Important People of the Reformation

Ignatius of Loyola

A Spanish nobleman who founded the Jesuits

Ulrich Zwigli

A priest in Zurich. Proposed religious reforms, inspired by Martin Luther. A new church service consisting of scripture reading, prayer, and sermons replaced Catholic Mass.

Martin Luther

Began the Reformation in the early 16th century. Monk and professor at the University of Wittenberg, in Germany

Pope Leo X

Did not take Luther's criticism of the use of indulgences seriously.

John Calvin

French theologian who believed in the justification of faith alone to explain how humans achieved salvation.Emphasized the all-powerful nature of God.

Anabaptists

Individuals who strongly believed in the separation of the Church and state. Considered all Christian believers to be equal.

The Jesuits

One of the pillars of the Catholic Reformation. Members vowed absolute obedience to the pope. Important instrument in papal policy

Charles the V

The Holy Roman Emperor who ruled an enormous territory. Held the Diet of Worms. Believed he could convince Luther to change his ideas, failed. Excommunicated Luther through the Edict of Worms

Desiderius Erasmus

The best known of all Christian humanists. Believed that Christianity should show people how to live on a daily basis rather than a system of beliefs for salvation.

Henry VIII

disagreed with Luther's theology, but found it politically convenient to break with the Catholic Church, HRE reluctant to approve divorce