What is Indulgence or Pardon?

            Once people mention the ecclesiastical corruption in the Middle ages, most of people will think of the "indulgence" which was sold by some church officials during that period.  That's the reason why people regard the Christianity Church was corrupt.  And the corruption of church, at last resulted in the reformation of church in the sixteenth century, which were rooted  in demands for spiritual renewal and institutional change.  However, in fact, the function of  "indulgence" that was issued by the church, at first, wasn't to deceive the public to believe that a "purchase" of the indulgences would win  them to a secure place in heaven after death.  The church in order to finance the rebuilding of  St. Peter's church in Rome, the papacy in 1515 offered indulgences to those who give alms for this work.  An indulgence was a mitigation or remission for a penitent who confessed a sin and indicated remorse.  Indulgences were granted by papal decrees for those who agreed to  perform the act of charity, almsgiving prayer or other pious work.  The person who did this kind of work was called "pardoner" in the Medieval Period.  So generally speaking, the intention of selling of indulgences was good at beginning; however, some dishonest pardoners  used it to earn money for their avarice intention.