Corruption in the Corruption in the Catholic ChurchCatholic Church

Corruption in the Catholic Church

How much power is too How much power is too much?much?

1500 C.E. Catholic Church=most 1500 C.E. Catholic Church=most powerful European institutionpowerful European institution

Pope = leader of the Catholic Church Pope = leader of the Catholic Church Pope = most powerful man in EuropePope = most powerful man in Europe Some church leaders abused their Some church leaders abused their

power, eventually causing a rift in power, eventually causing a rift in the churchthe church

Corruption Leads to the Corruption Leads to the ReformationReformation

A. Indulgences- the pardoning of sins A. Indulgences- the pardoning of sins for money (lowered the time spent in for money (lowered the time spent in Purgatory)Purgatory)

B. Simony– selling church positionsB. Simony– selling church positions C. Usury– charging interest on immorl C. Usury– charging interest on immorl

or unethical loansor unethical loans D. Charging an entrance fee to holy D. Charging an entrance fee to holy

relicsrelics E. Many Church official were illiterate E. Many Church official were illiterate

Corruption Leads to the Corruption Leads to the Reformation continuedReformation continued

F. Charged followers F. Charged followers tithestithes (tax-1/10 (tax-1/10thth of income) of income)

G. Couldn’t pay? Faced G. Couldn’t pay? Faced excommunicationexcommunication (refusal of (refusal of sacramentssacraments))

H. H. HereticsHeretics (people who spoke out (people who spoke out against the Church) were usually against the Church) were usually excommunicated or put to death.excommunicated or put to death.

Pope Leo X…Pope Leo X…

Martin LutherMartin Luther

I don’t know about this whole Catholic

Church thing…

WittenbergWittenberg95 Theses95 Theses

Pope Leo X’s feelings about Pope Leo X’s feelings about LutherLuther

Get OUT!!!

Luther at Diet of Worms, referring to his writings

“Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason (for I do not trust either in the pope or in councils alone, since it is well known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves), I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. May God help me. Amen.”

Religious Division of EuropeReligious Division of Europe

Religious Division of EuropeReligious Division of Europe

What was the result of What was the result of corruption in the Catholic corruption in the Catholic

Church?Church?

1.1. Catholic Church loses power!Catholic Church loses power!

2.2. 22ndnd major “schism” in Christianity- major “schism” in Christianity-Protestant ReformationProtestant Reformation

3.3. Numerous Protestant religions form Numerous Protestant religions form

4.4. Europe is divided by religionEurope is divided by religion