Question

With reference to the Reformation, answer the following:
Mention any three Church practices that caused dissatisfaction among the people.

Answer 1

1. Dissatisfaction with the practices of the Catholic Church: The Catholic Church, during the early medieval period, had become a vast hierarchical organisation headed by the Pope if Rome. The Pope was the supreme authority over the entire hierarchy and he exercised this authority directly. Systematic efforts were made to extend the authority of the Church over everyone, high or low. But during the 14th century, people became dissatisfied with some of the Church practices and this dissatisfaction paved the way for Reformation.
2. Corruption in the Church: Moral decay crept into some areas in the functioning of the Church. Some of the clergymen lacked proper education and some lived in luxury and neglected their religious duties. The priests promised salvation in exchange for fees. They could pronounce a marriage lawful or unlawful. In fact, there were fees for every transaction in life, from birth to death, fees for the peace of the soul, and fees for the souls of the people dead long ago. These practices were severely criticised and opposed by the people.
3. Movement against the Church: Anti-Church movements began in Europe in the middle ages. These movements directed their attacks on the wrongdoings of the Church. John Wycliffe, an English priest and Oxford professor, criticised the worldliness of the Church and some of its practices. He laid emphasis on the Bible as the sole guide for salvation. The Church ordered his expulsion from Oxford University where he was teaching. This creates dissatisfaction among scholars.