[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

Excellent analysis!

Thanks! Just pointing out the obvious contradiction in the arguments of many anti-Catholics who argue first that the medieval popes were incompetent and corrupt and only were in office for a year at a time, then, at the same time, argue that the Popes were in total control of every Christian in Europe for a thousand years, and responsible for every sparrow that fell.

I wonder, if the pope's were in total control of every Christian in Europe, why did he allow some of them to become Protestants? Is it possible that Protestantism is a secret plot by the papacy to control the world?

[wagglebee]

The reality is that European kings soon realized that a “national” Protestant church meant that they could keep Peter’s Pence for themselves.

[andysandmikesmom]

Thank you for adding what you have to this thread... Regarding what you said here....Is it possible that Protestantism is a secret plot by the papacy to control the world?, I do know some people in real life who actually do believe that the Papacy, and the Catholic Church, are in a conspiracy with other elements, in order to control the whole world....my husband has also worked with a number of people who believe this...I dont know what their faith is, or if they have any faith at all, but they do believe, that each Pope, together with the whole of the Catholic Church, is an evil force, that is working with other evil forces to dominate and control the entire world...indeed, these people believe that most of what is happening in the world today, is actually all part of the Pope's and the Catholic Church's agenda...