From the options below, which best explains the changes that occurred in the Catholic Church from the Middle Ages to the Reformation movements?
to the Reformation movements?
Question 24 options:
1.The Catholic Church had nearly absolute power in Europe during the middle ages, being able to control even the most powerful kings. However, this power became too great and the church became corrupted. Some religious scholars began to challenge the Church on its corruption, people like Martin Luther and John Calvin, but now they could no longer silence these people as kings began to challenge the church as well. After the reformation movements, Europe is now left divided between Protestants and Catholics, ending religious unity, allowing powerful monarchies to rise above the power of the church.
2.The Catholic Church had always struggled to maintain control of the kings of Europe, constantly having to go to war with them to subdue them. Finally, due to the reformation movements they were able to overpower these kings and consolidate religious rule in Europe.
3.The Catholics of Europe had total domination of politics in Europe during the middle ages, and despite the movements of Calvin, Luther and even the King of England, Henry VIII, they may have had their political control challenged, but they never lost control of Europe. Instead they were able to capture these traitors who were promptly executed during the Inquisition.
4.During the middle ages the Catholic Church was able to carry out its will on the Kings and Queens of Europe without fear of retaliation. This sparked anger among the people, who turned to Luther, Calvin and other Protestant leaders. Seeing how they mishandled the situation, the Pope invited those leaders to Rome, where they worked out a compromise, united the Catholics and Protestants more than ever before.