MARTIN LUTHER'S TRANSLATION WAS NOT APPRECIATED BY THE CATHOLIC HIERARCHY, BUT THOSE WHO WERE SEEKING THE TRUTH READ IT. People Who Want Truth Desperately Will Not Be Hindered By Papal Bulls Or Government Prohibitions. Some Roman Catholics do begin to seek the truth and this brings about much change in the world.

How was Martin Luther's German translation of the Bible received by 16th century Catholics?

It is said that Luther's translation formed a basis — if not the basis — for a unified German language. But wouldn't Catholics regard a Protestant translation as untrustworthy?

Harry Riches

Answer requested by Lorenzo Peroni
You are asking me to answer something that is really impossible for me to answer as a witness, because I was not there. As for Roman Catholics having access to the Bible, I am led to believe that this was prohibited for the common man because the priests, and hierarchy of the day, did not want people to read the Bible and find out that what they did was really the work of the Devil.

Here is an example of what is written about two Popes:

Pope Clement VI (1291 – 1352)

By his own words, Clement was “a sinner among sinners.” His love for expensive living quickly drained the savings of his frugal predecessor (Benedict XII), and Clement resorted to raising taxes and selling off bishoprics to finance his worldly pursuits.—Top 10 Worst Popes in History

Pope Boniface VIII (c. 1235 – 1303)

Boniface quickly became one of the church’s strongest advocates for papal supremacy in both spiritual and civil matters, involving himself in foreign affairs to no end. His desire for political domination, of course, did not sit well with many rulers of the day, such as Philip IV of France, whose policies of clerical taxation angered the pope and prompted a string of bulls culminating in the famous Unam Sanctam, which essentially claimed all civil and spiritual authority for the papacy….Boniface never quite attained to the absolute power he craved. Not surprisingly, his insatiable ambition led directly to a brutal beating at the hands of those who refused to submit to him, and within a month of this incident he was dead.—Top 10 Worst Popes in History

Jesus said that His Kingdom was not of this world.

• But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them.It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave; even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:25–28)

Jesus also warned against the evils of desiring wealth.

• No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all this, and they scoffed at him. But he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts; for what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God. (Luke 16:13–15)

There is much worse than this recorded about the behavior of Popes, not to mention other members of the Roman Catholic hierarchy. Understandably, the hierarchy did not want people reading the Bible unless there was a revolt. Luther exemplifies this revolt.

No Confusion Exists Of God’s Requirements When You Understanding The Truth