By changing the religion of his realm from Catholicism to Lutheranism, he severed ties with the Vatican, undermined the authority of the Catholic bishops, and got his hands on the coffers of the church.
Asendades riigiusu katoliikluse luterlusega, katkestas ta sidemed Vatikaniga, murdis katoliku piiskoppide võimu ning võttis oma valdusse kiriku rikkused.