18 Questions
What portion of a person's income was typically given to the Church during the time period discussed?
One-tenth
Who was the German clergyman and professor of Theology known for openly criticizing the papacy?
Martin Luther
What was the main subject of 'In Praise of Folly' that exposed the practices of the Church?
Desiderius Erasmus
During the dissolution of monasteries in 1536, which King of England acquired the Church lands?
Henry VIII
What was the primary purpose of indulgences during this historical period?
Letters of pardon that could be bought
Which council took responsibility for establishing seminaries to educate and train priests during this era?
Council of Trent
What was the main target of the religious movements known as the Reformation?
The Pope
What was the primary purpose of a Letter of Indulgence during the Reformation era?
To remit punishments for sins
How did priests traditionally handle a person who had sinned before the availability of Letters of Indulgence?
By assigning special services or pilgrimages
What led to the issuing of Letters of Indulgence by Pope Leo X?
To fund the construction of St. Peter's Church
Why did various countries start their own versions of the Protestant Movement?
To oppose objectionable practices of the Church
What was a key reason why kings supported the Reformation Movement?
To counter the Pope's interference in political affairs
Why did the rulers of Europe quarrel with the Popes in the 13th century?
Over the royal right to tax Church property
What prompted Desiderius Erasmus to write 'In Praise of Folly'?
To expose objectionable practices of the Church like charging fees for salvation
How did King Henry VIII of England curb the power of the Pope?
By passing an Act to dissolve the monasteries and acquire their wealth
What was the primary goal of the Counter Reformation?
To strengthen and restore credibility to the Catholic Church
What was a significant action taken by the Council of Trent during the Counter Reformation?
Banning books with anti-Catholic teachings
What was one key role assigned to seminaries during the Counter Reformation?
To train priests and educate them on Church doctrines
Study Notes
The Reformation
- The Reformation was a group of religious movements of the 16th century launched by Christians against the drawbacks of the Church and objectionable practices of clergymen.
- The main target of these movements was the Pope, the highest authority in Church hierarchy.
Indulgences
- Indulgences were Letters of Pardon that could be bought to remit punishments for sins in this life and after death.
- They were issued by Pope Leo X, who needed money to build St. Peter's Church.
- Normally, priests imposed a penance or punishment on a person who had sinned, but they could be freed from doing penance by buying a Letter of Indulgence.
Protestant Movement
- The Protestant Movement was a movement against the Church and their objectionable practices.
- The movement started in different countries with different names but were collectively termed as Reformation.
Kings and the Reformation
- Kings supported the Reformation Movement to weaken the Church.
- The kings opposed the Pope's interference in political affairs.
- As early as the 13th century, the rulers of Europe had quarrelled with the Popes over the royal right to tax the Church property.
Erasmus
- Desiderius Erasmus was a Dutch philosopher and humanist.
- He prepared the ground for the Reformation by exposing the Church for their objectionable practices like charging fees for salvation.
- He wrote the book 'In Praise of Folly'.
Henry VIII
- King Henry VIII of England got the Church lands and in 1536 passed an Act for the dissolution of monasteries.
- He closed small monasteries with an income of less than £200 a year and took their buildings, land, and money.
- By another Act of 1539, larger monasteries were closed.
- He destroyed the monastic system, acquired its wealth and property, and removed the influence of the Pope.
Counter Reformation
- The Counter Reformation was a movement to restore the credibility of the Catholic Church.
- It was introduced by dedicated Christians, including some popes, who made reforms within the Church.
Council of Trent
- The Council of Trent was a Church council convened at Trent in North Italy in 1545 by Pope Paul III.
- It made a number of changes in the Catholic Church, including:
- Expanding its doctrines in light of changed attitudes.
- Condemning an irresponsible religious life by the clergy.
- Banning books with anti-Catholic teachings.
- Regarded the Pope as the head of the Catholic Church and the final interpreter of Christian doctrine.
- Establishing seminaries to educate and train priests.
- Forbidding the Church to charge fees for conducting religious services.
- Advocating the use of the local language for preaching in the Church.
Test your knowledge of Church history with questions on income contributions, critiques of Church practices, relationships with French monarchy, and influential figures like Desiderius Erasmus.
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