1. Corruption in the Catholic Church Corruption in the Catholic Church

2. How much power is too much? 1500 C.E. Catholic Church=most powerful European institution 1500 C.E. Catholic Church=most powerful European institution Pope = leader of the Catholic Church Pope = leader of the Catholic Church Pope = most powerful man in Europe Pope = most powerful man in Europe Some church leaders abused their power, eventually causing a rift in the church Some church leaders abused their power, eventually causing a rift in the church

3. Corruption Leads to the Reformation A. Indulgences- the pardoning of sins for money (lowered the time spent in Purgatory) A. Indulgences- the pardoning of sins for money (lowered the time spent in Purgatory) B. Simony– selling church positions B. Simony– selling church positions C. Usury– charging interest on immorl or unethical loans C. Usury– charging interest on immorl or unethical loans D. Charging an entrance fee to holy relics D. Charging an entrance fee to holy relics E. Many Church official were illiterate E. Many Church official were illiterate

4. Corruption Leads to the Reformation continued F. Charged followers tithes (tax-1/10 th 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.

5. Pope Leo X…

6. Martin Luther I don’t know about this whole Catholic Church thing…

7. Wittenberg 95 Theses

8. Pope Leo X’s feelings about Luther Get OUT!!!

9. 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.”

10. Religious Division of Europe

12. What was the result of corruption in the Catholic Church? 1. Catholic Church loses power! 2. 2 nd major “schism” in Christianity- Protestant Reformation 3. Numerous Protestant religions form 4. Europe is divided by religion