What were indulgences in the context of the Catholic Church?

Indulgences were payments made to reduce punishment for sins within the context of the Catholic Church. During the late Middle Ages, the Church taught that even after one’s sins were forgiven, there could still be temporal punishment required, either in this life or in purgatory. Indulgences were a way for individuals to alleviate or shorten this punishment by offering money or performing acts of devotion. The practice became particularly controversial as it was often perceived as a means for the Church to generate revenue, which eventually fueled criticism and reform movements, most notably Martin Luther's 95 Theses.

In contrast, prayers offered for the dead, acts of charity to the poor, and donations for building churches represent different aspects of Catholic practice that do not directly relate to the concept of reducing sin punishment through financial means. These other choices reflect commendable practices but do not encapsulate the specific role indulgences played within the Church's system of penance and penitential actions.