The Church saved Europe from the Muslims a couple of times, sure. The second attack on Venice was done at the invitation of whom??? And what did all of that cost???
Now, did the German bishops act in a truly Christian manner? Unfortunately, no. The Reformation was fuelled in part by that, certainly. It succeeded because of the drive for power by the German princes, but it started because of the practices of the Church, sure.
When will the Vatican open up the Vatican vaults so that we can see what's in it?
Being a little presumptuous? When is your church going to open its vaults so we can see what's in it? Or you, for that instance? Are you prepared to air all of your own dirty laundry to the world for the amusement and edification of every individual in the world?
Times change, people don't. Luther did not originate his 95 theses, he merely pulled a publicity stunt by making the internal debates of the Church.
The Romans had a statement; "Qui Bono", for whom the benefit? Luther's sponsors, the German princes who sought both independence from the Holy Roman Empire and the assets of the Church benefited greatly. It is a shame that so many remain dupes of those princes.
According to the Catholic Church's catechism 841 it states:
It succeeded because of the drive for power by the German princes, but it started because of the practices of the Church, sure.
And where does the will of God fits into all of this?
Being a little presumptuous? When is your church going to open its vaults so we can see what's in it?
Actually, every Protestant church or organization that I have ever attended or support fully disclose their assets and liabilities at the end of each year. They usually do this in a fund raising letter. :O)
As for me, how much I make, how much my wife make, and just about all of our assets are floating around on the Internet which people who know us have been able to piece together. Trust me. My net worth is a sad, sad story.
Mark is right. Why should the Vatican open it's vaults even in the situation involving Vatican Bank scandals?
Lets ask for something which the Vatican should have no moral or legal opposition to. For instance, the Vatican Archives! After all, the Vatican has nothing to hide.