ContentsContents

IntroductionIntroduction

Historical CausesHistorical Causes

Areas of ConcernAreas of Concern

The Rise of HeresyThe Rise of Heresy

The Avignon PapacyThe Avignon Papacy

The Great SchismThe Great Schism

Abuses in the 15Abuses in the 15thth CenturyCentury

Renaissance PopesRenaissance Popes

The Winds of ChangeThe Winds of Change

Religious PracticesReligious Practices

ReformReform

IntroductionIntroductionIn October 1517 a In October 1517 a German monk called German monk called Martin Luther walked Martin Luther walked up to the front door of up to the front door of the castle church in the castle church in the city of Wittenburg the city of Wittenburg and nailed up a list of and nailed up a list of 95 points he wanted 95 points he wanted to make.to make.

For many historians For many historians this marked the this marked the beginning of the beginning of the Protestant Protestant Reformation.Reformation.

The causes of the The causes of the reformation go back to reformation go back to the 12the 12thth Century. Century.

Many were concerned Many were concerned with the state of the with the state of the Church.Church.

The Church was in The Church was in need of reform but need of reform but failed to reform itself failed to reform itself properly. properly.

Papal Palace in Avignon, Papal Palace in Avignon,

FranceFrance..

Historical CausesHistorical Causes

Areas of ConcernAreas of Concern

•The power and authority of The power and authority of bishops and popes over people, bishops and popes over people, nobles and royalty.nobles and royalty.

•The threat of “heretical” The threat of “heretical” teachings.teachings.

•The morally corrupt live styles The morally corrupt live styles of some priests, bishops, of some priests, bishops, cardinals and popes.cardinals and popes.

Concerns continued…..Concerns continued…..

•The papacy leaving Rome The papacy leaving Rome and establishing itself in and establishing itself in Avignon.(1305 to 1377)Avignon.(1305 to 1377)

•The time when there was The time when there was two rival popes at the same two rival popes at the same time.time.

•Poor papal leadership.Poor papal leadership.

•Strange and superstitious Strange and superstitious religious practices.religious practices.

•Failure to carry out the Failure to carry out the necessary reforms.necessary reforms.

In the middle ages there were many In the middle ages there were many dissidents, both groups and individuals, dissidents, both groups and individuals, who were branded as heretics and who were branded as heretics and treated most severely.treated most severely.

The Inquisition was established for the The Inquisition was established for the sole purpose of hunting down heretics sole purpose of hunting down heretics and disposing of them.and disposing of them.

For some, these dissidents were seen as For some, these dissidents were seen as “martyrs” for a cause which continued “martyrs” for a cause which continued to grow.to grow.

The Rise of HeresyThe Rise of Heresy

The Poor Men of Lyons, France. The Poor Men of Lyons, France. (1170)(1170)

This group of “heretics” were basically overly This group of “heretics” were basically overly enthusiastic lay people who, after observing enthusiastic lay people who, after observing the luxurious excesses of the clergy the luxurious excesses of the clergy challenged the apostolic authority of the challenged the apostolic authority of the bishops.bishops.

They translated the scriptures into the They translated the scriptures into the language of the common people and preached language of the common people and preached in the market places. in the market places.

Contempt for ecclesiastical authority seems to Contempt for ecclesiastical authority seems to be their main “crime”.be their main “crime”.

Given the strict hierarchy of the Church it is Given the strict hierarchy of the Church it is not surprising they were excommunicated and not surprising they were excommunicated and expelled.expelled.

Marsilius of Marsilius of Padua.Padua.

Marsilius (1275 – 1342) Marsilius (1275 – 1342) was the Rector of the was the Rector of the University of Paris. In University of Paris. In his position he his position he questioned the nature questioned the nature and structure of the and structure of the Church.Church.

In his opinion the whole In his opinion the whole community of the community of the faithful constituted the faithful constituted the Church not just popes, Church not just popes, bishops and priests.bishops and priests.

Torture and Death Torture and Death in God’s Name.in God’s Name.

Judicial torture was used Judicial torture was used by civil authorities in order by civil authorities in order to extract “confessions” to extract “confessions” for the Church. It was seen for the Church. It was seen as a very successful way as a very successful way of getting to the truth.of getting to the truth.

