Download Corruption in the Catholic Church

Corruption in the
Catholic Church
Corruption in the
Catholic Church
How much power is too much?
1500 C.E. Catholic Church=most powerful
European institution
 Pope = leader of the Catholic Church
 Pope = most powerful man in Europe
 Some church leaders abused their power,
eventually causing a rift in the church

Corruption Leads to the Reformation
A. Indulgences- the pardoning of sins for
money (lowered the time spent in
Purgatory)
 B. Simony– selling church positions
 C. Usury– charging interest on immorl or
unethical loans
 D. Charging an entrance fee to holy relics
 E. Many Church official were illiterate

Corruption Leads to the Reformation
continued
F. Charged followers tithes (tax-1/10th of
income)
G. Couldn’t pay? Faced excommunication
(refusal of sacraments)
H. Heretics (people who spoke out against
the Church) were usually
excommunicated or put to death.
Pope Leo X…
Martin Luther
I don’t know about
this whole Catholic
Church thing…
Wittenberg
95 Theses
Pope Leo X’s feelings about Luther
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 Europe
Religious Division of Europe
What was the result of corruption in
the Catholic Church?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Catholic Church loses power!
2nd major “schism” in ChristianityProtestant Reformation
Numerous Protestant religions form
Europe is divided by religion