Decline of Church Power and the Reformation

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Decline of Church Power and the Reformation
2
Internal Corruption

• The Great Schism- two popes, weakened the
  churches authority
• Councils of bishops and cardinals tried to
  restore power of church but did not work
• Why?
• Some clergy sold indulgences (certificates to
  reduce or cancel punishment for sin)
• Church sold positions to highest bidder
• People questioned the spiritual leadership of the
  church

3
Call for reform

• Many people called for reform of the church
• Those who spoke out were heretics and were
  excommunicated or executed.

4
Martin Luther

• Priest in Wittenberg Germany
• Posted his 95 Thesis on the church door
• List of grievances against the church
• Followers of Luther were called Protestants
• Started the Reformation

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The Reformation

• Luthers ideas spread throughout Europe
• Luther was excommunicated by the pope
• Ideas spread quickly because
• People were tired of the corruption of the church
• Printing press allowed pamphlets to spread ideas

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95 Thesis

• In your group create a list of 15 grievances
  against the school. Answer the following
  questions when you are done.
• Where would you turn to get these problems
  addressed?
• What would happen if no one listened to you?
• How would you fell if you got kicked out of
  school for listing your grievances? Would that be
  fair? Why or why not?

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Directions

• Read the article about Martin Luther and answer
  the questions at the end.
• Answer questions in complete sentences
• CT?
• Infer (read between the lines) the type of person
  Martin Luther was. What character traits do you
  think he possessed? Use the quotes on the back of
  the handout as well as any other information
  learned in class to support your answer. DETAILS!