The monstrous abuse of christian charity that helped spark the Reformation has not been banished still after all this time. Just came upon this bit of news and it's staggering... http://anglicancontinuum.blogspot.com/2010/02/indulge-me.html
I didn't think the catholic church ever stopped offering indulgences. I remember there being a plenary indulgence for reading the bible for thirty minutes each day...
While not exactly scholarly, here's a decent intro to indulgences and list of them: http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/cg/indulgences.htm
I know. But they did not proudly champion them for a long time, having been embarrassed by their old criminality and vices. Also see the opening quote. They may have had them, but we're not selling them.