December 20, 2017
Dear Brother Bishops,
In virtue of the authority granted by our Holy Father, Pope Francis, to Cardinal Mauro
Piacenza, the Major Penitentiary of the Catholic Church, a plenary Indulgence can “be obtained
under the usual conditions (sacramental Confession, Eucharistic Communion, and prayer for the
intentions of the Supreme Pontiff) by the Christian faithful who are truly penitential and compelled
by charity, which indeed they can apply to the souls of the faithful held in Purgatory, by way of
suffrage, if they take part in the sacred celebrations, along with the great assembly of people,
throughout the whole course of the annual event that is called “March for Life,” which will be
carried out on the eighteenth and nineteenth days of January 2018” in the entire “Diocese of
Arlington” and “the Archdiocese of Washington.”
The decree goes on to note that “the aged, sick and all those who due to grave reason are
not able to leave home will be equally able to obtain a plenary Indulgence, having the disposition
of detachment from any kind of sin with the intention of fulfilling, as soon as one is able, the three
customary conditions if they spiritually join themselves to the holy ceremonies, while also having
offered prayers and their sufferings or the ailments of their own life to the merciful God.”
The decree further requests that “in order that easier access unto the attaining of this divine
favor through the keys of the Church might go forth, for the sake of pastoral charity, this
Penitentiary earnestly asks that Pastors and priests, those provided with suitable faculties to hear
confessions, with a willing and generous spirit, might make themselves available for the
celebration of Penance.”
We bring this to your attention in the hope that you will share this information with those
entrusted to your pastoral care, and who may be traveling to Washington, D.C. to participate in
March for Life activities this January.
May the efforts of all across this great nation to lift up the value and dignity of each human
life continue to bear fruit, and may we all experience God’s blessings in this noble undertaking.
With every good wish, we are
Fraternally Yours in Christ,

Bishop of Arlington

Archbishop of Washington