The Protestant Reformation: The Roman Catholic Church

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In this weeks lecture I found the Protestant Reformation very interesting, particularly since I am a Protestant myself. The Roman Catholic Church was one of the most spiritually, politically and powerful entity, wielding it’s power and monopolizing much of Western Europe. It was led by the Pope, and by three Popes simultaneously during the 1300s - 1400s. The Popes lived like kings, had wealth and power, commanding armies, making alliances and even waged wars. Simony (the selling of church offices) was customary, while nepotism was rampant and financial gain seemed to be the crux. The church practiced the sale of indulgences wherein they acknowledged a donation or charitable work with a paper certifying that a soul would enter heaven sooner.