Martin Luther (1483–1546) challenged Catholic Church practices – particularly the collection of "indulgences," or payments made for pardoning sins – and thereby touched off a process that splintered centuries of religious unity in western, central, and southern Europe. Luther's 95 Theses ignited an explosive admixture of papal excess, Renaissance Humanism, and elevated levels of national consciousness and allegiances, particularly in northern and central Europe. The adoption of Protestantism by states throughout continental Europe led the Roman Catholic Church, in turn, to undertake reforms and to disseminate the Church's message through the newly established (1534) Society of Jesus, composed of rigorously educated missionaries, skilled in languages as well as Church teachings. The Jesuits traveled near and far to strengthen the faithful, convert non-Christians, and blunt Protestant momentum. The rise of Protestant "heresies" seemed to reaffirm Muscovy's belief in its role as the protector of true Christian practice.