Evaluate the reasons for criticism of the Catholic Church at the start of the 16th century.

The question requires that candidates make an appraisal of the reasons for criticism of the Church. It must be noted that the question is about the start of the 16th century and not the start of the Reformation and as such, issues including the condition of the papacy, the character of popes, for example Alexander VI, and the poor physical condition of Rome as the centre of the western Christian faith may be considered. There was much criticism that bishops were often either poorly educated or too involved in politics and secular affairs. The quality of the clergy especially parish clergy, the spiritual condition of the Church, the perceived problems of absenteeism, nepotism, simony and anticlericalism, and the criticism from humanist writers may be included in candidates’ responses. Candidates may choose to deal with each factor separately or group them into categories.