Actually, the Catholic Church today is the same Church from the 16th century. It’s the same Church that was established by Jesus Christ, entrusted to the leadership of the Peter and the Apostles in union with him.
Our beliefs (at least theologically) are very different from what Martin Luther taught. Martin Luther believed in “consubstantiation” of the Eucharist instead of “transubstantiation.” This means he believed the substance of the bread and wine were present with the substance of Jesus body and blood, whereas we believe that the accidents of the bread and wine remain while the substance is changed. Additionally, Martin Luther believed in justification by faith alone, while we believe in faith and works. He believed that we were dung, and Christ’s Redemption covered us like snow. But we believe that Jesus death and Resurrection actually take away our sin- he doesn’t just cover us. Martin Luther also cut several books from the Bible, which we still hold as Canon.
It’s no question that there were bad things going on in the Church as far as scandals, and corrupt clergy. That is sadly true. However, Martin Luther did lead many people astray. And Jesus warns us that it would be better to have a millstone tied to our neck and be cast into the sea than to lead a little one astray (Mt.18:6). HOWEVER, no one can say whether or not he is in hell. We don’t make those judgments- only God knows. However, Luther claimed that what he did was following his conscience which does give us hope of his salvation.
*Papists if anything in here is incorrect, feel free to correct me. I’m going off of my memory.
God Bless,
Meg, LRHG
