?

    Vocations John 2008

  • In cases where a cleric had formerly been a physician, he may not practise medicine except through necessity, without obtaining a papal indult, which is generally not granted except for an impelling cause

    The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 10: Mass Music-Newman 1840-1916 1913

  • You'll have to ask the experts, but as I understand it, it is a general permission or liberalization for the Tridentine Mass to be offered anywhere by any priest without an indult - in other words, the old Mass is more or less restored and is on equal footing with the Novus Ordo - not that it needs restoration, but some progressive Church people wanted it suppressed and would not permit it in their diocese, and so on - it's a big deal.

    Archive 2006-12-10 Terry Nelson 2006

  • You'll have to ask the experts, but as I understand it, it is a general permission or liberalization for the Tridentine Mass to be offered anywhere by any priest without an indult - in other words, the old Mass is more or less restored and is on equal footing with the Novus Ordo - not that it needs restoration, but some progressive Church people wanted it suppressed and would not permit it in their diocese, and so on - it's a big deal.

    Motu Proprio Terry Nelson 2006

  • -- 352 parliamentarians of Paris had an indult, that is to say, the right of obliging collators and church patrons to bestow the first vacant benefice either on himself or on one of his children, relations or friends.

    The Modern Regime, Volume 2 Hippolyte Taine 1860

  • A few weeks ago when all the debate concerning the liberal use of the pre-Vatican II ordo of Pius V was circulating around the news and blogworld, a few people discussed the political ramifications affecting resistance towards this 'indult' apparently centered within the French hierarchy.

    Archive 2006-11-26 Terry Nelson 2006

  • A few weeks ago when all the debate concerning the liberal use of the pre-Vatican II ordo of Pius V was circulating around the news and blogworld, a few people discussed the political ramifications affecting resistance towards this 'indult' apparently centered within the French hierarchy.

    Politics and the feast of Christ the King Terry Nelson 2006

  • The Bishops granted an 'indult' for the priest to wear a suit with a clerical shirt because of the anti-Catholic sentiment in the mainly protestant American culture.

    So I'm wrong... Terry Nelson 2006

  • It shows that the so called "indult" of today is really just empty words.

    The Traditional Mass Terry Nelson 2006

Comments

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  • Achieving the state of aged adult

    These chances are few to exult:

    I need not assent

    To strict rules of Lent

    All thanks to the papal indult.

    July 18, 2018