The Reformation
The Reformation began in the early 1500s and lasted into the 1600s. Until then, all Christians in Western Europe were Catholics. But even before the Reformation, the church’s religious and moral authority was starting to weaken. One reason for the weakening of the church was humanism. Humanists believed in free thought and questioned many accepted beliefs.
Problems within the church added to this spirit of questioning. Many Catholics were dismayed by the corruption of the Church. Bishops and clergy often seemed devoted more to riches than to serving God, and some popes seemed more concerned with power and money than with spiritual matters.
People were also troubled by the way many church officials tried to get money to support the church. One practice was the selling of indulgences. An indulgence is a grant by the Catholic Church that released a person from punishment for sins. Over time, popes and bishops began selling indulgences as a way of raising money. This practice made it seem that people could buy forgiveness for their sins. Many Catholics were deeply disturbed by the abuse of indulgences.
…show more content…
They questioned the authority of church leaders and some of the church’s teachings. Some broke away from the church entirely. They became known as Protestants because of their protests against the Catholic Church.
By the early 1500s, there was considerable turmoil in the church. In Germany, then part of the Holy Roman Empire, a priest named Martin Luther became involved in a serious dispute with church authorities. Condemned by the church, Luther broke away and began the first Protestant church. The Reformation had begun.
As a Catholic child and priest, Martin Luther spent much time studying the Bible. Luther’s studies of the Bible led him to many questions about the practices of the Catholic Church and brought him into conflict with Pope Leo