Once convicted of heresy Once convicted of heresy in a Church Court the in a Church Court the heretic might be heretic might be imprisoned or handed over imprisoned or handed over to the secular authorities to the secular authorities to be burnt at the stake.to be burnt at the stake.

Pain as purification.Pain as purification.

Initially the Church was against the use of Initially the Church was against the use of violence against heretics but later attitudes violence against heretics but later attitudes changed.changed.

The Church was under threat. Not by an outside The Church was under threat. Not by an outside aggressor but from within. A hard line was aggressor but from within. A hard line was needed to stop the fabric of the Church from needed to stop the fabric of the Church from being torn apart.being torn apart.

From the 13From the 13thth Century onwards the systematic Century onwards the systematic repression of heretics was well organized.repression of heretics was well organized.

Perhaps one of the most famous victims of the Perhaps one of the most famous victims of the “Church” was St Joan of Arc who was unjustly “Church” was St Joan of Arc who was unjustly burnt at the stake for heresy in 1431.burnt at the stake for heresy in 1431.

John Hus was a John Hus was a theologian from theologian from Prague in Bohemia. Prague in Bohemia. Earlier he had been Earlier he had been inspired by the inspired by the Englishman, John Englishman, John Wyclif.Wyclif.

In 1418 he was In 1418 he was arrested, tortured and arrested, tortured and then burnt at the then burnt at the stake for his stake for his teachings. In response teachings. In response to his death the region to his death the region of Bohemia went into of Bohemia went into revolt. revolt.

John HusJohn Hus

In 1305 the French pope left Rome and took up In 1305 the French pope left Rome and took up residence in the city of Avignon in present day residence in the city of Avignon in present day France. The papacy stayed there until 1372.France. The papacy stayed there until 1372.

Avignon was a corrupt city with immorally Avignon was a corrupt city with immorally widespread throughout the papal court.widespread throughout the papal court.

St Catherine of Siena wrote to Pope Gregory XI St Catherine of Siena wrote to Pope Gregory XI encouraging him to reform the Church and to encouraging him to reform the Church and to return to Rome.return to Rome.

The Avignon PapacyThe Avignon Papacy

The Great SchismThe Great SchismThe return to Rome from Avignon was The return to Rome from Avignon was not without its difficulties.not without its difficulties.

When Gregory XI died in 1378 the Italian When Gregory XI died in 1378 the Italian cardinals quickly elected a new pope, cardinals quickly elected a new pope, Urban VI. Urban VI.

The French cardinals, who were not keen The French cardinals, who were not keen to return to Rome in the first place, did to return to Rome in the first place, did not accept the election of Urban VI so not accept the election of Urban VI so they elected their own pope. He was they elected their own pope. He was known as Clement VII.known as Clement VII.

Clement established himself in Clement established himself in Avignon and Urban remained in Avignon and Urban remained in Rome.Rome.

The Church had TWO POPES!The Church had TWO POPES!

When Clement died in Avignon When Clement died in Avignon he was succeeded by Benedict he was succeeded by Benedict XII. And when Urban died in XII. And when Urban died in Rome he was succeeded by Rome he was succeeded by Boniface IX.Boniface IX.

Both popes tried to Both popes tried to excommunicate each other and excommunicate each other and both tried to initiate a war both tried to initiate a war against the other side.against the other side.

In 1409 a Council was called in Pisa to In 1409 a Council was called in Pisa to resolve the situation.resolve the situation.

The Council deposed both popes and The Council deposed both popes and appointed Alexander V as the new appointed Alexander V as the new pope.pope.

The Church now had THREE POPES!!The Church now had THREE POPES!!

In 1414 the three popes were:In 1414 the three popes were:

1.1. Benedict IIIBenedict III

2.2. Gregory XII successor of Boniface IXGregory XII successor of Boniface IX

3.3. John XXIII successor of Alexander V John XXIII successor of Alexander V

Council of Council of ConstanceConstance

The situation was resolved The situation was resolved at the Council of at the Council of Constance(1414 – 1418).Constance(1414 – 1418).

John XXIII abdicated.John XXIII abdicated.

Gregory XII abdicated.Gregory XII abdicated.

Benedict VIII was deposed.Benedict VIII was deposed.

In November of 1417 In November of 1417 Martin V was elected pope.Martin V was elected pope.

With the schism over it was With the schism over it was surely time for the Church surely time for the Church to turn it’s attention to to turn it’s attention to reform.reform.

