Final answer:
Desiderius Erasmus, a proponent of Christian humanism during the Renaissance, was critical of the Catholic Church in 'Praise of Folly' and influenced Martin Luther's reform efforts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The famous Christian humanist who was critical of Catholic clerics for being overly focused on ceremony, wealth, and politics during the Renaissance, and authored "Praise of Folly," is Desiderius Erasmus. Erasmus promoted the philosophy of Christian humanism, which valued the inner transformation of the soul through Christian teachings above outward religious ceremonies. He influenced many, including Martin Luther, who is often credited with starting the Protestant Reformation. Erasmus's criticisms of the Catholic Church were seen as laying the groundwork for the radical changes Luther would later advocate.