The Apostolic Penitentiary, in order to foster the spiritual welfare of the faithful, by virtue of the competence assigned to him by the Supreme Pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI, and in response to the request of His Eminence George Cardinal Pell, Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Sydney, graciously grants a PLENARY INDULGENCE on the usual conditions (Sacramental Confession, reception of the Eucharist and prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father) to the faithful who in a spirit of repentance visit the Cathedral Church of Sydney as devout pilgrims, on the days designated by His Eminence the Archbishop - Friday 11 July 2008 to the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 15 August 2008 - and there before the painting of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of the Southern Cross, recite the Lord's Prayer, the Apostles' Creed or the Prayer of Consecration to Mary.

In this way the pilgrims will be fortified in their religious beliefs, and strengthened in the practice of the virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity in their daily life, and in their communion with the Roman Pontiff, the foundation of the visible unity for all the Catholic Church, who will be celebrating the XXIII World Youth Day in Sydney.

This decree is granted immediately, anything to the contrary notwithstanding.

Given at Rome from the Office of the Apostolic Penitentiary on 23 June in the Year of Our Lord 2008.

James Francis Cardinal Stafford

Major Penitentiary