Johann Tetzel

Johann Tetzel was a German Dominican friar and preacher. He was appointed Inquisitor for Poland and Saxony, later becoming the Grand Commissioner for indulgences in Germany. Tetzel was known for granting indulgences on behalf of the Catholic Church in exchange for tithes to the Church. Indulgences grant a degree of expiation of the punishments of purgatory due to sin. However, the misuse of indulgences within the Church largely contributed to Martin Luther writing his Ninety-five Theses, which would lead to the formation of the Lutheran branch of Protestantism. The main usage of the indulgences by Tetzel was to help fund and build the new St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.