Corruption In The Roman Catholic Church

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The Roman Catholic Church is known as the pinnacle of the unified Christendom throughout the 5th to the 15th century. However, during the 16th century, the unified Christendom came apart which caused the Reformation movement. The essential cause of the Reformation movement, the confessional conflicts, and dismantling of the unified Christendom is clerical corruption within the Roman Catholic Church. The priests claim to power and governmental support is the reason clerical corruption came about. Reformers such as Martin Luther and Henrich von Kettenbach, and many others did not like the clerical rule. The Reformers speak against indulgences, simony, and their control of the word. All these factors are responsible for the Reformation movement.
Consequently, Roman Catholic priests overwhelming authority over the church and state caused clerical corruption. For example, various popes would argue that God gave them rule over men and state. To understand the claims popes made, it is necessary for the reader to see their power in action. Pope Gelasius writes to Emperor Augustus, "Besides, most gracious son, you are aware that, although you in your office are the ruler of the human race, nevertheless you devoutly bow your head before those who are leaders in things divine and look to them for the means of your salvation" (Placher, 123). Gelasius emphasizes his power over the Roman Emperor because he oversees souls ( the rulers and the people) and everyone should fall in line with what he states. After all, he is a man of God and he is never wrong. The Roman Catholic papacy's power made people and rulers fearful, too. Everyone fell subject and any who spoke was burned at the stake. This led to corrupt activity such as indulgences and simony.
“All of them want to lead a life of pleasure and abundance in princely pomp and circumstance, without having to work for it” (Ozment, 54). The laity support the church and the papacy. The Reformers argue the clergy hid behind holy clothes, instead they use the money for their own personal gain. The people grew poorer and the church grew richer. The Reformers were angry and spoke about it. The papacy fights these accusation causing conflict within the

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