Prodestant reformation

Philip IV of France

King who taxed the French clergy, leading to a power struggle with the papacy.

Papacy relocation to Avignon

Resulted in decreased prestige and increased taxation on clergy.

Great Schism

A division in the Church due to political and religious disagreements, causing instability in Europe.

Papacy's prestige decline

Resulted in diminished authority and led to distinctions between different churches.

Conciliar movement

Sought to reform the Church by limiting papal control through councils.

Internal reform tradition

Initiated by figures like Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, who criticized the Church's condition.

Humanist authors' views

Advocated for reform through education and social change in the late 15th and early 16th centuries.

Clerical morality issues

Declined education and enforcement of rules among clergy, leading to greed.

Pluralism and absenteeism

Notorious example of Antoine du Prat, who neglected his cathedral duties.

Edict of Worms

Attempted to silence the Lutheran movement but failed due to the printing press.

Divergence from Catholic theology

Luther's rejection of the seven sacraments and papal infallibility.

Renaissance-era papacy

Characterized by opulence and militarism, leading to discontent among faithful.

Erasmus's "In Praise of Folly"

Critiqued superficiality and hypocrisy among religious figures, advocating for reform.

Lay investiture

Kings appointed clergy for personal gain, undermining Church authority.

Sale of indulgences

Violated Catholic doctrine by allowing the purchase of forgiveness for sins.

Pope Leo X's behavior

His opulence and indulgence sales contributed to the Church's moral decline.

Luther's Ninety-Five Theses

Critiqued indulgences and papal authority, emphasizing scripture's authority.

Initial papal inaction

Allowed Luther to expand his arguments and gain support before a response.

Diet of Worms

Luther's tribunal that highlighted the growing influence of German princes over religious matters.

Edict of Worms enforcement challenges

Relied on local rulers, with support for Luther complicating compliance.

Luther's views on salvation

Emphasized justification by faith alone, contrasting with Catholic teachings on works.

Papal infallibility rejection

Luther argued that scripture is the ultimate authority, not the Pope.

Authority in spiritual matters

Luther believed in individual interpretation of scripture, challenging Church hierarchy.

Priesthood of all believers

Luther's concept that all Christians can access God directly, unlike Catholic doctrine.

Interpretation of scripture

Luther encouraged personal reading of the Bible, opposing clergy's exclusive role.