The Modern Age in Europe-

Reformation
The act of improving or changing somebody or something. The
reformation refers specifically in Europe which was a religious change
started in1517 by the Protestants who wished to reform/change the
catholic church.
 3 Dimensions of Reformation
1. Religious Dimension: The church was divided into two parts Roman Catholic & the
protestants.
2. Political Dimension: Many rulers of Europe resented Pope’s interference in political &
administrative matters.
3. Counter reformation: Some pious Catholic churchmen started reforming, rather than
joining the protestants.

Dissatisfaction with the practices
of the Catholic Church
1.In the beginning, the clergy led an
exemplary life commanded great respect in
the society but with the passage of time,
moral decay crept into the functioning of the
church.
2. Clergy became tempted towards money
and paid less attention towards their religious
duties.
3. The funds of the church were spent lavishly
on erecting artistic cathedrals and churches.
4. The chief of the church in every state was
supposed to pay his 1st years income to the
Pope as Annate or the first fruit.
5.1/10 of the income of a person was given to
the church. This was called the tithe.
6. Clergy collected another tax called the
Peter’s Pence from the people. Every
household was supposed to pay one penny
annually to the pope.
7. The Church offices and other benefits were
given on consideration of material benefit.
This practice is known as Simony.
Causes of the Reformation
New learning
1. Renaissance had encouraged
independent and original
thinking on scientific lines.
2. Renaissance also developed
new learning and spirit of
enquiry so they started
questioning the superiority of
the Church.
3. The invention of printing press
and the printing of the Bible in
vernacular languages brought a
new outlook among laymen.
4. The Bible was translated from
Latin into regional languages.
As a result, ordinary people
who did not know Latin, came
to know the actual teachings of
the Bible. The Church practices
were considered to be
incorrect and unacceptable.
Immediate Cause
1. The immediate cause of the
Reformation was the Sale of
Indulgences in Wittenberg.
2. These certificates of pardon were
being sold on behest of the pope to
raise funds for re-designing St.
Peter's Church in Rome. This was
strongly objected to by Martin
Luther.
3. He believed that it was wrong to
encourage people to think that they
could buy the absolution of their sin
and a way to heaven.
4. He listed his objections which
became known as The Nighty Five
Theses.
 Martin Luther’s Contribution
• Martin Luther, a German clergyman and professor of Theology at the University of Wittenburg, openly criticised Papacy.
• Martin Luther raised a strong voice and launched a movement against the abuses in the church an the authority of the Pope.
• He accused the Church for the sale of Indulgences.
• He posted Ninety Five Theses or statements on the Church door at Wittenburg.
• He strongly opposed the sale and purchase of the Indulgences as a means of salvation.
• He had a firm faith in the Bible, but not in the Pope.
• Luther’s theses created a stir in the Christian world. For this, he was warned. He burnt the warning letter in front of some
university students and professors. On the order of Pope, the German Emperor Charles V ordered Luther to appear before Diet
od worms where he was asked to withdraw all his teachings. He firmly refused.
• He was kept hidden in a castle for about a year as his life was threatened, there he wrote the New Testament of the Bible into
German.
• He set up an independent Church. Those who left the Catholic Church came to be known as the Protestants because they
protested against the practices of the Roman Catholic Church.
• Lutheranism was recognised as a legal form of Christianity by a treaty known as The Peace of Augsburg in1555 AD, nine years
after death.
• This treaty was signed between the Schmalkaldic League(formed by Luther and some German princes)and Roman Catholic
Church, after a long civil war.
• The southern states of Germany continued to remain loyal to the Catholic Church whereas northern states of Germany accepted
Lutheranism.

In order to restore the creditability
of the Catholic Church, a large
number of dedicated Christians
including some popes introduced
certain reforms within the Church.
This movement is known as the
Counter Reformation
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Counter Reformation
As a result of the Counter
Council of Trent convened in North Italy by Reformation, different religious
Pope Paul-III in 1545 AD, took certain orders were founded. One of them
measures for reforming the Catholic Church. was the Society of Jesus founded by
The sale of Indulgences was stopped. Ignatius Loyola, a Spanish noble. It
Church officers were to be appointed on was successful in winning back
merit. more adherents in Europe, India,
Seminars to educate and train the priests China, Africa & America.
were started.
No fees were to be charged fort religious
services.
Sermons were to be given in the language of
the people.