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Stances and Responses of the Catholic Church

Catholic Church Stance 1 ​​​: Ignore

October 1517

Initially the Church and Leo X, ignored Martin Luther and his proposals. The newly invented Gutenberg printing press assisted in the distribution of Luther's teachings across Germany and Europe

Archbishop Mainz (whom had bought his position as archbishop, using the sale of indulgences to repay the debt because of Luther's objection to indulgences

Catholic Church Stance 2: Write a Letter (Refute)

February 1518

Pope Leo was forced to response. Martin Luther was an Augustinian monk, and Pope Leo asked the vicar-general of the Augustinian monks to write to Martin Luther to tell him to recant

Catholic Church Stance 3: Summons to a meeting (condemn)

Augsburg, Bavaria - Now part of Germany

October 1518

Luther was summoned to a meeting with the pope's representative Cardinal Cajetan, who demanded that Luther recant - which he had no intention of doing. Luther had thought that he would have an opportunity to debate his beliefs, but this was not the case

CatholiC Church Stance 4: Issue a papal bull (official statement of the pope) ; Defend current practice and condemn the challenge

November 1518

Pope Leo X wrote a papal bull stating that the selling of indulgences should be maintained as an attempt to defend the current practice as well as Luther and his teachings

Stance 5 Public debate why Luther’s beliefs were wrong: Condemn

German state of Saxony

June-July 1519

At this debate Luther said scripture was the only authority he would accept. Luther’s ideas continue to spread.

In contrast to Christian theology at the time, Luther argued for the 5 Solas.

For Luther, the attainment of the right relationship with God is something which can only come about through faith - a pure unmerited gift, which we have done nothing to deserve.