Reformation Day: 7 notable enemies of Martin Luther

1. Girolamo Aleandro

Also known as Hieronymus Aleander, Girolamo Aleandro was born in Venice, Italy, and became a humanist scholar and cardinal known for his opposition to the Protestant Reformation.

Aleandro served as a nuncio at the court of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, where he was assigned to crack down on the teachings of Martin Luther as they spread throughout the empire.

“He procured Luther’s condemnation at the Diet of Worms in 1521, and is supposed to have been the author of the edict issued against the great reformer,” explained the Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia.

“In 1531 he was sent as papal representative to Charles V, whom he accompanied to the Netherlands and Italy, zealous in inciting the emperor to action against the Protestants.”

Aleandro was later sent to German King Ferdinand to help advance a “conciliatory policy toward the Protestants,” but when he failed to do so, he “demanded their ruthless destruction.”