There is a debate over to what extent Huldreick Zwingli had his own ideas or was directly influenced by Luther. Whatever the reality, his ideas, writings and teachings had a similar effect in Switzerland.

In 1518, Zwingli became a preacher in Zurich cathedral. In his sermons he attacked all the abuses of the Church that you have already read about. He went even further by calling for the destruction of the way society was organised - the feudal system, and the Church's role in it. He firmly believed in:

He also denounced the mass, encouraged image and statue-breaking and wanted a complete break from Roman Catholic tradition.

Changes

From 1523 to 1525 Zwingli made several changes to the Church in Zurich:

Zwingli's ideas spread to other Swiss cities - Bern in 152 and Basel in 1529.

A connection between Zwingli and Luther came about, not because of religious similarities but because of the political situation. The Swiss city councils, like the German princes, became worried that the Hapsburg Emperor and the Pope would join together to crush the Reformation.

However, Luther's and Zwingli's ideas differed over the act of communion and transubstantiation. On top of this Zwingli and his followers were more "purist" than Luther, and began the ideas of "Puritanism".

Zwingli and Luther

A meeting was held in Hesse in 1592 between Luther and Zwingli to try to solve their differences, but it ended in argument.

It was very important, for the Swiss cities in particular, to create a friendship with the German states which had "reformed" because the majority of Swiss were Catholic and lived in the countryside - they were violently opposed to Zwingliism.

Zwingli's death

In 1530 - 1531 Swiss Catholics and Protestants were fighting each other. Zwingli was killed in battle at Kappel. After the Peace of Kappel (1531), Switzerland remained divided between Reformed and Catholic religions.

Comparing Four Reformers (opens in a new window)

• Introduction to the Reformation
• The Church before the Reformation I : Indulgences, Relics and Pilgrimages
• The Church before the Reformation II : The Wealth and Political Power of the Church
• The Church before the Reformation III :The Clergy
• The Church before the Reformation IV : Inside a Church
• The Lutheran Revolt
• Conflict between Luther and the Church
• The Church reacts to Luther
• The Catholic and the Lutheran Church
• John Calvin
• The English Reformation
• Top of Page