Question

Explain the three main abuses that most distressed Church reformers.

Answer 1

Church reformers were mainly distressed by the sale of indulgences, clerical corruption including simony and nepotism, and the excessive political involvement and power of the papacy leading up to the Protestant Reformation.

Step-by-step explanation:

During the period leading up to the Protestant Reformation, Church reformers were most distressed by three main abuses within the Catholic Church. These included the sale of indulgences, clerical corruption such as simony and nepotism, and the excessive political and worldly power of the papacy.

Indulgences were a particular concern for Martin Luther, who criticized the Church for allowing the wealthy to essentially purchase their way to forgiveness. This practice suggested that spiritual redemption could be bought rather than granted by God's grace alone.

Clerical corruption in the form of simony, the sale of church offices, and nepotism, favoritism based on family connections, undermined the spiritual integrity of the Church. These practices indicated that positions within the Church were treated as commodities rather than sacred responsibilities.

The political power of the papacy was another significant issue. With popes commanding armies and engaging in temporal politics, they often neglected their role as spiritual leaders, which contributed to the perception that the Church was too engrossed in worldly affairs.

Answer 2

There were of course more than three abuses that most distressed Church reformers, but perhaps the top three would have been indulgences, idolitry, and over-spending.