Catholic Practices and the Reformation
Catholic Beliefs – The Sacraments Baptism ▫Babies are welcomed into the Catholic community Confirmation ▫Children re-affirm beliefs and commitment to Catholic community
The Sacraments continued Communion (Eucharist) ▫Transubstantiation – the bread and wine literally turn into the body and blood of Christ Protestants believe in Consubstantiation
The Sacraments continued Confession (Reconciliation) ▫Confessing sins to a priest, asking for forgiveness Marriage (except for clergy) Holy Vows ▫People who become clergy Last Rites – Anointing the Sick ▫Priests say final prayers before someone dies
Catholic Beliefs - Purgatory Believe that after death people spend a certain amount of time in Purgatory ▫Neither heaven or hell – a limbo state Time spent in purgatory depended on how good or bad someone was in life
Catholic Beliefs – Faith and Good Works Catholics believe that in order to achieve salvation one must have faith in God and Jesus AND follow the sacraments and teachings of the Catholic Church ▫Protestantism – Salvation through faith alone
The Role of the Church in Catholicism Catholics believe priests and clergy are needed ▫To hear confession and help forgive sins ▫They act like middlemen between God and a person Protestantism is much more individual, priests aren’t as important
Background to the Reformation Church Abuses ▫Popes competed with monarchs for control of Churches Popes corrupt: greedy, having children, bad ▫Some clergy sold Indulgences A way to lesson your time in purgatory Previously only granted for good deeds, now sold Led to protests by many Christians