Martin Luther (Part 2) |
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Pope Leo X desparately needed funds for the building of St Peter's in Rome. Archbishop Albert of Hohenzollern was badly in debt because he had borrowed money to buy the archbishoprics of Mainz and Magdeburg and the bishopric of Halberstadt. The Pope and Albert agreed that both their needs could be met by the sale of indulgences in Alberts domains. They would split the proceeds fifty-fifty. Martin Luther was not aware of these arrangements. What gave him great concern was the very idea that it was possible to buy forgiveness and remission from purgatory. He was not alone in disliking the sale of indulgencies. Frederic of Saxony had forbidden their sale in his lands so Wittenburg itself was free of the problem. However, the people of Wittenburg were prepared to travel outside the area in order to purchase them. Luther posted on the door of Wittenburg Church a series of topics for debate, known as the 95 Theses1. These were written in Latin and were, therefore, intended for theologians, not the ordinary people. Not realising (in fact being unprepared to believe) that the Pope had sanctioned the sale of indulgences, he sent a copy of the theses to Pope Leo along with an explanation of his views. The Pope, under pressure from the cardinals, called Luther to Rome to answer charges of heresy. Frederic of Saxony managed to persuade the Pope that the hearing could be in Germany. At a hearing in Augsburg in 1518 there was no definite decision and two parties began to form - Luther's supporters and his enemies. The more pressure the Pope put on Luther the more he distanced himself from the authority of the Pope to rely on the authority of Scripture. The Pope wanted Luther in Rome. Frederic wanted him in Germany. The emperor, Charles V needed Frederic's support for a war against the Turks so could not support the Pope against Frederic. Eventually Luther was called to an imperial hearing at Worms - the Diet of Worms. He was called upon to retract his views. He replied with the - now famous - words, "I cannot and will not recant anything, for it is neither safe nor honest to act against one's conscience. God help me. Amen." From this time onward, Luther was excommunicated and virtually an outlaw and Luther's followers later began to be thought of as Protestants. (See Article "Martin Luther Pt 3") We will see how this new movement became the spearhead of the Reformation in the next article. Notes: 1 The 95 Theses in English may be viewed here. This is an external file.
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