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The Role Of Indulgences In The Building Of New Saint Peter’S Basilica, Ginny Justice
The Role Of Indulgences In The Building Of New Saint Peter’S Basilica, Ginny Justice
Master of Liberal Studies Theses
New St. Peter’s Basilica is the second largest church in the world and considered by many to be the most beautiful. Built mainly during the sixteenth century, it took over a century to complete, and withstood corruption, wars, the Reformation, the Counter-Reformation, good popes and evil ones, and inched its way toward completion in 1626. The main funding for the early stages of building New St. Peter’s came from the sale of indulgences. Indulgences did more than help pay for the basilica, however. The abusive means of selling indulgences, including lies from priests and the papacy about their efficacy, resulted …