Evaluate the state of the Catholic Church at the start of the 16th century.

The question requires that candidates make an appraisal of the state of the Catholic Church at the start of the 16th century. Candidates may argue that the basic religious assumptions that had upheld the Church for hundreds of years were beginning to be challenged. Corruption within the Catholic Church was a major cause of criticism and there had, for some time, been serious criticisms of the clerical hierarchy and the quality of religious guidance that was provided for lay people. While there were attempts at reform within the Church (reference could be made to humanists such as Erasmus), reformers such as Luther, would ultimately criticize it from outside the confines of the Catholic Church. Political rulers were also renouncing their allegiance to Rome. Alternatively, candidates may argue that the criticisms of the Church were exaggerated and that, for many people, the day-to-day operations of the Church were not a pressing concern. Others may argue that the state of the Catholic Church at the start of the 16th century was little changed and that any process of reform was slow.