the end of the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church was one of the richest and most powerful organizations in Europe.But this power was only apparent: among the parishioners and the simple and noble, more mature discontent absolute power of the clergy, which eventually resulted in the movement for the reorganization of the church - the Reformation.
reasons
By the end of the XV century in many European countries formed a strong royal authority.Kings, relying on the army and the bureaucracy, were unhappy with the intervention of popes in their affairs.Their valuable guidance monarchs were not necessary.Do not give rest to kings and wealth of the Catholic Church, which was one of the largest landowners in Europe.Yes, if only that!In tithing, payment for services and the sale of indulgences by the clergy earned so little money "swam" in the distant Rome.This monarch, of course, did not like.
Ordinary people do not like other religious orders.Firstly, the high cost of the various rites and extortion.Secondly, the language of worship - not everyone understands that there is the priest said in his Latin.But even more it does not like the fact that the church sanctified existing inequalities.It turned out that a man of humble origin had all my life to be anyone, even if it pulls people richer.Or tolerate a mockery by those in power only because it is, well, more than predicted.
beginning of the Reformation
greatest dissatisfaction with the Catholic Church caused in a fragmented Germany.So it is with her and began the Reformation in Europe.In 1517, a young professor of theology Martin Luther posted on the door of the palace church 95 Theses - his views on church order.The reason was the rampant sale of indulgences.These documents are, in modern terms, a certificate of absolution.They are sold by the monks, travels to Germany.Through indulgences the Pope planned to rebuild the church of St..Peter's in Rome.Luther condemned these orders.He believed that the pope any right to issue pardons.Luther also spoke out against the lush ceremonies, monasticism and celibacy given by priests.To the Bible was understandable to ordinary Germans, who did not know Latin, he translated it into their native language.
bold preaching Luther led Pope Leo X was worried.He urged him to renounce his views, and when he refused, declared him a heretic and excommunicated.But Luther was not deterred - on the contrary, received a papal bull, he tore it to shreds.At yesterday's professor there was the mass of supporters, including quite influential.One of the German princes hid it in his castle, where Luther wrote theological works.Meanwhile, the Reformation in Europe has developed more actively.Luther appeared followers who offered to go further by setting universal equality.Their leader, Thomas Muenzer led the rebellion grew into a peasant war.The German princes quickly pitched poorly armed rebels, not owning military affairs.The uprising was brutally suppressed.After that, the Reformation in Germany finally passed into the hands of the secular elite.
struggle between the two churches
However, not all the aristocracy accepted the ideas of Luther positively.Between Catholics and Protestants (the so-became known adherents of the new doctrine) armed struggle ensued.It lasted for a long time and ended Augsburg world, establish that every Prince himself has the right to determine what is a religion in his dominions.The idea to rebuild the church was contagious, and soon the Reformation in Europe has spread to the south of Germany, Switzerland, France, the Scandinavian countries.In the Netherlands, local Protestants generally revolted against Spanish rule and achieved independence.
original way developed the Reformation in England.King Henry VIII demanded that the Pope, who allowed him to divorce his wife once.He refused, and the monarch declared that the English Church is no longer dependent on Rome.For example, in 1534 the head of the clergy in this country, and along with a host of all the church property, he became king.It is clear that the failure of the Pope was merely a pretext for him to get hold of everything that belonged to the church.And that was done very quickly.The rest of the Anglican Church, as it is now called, has long looked like a Catholic.
However, by the middle of the XVI century the Catholic clergy came to life, and the Reformation in Europe to meet strong resistance.Forefront of the struggle against the Protestants was the Jesuit Order, founded in 1540 his followers set up in Europe a network of schools, who gave an excellent education and to inculcate loyalty to the students of the Catholic Church.The Jesuits did not hesitate and espionage, enveloped his agents all the royal court.These measures are largely allowed to stop the Reformation.But the former power of the Catholic Church no longer had.