Martin VMartin V

Sadly during much of the 15Sadly during much of the 15thth Century Century the papacy was preoccupied with the papacy was preoccupied with increasing its power and authority.increasing its power and authority.

There was conflict between popes and There was conflict between popes and councils who considered themselves councils who considered themselves as having greater collective authority as having greater collective authority than the pope.than the pope.

Pope Eugenius IV was deposed.Pope Eugenius IV was deposed.

Pope Felix V abdicated.Pope Felix V abdicated.

The Power of The Power of The Pope The Pope ThreatenedThreatened

Eventually the popes Eventually the popes regained their authority.regained their authority.

Sadly, some popes, Sadly, some popes, instead of using their instead of using their position to reform the position to reform the Church used it to gain Church used it to gain favours for their favours for their illegitimate children and illegitimate children and to restore the to restore the architectural glory of architectural glory of Rome.Rome.

Abuses in the 15Abuses in the 15thth CenturyCentury

Serious ConcernsSerious Concerns•Ignorant men with little education Ignorant men with little education were ordained priests.were ordained priests.

•Individuals purchased spiritual Individuals purchased spiritual positions within the Church with positions within the Church with large sums of money.large sums of money.

•The burden of Church tax was The burden of Church tax was very heavy.very heavy.

•Christians thought they could Christians thought they could escape the penalties of sin by escape the penalties of sin by purchasing indulgences.purchasing indulgences.

•Some priests, bishops and even popes Some priests, bishops and even popes lived immoral lives.lived immoral lives.

•Superstition played a dominant part in Superstition played a dominant part in people’s lives.people’s lives.

•Believers increasingly trusted in Believers increasingly trusted in indulgences, relics and pilgrimages as indulgences, relics and pilgrimages as the way of salvation.the way of salvation.

•Some bishops were worldly and Some bishops were worldly and ambitious, often neglecting the spiritual ambitious, often neglecting the spiritual concerns of the dioceseconcerns of the diocese.

•Some priests became very rich by Some priests became very rich by drawing on the income of several drawing on the income of several parishes and paying poor priests to do parishes and paying poor priests to do the work for them.the work for them.

•Many who joined Religious Life were Many who joined Religious Life were motivated by greed, wealth and power.motivated by greed, wealth and power.

•The religious vows of poverty, The religious vows of poverty, chastity and obedience were ignored chastity and obedience were ignored by some immoral religious.by some immoral religious.

The Renaissance PopesThe Renaissance PopesThe Renaissance in the 15The Renaissance in the 15thth Century was a Century was a time of great human advancement. time of great human advancement. Especially in the sciences, arts, Especially in the sciences, arts, architecture and learning.architecture and learning.

However it was a period when some of the However it was a period when some of the most notorious popes lived.most notorious popes lived.

During this period several of the popes are During this period several of the popes are alleged to have gained this most sacred alleged to have gained this most sacred office through bribery and corruption.office through bribery and corruption.

Papal CorruptionPapal Corruption

Examples of papal corruption during the Examples of papal corruption during the period include:period include:

•The votes of cardinals being bought in The votes of cardinals being bought in the papal elections.the papal elections.

• Successful candidates rewarded their Successful candidates rewarded their supporters with ecclesiastical offices.supporters with ecclesiastical offices.

•Two popes openly having mistresses.Two popes openly having mistresses.

•Members of the pope’s own family Members of the pope’s own family being advanced in the Church.being advanced in the Church.

Fact or Fiction?Fact or Fiction?

A A Spanish cardinal fathered Spanish cardinal fathered six children by his mistress. six children by his mistress. Later he was elected pope. Later he was elected pope. Some of his children were Some of his children were given high positions in the given high positions in the Church. Church.

His son Caesar was first a His son Caesar was first a bishop and later a general bishop and later a general in the pope’s army.in the pope’s army.

Alexander VI 1492 - Alexander VI 1492 - 15031503

Pope Alexander VI’s daughter Pope Alexander VI’s daughter Lucretia. She married twice and Lucretia. She married twice and had a less than virtuous had a less than virtuous reputationreputation..

Another pope, Julius II Another pope, Julius II (1503 – 1513) is (1503 – 1513) is reputed to have reputed to have attacked an enemy attacked an enemy town with his papal town with his papal army.army.

