Pacte de pureté

Abstinence pledges are commitments made by people, often though not always teenagers and young adults, to practice abstinence, usually in the case of practicing teetotalism with respect to abstaining from alcohol and other drugs, or chastity, with respect to abstaining from sexual intercourse until marriage; in the case of sexual abstinence, they are sometimes also known as purity pledges or virginity pledges. They are most common in the United States among Catholic and Evangelical Christian denominations, while others are nonsectarian. The temperance movement arose in the 18th century and spread throughout Christians of the Methodist, Presbyterian, Quaker, and Roman Catholic denominations, among others. The Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU), has encouraged people in their communities to sign abstinence pledges with the undersigned promising to not use alcohol or other drugs; the following is an example of wording that may appear on such abstinence pledge cards: "I hereby promise, by the help of God, to abstain from the use of all intoxicating liquors, including wine, beer, and cider as a beverage." Taking the abstinence pledge enrolls those signing the cards as members in the temperance organization that is distributing them, such as the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, Independent Order of Rechabites and International Organisation of Good Templars, among others. The Catholic Total Abstinence League of the Cross, founded by Cardinal Henry Manning in 1873, had the following pledge: "I promise to you, reverend father, and to the League of the Holy Cross, by the help of God's grace, to abstain from all intoxicating drinks." A similar organisation, the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association, continues distributing abstinence pledges today and Pope Pius X instated an plenary indulgence of 100 days for those promoting it. In Ireland, it is common for school children to take the pledge of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association after which they receive a lapel pin.