-
1020
Pope Gregory VII. (1020-1085)
He instituted reforms to combat simony, the buying and selling of church offices, and clerical marriage.
He advocated for papal supremacy over secular rulers, leading to conflicts with kings and emperors. -
1181
St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226)
He founded the Franciscan Order, emphasizing poverty, simplicity and service to the poor as a reform movement within the Church. -
1320
John Wycliffe (1320-1384)
He was an English theologian and reformer who questioned papal authority, clerical wealth and the doctrine of transubstantiation. He translated the Bible into English to make it accessible to the common people. -
1369
Jan Hus (1369-1415)
He was a Bohemian theologian and reformer who criticized the wealth and corruption of the Church. He advocated for greater access to the Bible in the vernacular and communion under both kinds for the laity. -
1400
Johannes Gutenberg (1400-1468)
He invented the movable-type printing press in 1440. It revolutionized the spread of information in Europe, it enabled the rapid and widespread dissemination of ideas. His invention played a crucial role in fueling the spread of Reformation ideas, allowing reformers to reach a broader audience and challenge the authority of the Catholic Church. -
1483
Martin Luther (1483-1546)
He was a monk of the Augustine Order and a professor of theology. He openly critized the letters of indulgence and he nailed his 95 thesis on the church door of Wittenberg. He wanted to reform the Church and establish a new one, where the Bible is the ultimate authority and not the pope. He advocated for salvation by faith alone, the priesthood of all believers and the primacy of scripture. -
1491
Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556)
He was a Spanish Basque priest and the founder of the Society of Jesus, known as the Jesuits. He played a significant role in the Counter-Reformation. They became staunch defenders of Catholic ortodoxy, undertaking missionary work, education and combating heresy. Their efforts contributed to the revitalization of the Catholic Church and the spread of Catholicism globally. -
1509
John Calvin (1509-1564)
He was a French theologian and reformer, who played a significant role in the Protestant Reformation. He developed a comprehensive theological system known as Calvinism, emphasizing predestination and the sovereignty of God. His teachings spread throughout Europe, influencing the establishment of Protestant churches and shaping the religious landscape of the era.