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Objection 1: It would seem that a deacon, or one that is not a
priest cannot grant an indulgence. Because remission of sins is an
effect of the keys. Now none but a priest has the keys. Therefore a
priest alone can grant indulgences.
Objection 2: Further, a fuller remission of punishment is granted
by indulgences than by the tribunal of Penance. But a priest alone
has power in the latter, and, therefore, he alone has power in the
former.
On the contrary, The distribution of the Church's treasury is
entrusted to the same person as the government of the Church. Now
this is entrusted sometimes to one who is not a priest. Therefore he
can grant indulgences, since they derive their efficacy from the
distribution of the Church's treasury.
I answer that, The power of granting indulgences follows
jurisdiction, as stated above (Question 25, Article 2). And
since deacons and others, who are not priests, can have jurisdiction
either delegated, as legates, or ordinary, as bishops-elect, it
follows that even those who are not priests can grant indulgences,
although they cannot absolve in the tribunal of Penance, since this
follows the reception of orders. This suffices for the Replies to the
Objections, because the granting of indulgences belongs to the key of
jurisdiction and not to the key of orders.
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