Because the Reformation was destroying the stranglehold Rome had on the church, and the papacy and its hirelings were worried about losing power and position and a covering for their evil deeds.
Some things never change.
Nothing like hanging someone’s eternal salvation over their head to keep them in line.
This is the major reason that I don’t believe that Jesus meant that Peter was the rock that His church would be built on and that Peter was given power to retain or remit sins. Too much potential for corruption to enter and result in that kind of manipulation (misusing the power to eternally condemn someone).
Scripture it’s not, but *Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely* is about as true as it comes. Precious few men can handle that kind of authority.
Ping to post #788.