1. Background to the Protestant Reformation
In the 1500’s in Northern Europe, the Renaissance sparked a religious PROTEST.
This movement would become known as the Protestant Reformation.
People were able to get news because of the PRINTING PRESS.

2. Church Abuses
Starting in the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church got caught up in “worldly affairs”.
Popes led lavish lifestyles, hiring Renaissance artists to beautify homes and churches.

3. Church Abuses cont’d MAJOR CHURCH ABUSES:
Charging citizens inflated fees for marriages, baptisms, to enter holy places and view holy relics.
Pre-Printing Press – controlling interpretations of the Bible.
Selling leadership positions
Selling INDULGENCES!

4. Church Abuses cont’d
INDULGENCE: Literally a piece of paper that the church would sell, lessening the time a soul would spend in purgatory.
Purgatory: A place where souls would repent for sins committed during lifetime.
Indulgences could be bought with money before or after sin had been committed.

5. Early Attempts at Reform of the Church
John Wycliffe: Launched attack on the church using writings and sermons.
Best known for
translating the Bible
into English.
Jan Hus: 40 years after Wycliffe, executed for speaking out against Catholic Church.