Why did Desiderius Erasmus hope Catholics and Lutherans could reconcile?

Desiderius Erasmus hoped for reconciliation between Catholics and Lutherans primarily because he believed in the fundamental unity of the church and feared that a schism would be destructive to "good letters" and intellectual progress.1

His desire for peace was rooted in several key convictions:

• Avoidance of Persecution: Erasmus recoiled from the "cruel logic" of religious persecution and sought to prevent a confrontation that would inevitably lead to violence and division.1
• Distinction Between Dogma and Opinion: He argued that many of the disputes fueling the conflict, such as those regarding papal infallibility or predestination, were matters of opinion rather than essential dogmas of the faith, as evidenced by his view that Lutherans accepted the core articles of the Apostles’ Creed.1
• Addressing Root Causes: Erasmus believed the true source of the schism was not theology, but rather anticlericalism and resentment toward rigid church laws and ceremonies. He suggested that the church could foster reconciliation by easing these burdens—for example, by allowing priests to marry or granting the chalice to the laity—thereby reviving the spirit of Christianity through liberty.1