Final answer:
Martin Luther, a German monk and Professor of Theology, challenged the Catholic Church's sale of indulgences in 1517, initiating the Protestant Reformation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Martin Luther, a German monk and Professor of Theology at the University of Wittenberg, challenged the Catholic Church's sale of indulgences in 1517, initiating the Protestant Reformation. Luther posted his '95 Theses' on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, which were a list of statements expressing his concerns with church practices, particularly the sale of indulgences. His actions sparked a movement of protest and reform that eventually led to the formation of Protestant sects.