Try to picture His Try to picture His Holiness, the Bishop Holiness, the Bishop of Rome, in white of Rome, in white shining armour, shining armour, charging across a charging across a field on a warhorse field on a warhorse with papal flags with papal flags flying.flying.

Such disgraceful Such disgraceful examples seemed to be examples seemed to be an excuse for many an excuse for many priests, bishops and priests, bishops and cardinals to break their cardinals to break their vows and live immoral vows and live immoral and shameful lives.and shameful lives.

The Winds of The Winds of ChangeChange

While some members of While some members of the Church’s hierarchy the Church’s hierarchy led sinful lives many led sinful lives many ordinary Christians ordinary Christians remained faithful to the remained faithful to the Gospel.Gospel.

Good people were Good people were genuinely appalled by the genuinely appalled by the example set for them and example set for them and longed for reform.longed for reform.

Erasmus (1469 – 1536)Erasmus (1469 – 1536)

Erasmus was the illegitimate son of a Erasmus was the illegitimate son of a priest. He was also an outspoken critic of priest. He was also an outspoken critic of the Church.the Church.

Of the life of the popes he wrote:Of the life of the popes he wrote:

““So many riches, honours, trophies, So many riches, honours, trophies, offices, dispensations, taxes, offices, dispensations, taxes, indulgences; so many horses, mules, indulgences; so many horses, mules, guards and so many pleasures….They guards and so many pleasures….They should have to be replaced by vigils, should have to be replaced by vigils, fasts, tears, prayers, sermons, study and fasts, tears, prayers, sermons, study and penance.”penance.”

Religious Practices.Religious Practices.

The reformers were concerned about The reformers were concerned about the unsound religious practices which the unsound religious practices which pre-occupied the time of the pre-occupied the time of the ignorant masses.ignorant masses.

Some of these practices seemed to Some of these practices seemed to have evolved out of superstition.have evolved out of superstition.

One such practice was the gaining of One such practice was the gaining of indulgences., which offered release indulgences., which offered release from punishment for the sins from punishment for the sins committed in this life.committed in this life.

IndulgencesIndulgences

Indulgences were guarantees sold on behalf Indulgences were guarantees sold on behalf of the Church.of the Church.

There seemed to be a lot of There seemed to be a lot of misunderstanding on what an indulgence misunderstanding on what an indulgence could do.could do.

Generally it was thought that the document Generally it was thought that the document guaranteed the holder release from guaranteed the holder release from punishment in purgatory for sins committed punishment in purgatory for sins committed and forgiven in this life.and forgiven in this life.

The money collected was to be used for the The money collected was to be used for the building of a new St Peter’s Church in Rome.building of a new St Peter’s Church in Rome.

Many believed that Many believed that indulgences could do indulgences could do things like:things like:

•Forgive sins, even Forgive sins, even those which had not those which had not been committed yet!been committed yet!

•Allow the purchaser Allow the purchaser to escape purgatory.to escape purgatory.

•Allow the dead to Allow the dead to escape purgatory.escape purgatory.

All of this for a small price!All of this for a small price!

With the assistance of With the assistance of fervent preachers very fervent preachers very large sums of money large sums of money were collected.were collected.

While most of the money While most of the money went to Rome for the went to Rome for the building of a new St building of a new St PetersPeters..

Some bishops received a Some bishops received a cut of the takings for cut of the takings for allowing the indulgence allowing the indulgence to be preached in their to be preached in their Diocese. This caused a lot Diocese. This caused a lot of resentment.of resentment.

ReformReformThe Church made a half hearted The Church made a half hearted attempt to reform itself. attempt to reform itself.

In 1512 the Fifth Lateran Council In 1512 the Fifth Lateran Council opened.opened.

It condemned some abuses and It condemned some abuses and set out a programme of reform.set out a programme of reform.

Very little progress was made by Very little progress was made by the time the Council closed in the time the Council closed in March of 1517. March of 1517.

In October of In October of the same year the same year a German a German priest called priest called Martin Luther Martin Luther nailed up 95 nailed up 95 theses against theses against indulgences indulgences and other and other abuses on the abuses on the door of the door of the castle church in castle church in Wittenberg.Wittenberg.

The Reformation had The Reformation had begunbegun

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Words :Kevin Havell.Words :Kevin Havell.

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