George Wishart was a schoolmaster from Montrose. He was burned for heresy (preaching religious views which the church disapproved of) in 1546. - The church was rich. Making money seemed to be more important than saving souls.
- Well paid jobs in the church were sometimes sold for cash. (This was called SIMONY)
- Nobles often got control of churches or monasteries and skimmed off the money. (This was called COMMENDATION)
- Some church officials took on several jobs and collected the cash from each but could not do all the work correctly. (This was called PLURALISM.)
- Church officials sometimes ignored the rules of the church and had sexual relationships. They used church money to support their mistresses and illegitimate children.
- Kings and nobles often forced the church to give jobs to their own illegitimate children. (This was called NEPOTISM.)
The church did make some efforts to REFORM itself but had little success.
