1. What event in the 16th century sent shockwaves through Christendom and the Catholic Church?

Answer 1

The event that sent shockwaves through Christendom and the Catholic Church in the 16th century was the Protestant Reformation. Initiated by figures such as Martin Luther, who famously posted his Ninety-Five Theses in 1517, the Reformation challenged the practices and authority of the Catholic Church, leading to significant religious, political, and social upheaval across Europe. It resulted in the emergence of various Protestant denominations and a profound transformation in Christian theology and church governance, fundamentally altering the religious landscape of the continent.