The Councils of Faith and Reformation 

Committee Description

Since the Crusades, Catholicism has dominated the religious landscape of Europe. The Roman Catholic Church accumulated vast power through its large following, becoming deeply corrupt and intolerant of any criticism. 

However, the situation changed dramatically on October 31, 1517, when theologian Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Church in Germany. Luther heavily criticized the Roman Catholic Church’s practice of selling indulgences, arguing that the Church was abusing its authority by reiterating falsehoods to raise money, exploiting the poor. Furthermore, the theologian emphasized that salvation came from faith alone, not through deeds or payments. 

Through the newly invented printing press, his radical ideas spread across Europe, prompting many religious individuals to question the legitimacy of the Roman Catholic Church. The foundations of the Roman Catholic Church began to crumble as the Protestant Reformation gained momentum, marking the start of the second schism of Catholicism.