Continues
from the previous post –
Rome's
development and the 15th century Renaissance - continues
The
temporal schemes of Julius II designed to serve Rome's best interest
within the turmoil of Italy. By the time of his death, in 1513, that
seems to have been largely achieved. Papal land has been recovered
from the Venetians. The French have been driven from northern Italy.
Nevertheless, a more lasting threat to the papacy is about to emerge
in Germany
prompted, ironically, by Julius's ambitious scheme for the rebuilding
of St Peter's.
Present
construction of St. Peter was designed by architect, Bramante, and
that began in 1506. This construction continues until 1590 until his
death; after Bramante, Raphael, Michelangelo, and several others
succeeded him. Today this building is viewed as symbol of papal
authority. Meanwhile the need for funds for the vast new project,
together with the unscrupulous manner in which Renaissance popes are
willing to raise those funds, provokes the great central crisis of
Europe in the 16th century - the Reformation. The flash point proves
to be Germany as usual.
To
complete prestigious project of St. Peter, Popes broke all limits of
morality and indulgence in most objectionable methods. Notable
amongst them are those used by Albert, archbishop of Mainz and one of
the seven
imperial electors. Pope Leo
makes it possible for Albert to recover his costs by granting him the
concession for the sale of indulgences towards the building of St
Peter's. Half the money for each indulgence will go to Rome; the
other half will help to pay off Albert's debts (he has borrowed the
money for the original donation from the Fuggers
of Augsburg).
Indulgence is a false promise that bishop gives to gullible faithful
and in return collect some money or donations by way of compensation.
This secret arrangement might distress the faithful if they knew of
its falsity. However, more immediately shocking to some is the
behavior of the friar Johann Tetzel, whom Albert employs to sell the
indulgences.
Indulgence
is remission from a punishment (probably by God) given to somebody
for wrong or sinful acts. Church was collecting funds on that
account!
Tetzel
was a showman; when preaching to gullible crowds in German towns he
goes far beyond the official doctrine of indulgences.
He promises the immediate release of loved ones from the pain of
Purgatory as soon as a purchase is made. He even has a catchy jingle
to make the point, for example:
'As
soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from Purgatory
springs.'
In
October 1517, some parishioners return to Wittenberg with
indulgences, which they have bought from Tetzel - indulgences so
powerful, some have been led to believe, that they could pardon a man
who had raped the Virgin Mary. News of this travesty reaches the ears
of a professor at the University of Wittenberg.
The Renaissance Papacy
is known for its artistic and architectural patronage, forays into
European power politics, and theological challenges to papal
authority. After the start of the Protestant Reformation, the
Reformation Papacy and Baroque Papacy led the Catholic Church through
the Counter-Reformation.
Continues
in the next post –
You may contact
me on my Email ID given below,
You are invited to
visit my other blogs
Ashok
Kothare, http://ashokkotharesblog.blogspot.com/
for
stories
I
reckon,
http://kotharesviews.blogspot.com/
for philosophy
You
may visit blog, Freedom of Expression,
Freedom
of Expression, http://kothare-thinks.blogspot.in/
Marathi
blog, http://kothare-marathi.blogspot.in/
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