Problems Cath Ch

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Problems in Roman Catholic Church

Transcript of Problems Cath Ch

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Problems in Roman Catholic Church

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Was the only Christian church in most of Europe

The people of Europe were very devout

Everyone was concerned about going to heaven

Catholics believe in Purgatory-a place between heaven and hell where a soul stays until the person has done penance for any sins

Medieval Catholic Church

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Clergy was poorly trained and often illiterate

Higher ranking clergy were more interested in materialism (lifestyle)

Popes needed lots of money to pay for lifestyle, wars, and beautiful cathedrals

Often clergy bought their positions-simony

Indulgences were sold as penance for sins, but often paid for Church projects

Abuses in the Church

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Because of trade with Middle East, merchants needed to borrow money to pay for ships and trading goods

The Catholic church banned usury

Usury=lending money at interest

Merchants resented they could only borrow money from non-Christian moneylenders

They began to demand changes.

Some set up banks to lend money-de Medicis

Merchants and the Church

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Italians filled many of the high positions in the Catholic Church-bishops, archbishops, popes

All members of Catholic Church had to tithe 10% of their income

Most money went to high clergy positions or to Rome (Italians)

German princes and English royalty disliked Italian domination of the Church

Wanted money to stay in their lands

Italian Domination of Church

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Catholic church owned HUGE amounts of land throughout Europe--probably more than 30%

They paid no taxes on this land

High ranking clergy held political/feudal positions in many lands increasing the Church’s power

The pope ruled as a political leader-he ruled a large part of Italy-the Papal States.

He often fought wars to control and expand his holdings.

Church’s Political Power

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Were sold by the Church as a penance for sins

Much of the money went to the pope

The pope needed money to build St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome

He sent Johan Tetzel to Germany to sell indulgences

He sent other priests throughout Europe

Indulgences

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To sell more indulgences, Tetzel claimed they could get a dead person’s soul out of Purgatory

“The moment a coin in the coffer rings, a soul to heaven springs”

Many were outraged by Tetzel’s selling technique, including Martin Luther

This led to the Reformation

Indulgences