Mediaeval Temples of the Dakhan c14.26

c14.26

The state of the Church of Rome was, at this time, far from being in a prosperous condition. The corruption of the clergy, the ignorance of the people, and the general decay of religion, were such as to call for a reformation. The Pope himself, who was the head of the Church, was often a man of profligate life, and the cardinals and bishops were, for the most part, men of the same character. The monasteries, which had been founded for the purpose of promoting religion and learning, had become the seats of vice and superstition. The people, who were kept in ignorance, were easily led astray by the arts of the clergy, and the whole system of the Church was one of corruption and abuse.