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Signs of Disorder in the Church. Early 16 th century, church critics concentrated on three disorders Clerical immorality Clerical ignorance Clerical pluralism. Clerical Immorality. Priest did not adhere to their vows of celibacy Drinking Gambling Indulgence in fancy dress.
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Signs of Disorder in the Church Early 16th century, church critics concentrated on three disorders • Clerical immorality • Clerical ignorance • Clerical pluralism
Clerical Immorality • Priest did not adhere to their vows of celibacy • Drinking • Gambling • Indulgence in fancy dress
Clerical Ignorance • Bishops only casually enforced regulations regarding education • Not as educated as the laypeople • Many cases of illiteracy • Mumbled Latin mass that could barely be understood
Clerical Pluralism • Many Clerics, especially higher up ones, rarely visited their churches • Often held more than one job and were paid more • Often held benefices in different countries
Image of the Church • The Church possessed a large proportion of the wealth of the countries of Europe • The spectacle of proud aristocratic priests living in magnificent splendor contrasted very unfavorably with the simple fisherman image of Jesus and his disciples
Ecumenical Council 1512-1517 • Called by Pope Julius II • Recommended higher standards for education • Placed responsibility for eliminating corruption on the Pope
Martin Luther 1483-1546 • Launched the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century • Very Conscientious friar • Scrupulously observed religious routine • Frequently fasted and went to confession
The Ninety-Five Thesis October 31, 1517 Wittenberg, Germany
What led to Luther Drafting his Thesis • Practice of Indulgences • Believed Indulgences secured a trip to heaven • Johan Tetzel, Dominican Friar • Sold indulgences in German “As soon as the coin in the coffer rings the soul from purgatory springs”
Luther sends a letter • Became upset with the Archbishop Albert of Magdeburg, who also was the administrator of Halberstadt and the archbishop of Mainz (pluralism) • After witnessing Tetzel wrote a letter to Archbishop Albert on the practice of indulgences • “Ninety-five Thesis on the Power of Indulgences” • Argument was that indulgences undermined the seriousness of the sacrament of penance • Competed with the gospel • Down played the importance of Christianity
Did he really nail the thesis to a Church door? • The story goes on October 31 1517 Luther nailed the Ninety-five Thesis to a door of a church in Wittenberg Castle. He picked October 31 because it was the day before All Saints Day and knew there would be a crowd. After posting the letter it supposedly spead throughout Europe in about six weeks thanks to the printing press • Some scholars believe this never happens because it was reported after Luther’s death by one of his disciples, Philipp Melanchtran
John Calvin 1509-1564 • Luther launched the Reformation Calvin Had a greater impact on its future • Was influenced by Ideas of English speaking peoples • Believed God selects certain people to do his work and he was one of them
Calvin’s Beliefs • Cornerstone was absolute sovereignty of God and the omnipotence of God in human life • Did not ascribe to freewill • Believed in Pre destination
What he Did • Founded the Geneva Conservatory • Set up a Theocracy • This was made up of 12 lay people a few pastors and Calvin • Designed to watch over all people and admonish them if they stepped out of line The Conservatory Regulated conduct more severely than the government at the time Between 1542 and 1546 seventy-two people were banished from Geneva and 56 executed for heresy, blasphemy and adultery
The Anabaptist • From Greek, means “to baptize again” • Believed only adults could make a free choice about religious faith • Took the gospel literally • Believed in religious toleration, never tried to force their religion on others • Were in a small minority most were either banished or executed • Some zealots tried hurry the end of the world by violent means • Baptist trace their origins today to the Anabaptist
The Church of England • Henry the VIII Was married to Catherine of Aragon • To marry Catherine, who was previously married to Henry’s brother Arthur, Henry got a dispensation from Pope Julius II • Then met Anne Boleyn and wanted to divorce Catherine • Henry petitioned Pope Clement VII for an annulment • Pope Clement would not grant the annulment because he was Catherine’s nephew • Clement also was stuck because if he gave in it would validate Luther’s claims the Pope their judgments for God’s
So what did Henry Do? • Used parliament to break with the Catholic Church • Parliament declared “The Act in Restraint and Appeals” in 1533 breaking from the Catholic Church • “The Supremacy act” of 1534 declared the king the leader of the Church of England • Marries Anne Boleyn
So then What • Anne does not produce a boy, has a girl Elizabeth • Henry has her beheaded for the crime of adultery • Parliament proclaimed the king will pick his own successor
English Succession / Henry’s Wives Wife Child Mary Tudor Elizabeth Edward VI No Sons • Catherine of Aragon • Anne Boleyn • Jane Seymour • Dies in child birth • Three more wives
How the Church of England Evolved • Dissolved the monasteries for their wealth • Edward succeeded the throne and exerted significant influence on the church • Arch bishop Thomas Cranmer simplified the liturgy and wrote the book of common prayer • Mary became queen and moved the church back towards Catholicism • Upon her death Elizabeth assumes the throne
How Elizabeth the I solidifies the Church of England • Had to compromise between the hardliners • Declared all had to attend the Church of England or would be fined • Moved the church moderately back to the protestant side • All services to be conducted in English • Clergy allowed to marry • Did not re establish monasteries
The Catholic Reformation • Council of Trent • The Inquisition • Founding the Jesuits • Theresa of Avila
Council of Trent • Met 1545 to 1563 • Called By Pope Paul III • Called to reform the church and to reconcile with the Protestants
What the Council of Trent accomplished • Gave equal validity to Scripture and to tradition as sources of religious truth • Re affirmed the seven sacramentsand transubstantiation • Required Bishops to live in their diocese • Forbade the sale if indulgences • Gave Bishops ultimate authority over priest in their Diocese • Insisted that admission to seminary be given to sons of poor rather than rich
What was the Inquisition? • Church Court set up during the Middle Ages • Used secret testimony torture and execution to root out heresy • Prepared the Index of Forbidden Books • This included Luther and Calvin's works
The Founding of the Jesuits“The Pope’s Marines” • Founded in 1540 • Started by Ignatius de Loyola a Spanish knight • Wounded in battle, lost his leg, turned to God • Strict religious code included rigorous training and absolute obedience • Used military background to mold the order • Set up schools and universities • Advisors to Catholic Rulers
Theresa of Avila • Entered convent as a youth • Felt it was not strict enough • Established her own order • Church was so impressed with her order that they asked her to help reform the convents in Spain
Widespread Persecution • Jewish Persecution • Witch Hunts
Persecuting the Jews • Pressure on the Jewish to convert • Spain expels Jewish 1492 • Venice orders Jewish to live in Ghetto’s • Luther called for them to be expelled from Germany when they would not convert • Migrated to the Netherlands and Ottoman Empire
Witch Hunts • 1450 and 1750 tens of thousands executed for witchcraft • Accused of being witches or agents of the devil • Mostly in Germany, Switzerland and France • Targeted beggars, midwives, and herbalist