Today in History: Martin Luther Was Excommunicated

On this day (January 3) in 1521, Pope Leo X excommunicated Martin Luther for refusing to recant his heresy. Leo X is not the best example of a pope. He embraced the sin of simony (buying and selling spiritual things) through the Indulgences Campaign which he used to help him fund the building of St. Peter’s Basilica. But Luther was guilty (in Catholic eyes) of heresy (for embracing such doctrines as predestination) which he wouldn’t relinquish. So it was a sad event that further divided Christianity.