Bishop issues notice on plenary indulgence for participation in March • Prayer for Unity

BISHOP DAVID M. O’CONNELL, C.M., RELEASED AN ADVISORY ON DIOCESE OF TRENTON MEDIA that he had just received Jan. 17 regarding approval by the Apostolic Penitentiary of the Holy See of a plenary indulgence (total remission of temporal punishment for sin) in connection with the 2023 March for Life in Washington and accompanying events Thursday, January 19 and Friday, January 20.

The plenary indulgence would be available for all those Catholics who participate either (1) in person or (2) virtually (online, TV, radio) and who have “the disposition of detachment from any sin, with the intention of fulfilling as soon as one is able, the three customary conditions” for plenary indulgences: 1) Sacramental Confession; Eucharistic Communion, and prayer for the intention of the Holy Father (all as soon as possible within 20 days).

To learn more about what conditions must exist for those who cannot physically attend to still receive the indulgence, click on the official document HERE.

 

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BISHOP O’CONNELL HAS SHARED THE FOLLOWING message for the Church’s annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity takes place Jan. 18-25. This year, the theme is “Do good, seek justice,” which is from Isaiah 1:17. 

The week itself draws its ecumenical impetus from the prayer of Jesus at the Last Supper, “that they may be one” (John 17: 21). As the week unfolds, I would like to share a few thoughts that are the fruit of my reading and spiritual reflection.

First, a word about “unity.”  Pope Francis has told us:

Unity does not imply uniformity; it does not necessarily mean doing everything together or thinking in the same way. Nor does it signify a loss of identity. Unity in diversity is actually the opposite: it involves the joyful recognition and acceptance of the various gifts which the Holy Spirit gives to each one and the placing of these gifts at the service of all members of the Church. It means knowing how to listen, to accept differences, and having the freedom to think differently and express oneself with complete respect towards the other who is my brother or sister. Do not be afraid of differences (Address to Catholic Fraternity of the Charismatic Covenant Communities and Fellowship, Oct. 31, 2014)!

Similarly, his predecessor, the late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, noted:

The way to unity remains long and laborious; yet it is necessary not to be discouraged and to journey on, in the first place relying on the unfailing support of the One who, before ascending into Heaven, promised his followers: “I am with you always, to the close of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Unity is a gift of God and the fruit of his Spirit’s action. Consequently, it is important to pray. The closer we draw to Christ, converting to his love, the closer we also draw to one another (General Audience, Jan. 17, 2007).

Read Bishop O’Connell’s full message HERE.