One of the main reasons why the Reformation came about was
the practice of the Indulgence by the Catholic Church. It was a way where one can lessen the amount
of punishment through a fee or an activity. This has caused a controversy
during the time because it made people believe that salvation and forgiveness
could be bought. Martin Luther was very
much opposed to the practice of selling Indulgences and his critic of the
practice eventually led to his break from Rome and founded the Lutheran
Church. The Counter-Reformation made
some changes to curb the excesses of Indulgences but nonetheless this practice help
end religious unity in Western Europe.
