1. Problems in Roman Catholic Church

2. Medieval Catholic Church
Was the only Christian church in most of Europe
The people of Europe were very devout
Everyone was concerned about going to heaven
Catholics believe in Purgatory-a place between heaven and hell where a soul stays until the person has done penance for any sins

3. Abuses in the Church Clergy was poorly trained and often illiterate
Higher ranking clergy were more interested in materialism (lifestyle)
Popes needed lots of money to pay for lifestyle, wars, and beautiful cathedrals
Often clergy bought their positions-simony
Indulgences were sold as penance for sins, but often paid for Church projects

4. Merchants and the Church
Because of trade with Middle East, merchants needed to borrow money to pay for ships and trading goods
The Catholic church banned usury
Usury=lending money at interest
Merchants resented they could only borrow money from non-Christian moneylenders
They began to demand changes.
Some set up banks to lend money-de Medicis

5. Italian Domination of Church
Italians filled many of the high positions in the Catholic Church-bishops, archbishops, popes
All members of Catholic Church had to tithe 10% of their income
Most money went to high clergy positions or to Rome (Italians)
German princes and English royalty disliked Italian domination of the Church
Wanted money to stay in their lands

6. Church’s Political Power
Catholic church owned HUGE amounts of land throughout Europe--probably more than 30%
They paid no taxes on this land
High ranking clergy held political/feudal positions in many lands increasing the Church’s power
The pope ruled as a political leader-he ruled a large part of Italy-the Papal States.
He often fought wars to control and expand his holdings.

7. Indulgences Were sold by the Church as a penance for sins
Much of the money went to the pope
The pope needed money to build St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome
He sent Johan Tetzel to Germany to sell indulgences
He sent other priests throughout Europe

8. Indulgences
To sell more indulgences, Tetzel claimed they could get a dead person’s soul out of Purgatory
“The moment a coin in the coffer rings, a soul to heaven springs”
Many were outraged by Tetzel’s selling technique, including Martin Luther
This led to the Reformation