In 1512, Desiderius Erasmus, a Dutch scholar and the leader of the Northern European Assassins, began to notice Martin Luther's new views on Christianity and realized that the church would enter a state of chaos. Erasmus wrote a letter to Claudia Auditore da Firenze, temporary leader of the Italian Assassins, to inform them of the young priest. In 1517, Luther disputed the claim that absolution from sin could be paid for. He was excommunicated by Pope Leo X and condemned as an outlaw.