Catholic Church in the 16th Century• Established hierarchy of clergy– in some ways, like a monarchy–priests took loyalty oaths to pope
• Church considered the mediating institution for individual salvation– importance of seven sacraments–mass conducted in Latin
• Church provided almost all education
Other Sources of Discontent with the Church
• Abuse of power by the popes–Using excommunication to force
monarchs to obey their wishes–Fighting wars against rising European
monarchs
• Being influenced by one monarch–Ex: French “Babylonian Captivity”
Martin Luther(gets fed up…)
Question #3 As a Catholic monk,
Luther closely studies the Bible. What did Luther
come to believe about the Bible?
The Protestant Reformation Spreads• Reformers begin to rise in other
countries–Huldrych Zwingli (Switzerland)–John Calvin (France)–Gustav Vasa (Sweden)–Frederick I (Denmark/northern
Germany)–Henry VIII (England)
The Counter-ReformationRoman Catholic Church tries to clean up its act…
• The Council of Trent (1545 and 1563) to make reforms in Catholic Church– reaffirmed Catholic doctrines– Seminaries created for proper training of clergy– Rejects compromise with Protestants– Appointment of bishops for political purposes
prohibited• New orders emerge to support reforms and
focus on local parishes, educating laity