Johann Tetzel

Monk, born in Pirna, E Germany. He became a Dominican in 1489, and was appointed in 1516 to preach an indulgence in favour of contributors to the building fund of St Peter's in Rome. This he did with great ostentation, thereby provoking the Wittenberg theses of Luther, and his own reply.

Johann Tetzel (1465- August 11, 1519) was a German Dominican friar who is perhaps best known for selling indulgences during the 16th century using the catchy line, "As soon a coin in coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs." Tetzel even went as far as creating a chart that listed a price for each type of sin. In 1517, Tetzel was trying to raise money for the ongoing construction of St. Peter's Basilica and it is believed that Martin Luther was inspired to write his 95 Theses, in part, due to Tetzel's actions during this period of time.

Biography Johann Tetzel was born in Pirna, Saxony.

He studied theology and philosophy at the university of his native city , entered the Dominican order in 1489, achieved some success as a preacher, and was in 1502 commissioned by the pope to preach the jubilee indulgence, which he did throughout his life.

He acquired the degree of licentiate of theology in the University of Frankfurt an der Oder, 1517, and that of doctor of theology, 1518, by defending, in two disputations, the doctrine of indulgences against Luther. At the time of his death, Tetzel had fallen into disrepute and was shunned by the public. Yet, on his deathbed, Tetzel received a kind correspondence from Martin Luther, stating that he was not to blame for the whole ordeal, and offering his consolations.