During the Renaissance (from the fourteenth to sixteen centuries), a strong movement of criticism began to swell from within the Church. People wanted to reform the Church's structures and hierarchy.
Many of these criticisms were well founded, such as those that challenged financial corruption.
Understandably, the reformers became overwhelmingly frustrated and disillusioned with the refusal of church authorities to recognise the need for renewal.
Unfortunately, however, some protesters ('Protestants') like Martin Luther gave up hope that the Church would ever reform. Instead of choosing to stay within the Church and press for change, they broke away and established their own churches. A tragic split in Christianity resulted. A unified Christian consciousness was shattered into denominational thinking.
To this day the Church remains deeply affected by this tragic chapter in history (for which both sides must share the blame) when our differences of opinion were allowed to override an even greater reality: our unity as the body of Christ.
After this division, the Roman Catholic Church (as it was now called, having stayed in union with the Pope) began a period of reconstruction and inner reform.
Catholics Though the Ages
