Johann Tetzel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Johann Tetzel
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| Born | c. 1465 Pirna, Electorate of Saxony
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| Died | 11 August 1519 (aged 53–54) Leipzig, Electorate of Saxony
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| Nationality | German |
| Occupation | Dominican preacher |
| Known for | Selling indulgences |
Johann Tetzel OP (born around 1465 – died August 11, 1519) was a German Dominican friar and preacher. He was appointed an Inquisitor for Poland and Saxony. Later, he became a main commissioner for selling special certificates called indulgences in Germany.
Tetzel was well-known for selling these indulgences on behalf of the Catholic Church. An indulgence was believed to reduce the punishment for sins that had already been forgiven. This practice was strongly questioned by Martin Luther. Tetzel's actions played a big part in starting the Protestant Reformation. The money raised from these indulgences was mainly used to help pay for the building of the new St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.
Contents
Early Life and Work
Tetzel was born in Pirna, a town in Saxony. He studied theology (the study of religious faith) and philosophy (the study of knowledge and existence) at Leipzig University. In 1489, he joined the Dominican Order, which is a group of Catholic friars. He became a successful preacher.
In 1502, a church leader named Cardinal Giovanni de' Medici (who later became Pope Leo X) asked Tetzel to preach about a special "Jubilee indulgence." Tetzel continued this work throughout his life. In 1509, he became an inquisitor in Poland. In January 1517, he was made a commissioner for indulgences for Archbishop Albrecht von Brandenburg.
Indulgences and Luther's Challenge
Tetzel earned advanced degrees in theology in 1517 and 1518. He defended the idea of indulgences against the arguments of Martin Luther. Luther was a monk who believed that people could only be saved by faith, not by buying indulgences.
It was said that Tetzel promised full forgiveness for sins that people had not even committed yet. This caused a lot of controversy. Many believed that all the money Tetzel collected was for rebuilding St. Peter's Basilica. However, half of the money actually went to the Archbishop of Mainz, Cardinal Albert of Brandenburg. This was to help him pay off debts from becoming archbishop.
Tetzel's Final Days
Tetzel faced criticism and accusations. He became very sad and unwell. He went to live in the Dominican monastery in Leipzig.
Tetzel died in Leipzig in 1519. By the time of his death, many people had lost respect for him. When Martin Luther heard that Tetzel was very ill, he wrote to comfort him. Luther told him not to worry, saying that the big changes happening were not Tetzel's fault. After his death, Tetzel was given an honorable burial in the Dominican Church in Leipzig.
What Tetzel Taught About Indulgences
Tetzel sometimes went too far when explaining what indulgences could do for people who had died. He became famous for a saying that went something like: "As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs."
This saying was not the official teaching of the Catholic Church about indulgences. It was more a sign of Tetzel's tendency to exaggerate. However, when it came to indulgences for living people, his teachings were closer to the official Catholic view.
Martin Luther's View of Tetzel
Luther told a story about Tetzel in Leipzig. He claimed that Tetzel received a lot of money from a nobleman. The nobleman supposedly asked for an indulgence for a future sin. Tetzel agreed, saying the payment had to be made right away. The nobleman paid and received the indulgence.
However, after Tetzel left Leipzig, the nobleman attacked him. He beat Tetzel and sent him back to Leipzig without his money. The nobleman said this attack was the "future sin" he had in mind. Duke George, who was in charge, was very angry at first. But when he heard the full story, he did not punish the nobleman.
See also
In Spanish: Johann Tetzel para niños
