Question

The corrupt practice of ___(s) to free souls from purgatory taught that salvation could be bought.

Answer 1

Answer:

Indulgence.

Explanation:

Indulgence refers to the grant of pardon given by the Pope that allows a person to be safe in purgatory and be 'forgiven' or be given a reduced punishment for the punishments due to him/her. In other words, indulgence means the "document" that grants pardon or forgiveness to a person after death, allowing him/her to be safe from being punished or be given a lesser punishment for the sins committed.

In the past, selling indulgences was a common practice and the church was also privy to that act. Moreover, it also allowed the "holy men" to 'sell' such pardons to get money. And this practice led people to believe that committing sins is an allowed 'enjoyment' as long as one can buy indulgences.