Question

List in about five lines some major consequences of Reformation

Answer 1

Hello, here are some major consequences of Protestant Reformation:

1) The Reformation made liturgy and church services accessible to lay people.

For many centuries , worshipping was an exclusive activity of people across Western Europe and it was only performed in Latin. Against this practices, the Reformation translated the Mass into local languages. This change made worshipping accessible to many people.

2) The Reformation exposed corruption in church.

Before the Reformation, some churches were being funded by selling indulgences. Also, bishops were simultaneously serving as dukes in order to draw more money. Another important consequence of Reformation was the exposition of corruption in church and how church leaders were seduced by wealth and power.

3) The Reformation garanteed women's leadership and influence in the church.

The radical Reformation welcomed women as ministers, including in preaching roles. To mention some of them: Agnes Linck, Ursula of Essen and Maria of Monjou. They were persecuted and martyred for their beliefs.

4) The Reformation helped in spreading literacy across the continent.

Before the Reformation, the only well-educated people were the members of the church, but thanks to the translation of the bible into local languages, it was possible for many people to read it in their own languages and it was accessible to the hearts and minds of common people. And that was an important way for them to educate themselves.

5) The cultural impact of the printing press and the reformation

Martin Luther took advantage of the printing press and started printing pamphlets for the people. He used printed images to teach the illiterate criticisms of the Catholic Church.

Answer 2

The Reformation triggered major consequences, such as:  

-the Thirty Years' War between Catholics and Protestants that ended with the Treaty of Westphalia (1648), which forced Catholic nations to recognize the existence of Protestant states.  

-the formalisation of the break with Rome, turning the Head of the English Crown, Henry VIII, as the Supreme Head of the now independent Church of England. Therefore, he was not subject to the Pope’s jurisdiction.  

-the exposition of profound corruption in the Church’s leadership and the dissolution of the monasteries, to put an end to alleged corrupt practices.  

-the Bible being more accessible to lay people: until the Reformation, the only Bible available to the Western Church was the Latin Vulgate. This was restricting to Catholics and contradictory to Luther’s hope that people “might seize and taste the clear, pure Word of God itself.”

- the Roman Catholic Church’s own reform, or Counter-Reformation, aimed at renewing and improving traditional structures of the church.