Decree of His Grace Archbishop Miller of Vancouver

The Holy Father Benedict XVI has established a special Year for Priests on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the death of St. John Mary Vianney, the holy Curé d’Ars, a shining model of a pastor totally dedicated to the service of the people of God. During the Year for Priests, the gift of special Indulgences is granted as described in the Decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary, published on May 12, 2009, which was sent to all priests in the Archdiocese of Vancouver earlier this year. In conformity with the provisions of the Apostolic Penitentiary, I declare that the Christian faithful of the Archdiocese of Vancouver, having fulfilled the required conditions (sacramental Confession, Eucharistic Communion, prayers for the Holy Father’s intentions) and in a spirit of total detachment from any inclination to sin, may benefit from the Plenary Indulgence if they partake devoutly in a sacred function or in a public pious exercise offered on the first Friday of every month beginning in October, 2009, and concluding on the first Friday of June 2010. I designate all Parish Churches, Catholic Schools and Hospital Chapels in the Archdiocese of Vancouver for the exercise of the aforesaid sacred functions. Lastly, the faithful prevented by illness or another legitimate and important cause, always in a spirit of detachment from any inclination to sin, with the intention of fulfilling the usual conditions as soon as possible, can also obtain the Plenary Indulgence, as long as they spiritually join in a celebration for the Year for Priests. This decree is effective from Friday, October 2, 2009, to Friday, June 4, 2010, inclusive.

Given in the Office of the Archbishop of Vancouver, 9 September, in the Year of the Incarnation of the Lord 2009.

Most Reverend J. Michael Miller, C.S.B.
Archbishop of Vancouver