Section Objectives
Focus Questions:
1. What reforms did the Catholic Church institute during the Counter-Reformation?
2. How did the religious conflicts of the 1500's change life in Europe?
Counter-Reformation: Attempt by the Catholic Church, following the Reformation, to return the church to an emphasis on spiritual matters
Council of Trent: Assembly of church leaders who met in the mid-1500s to clearly define official Catholic doctrines as part of the Counter-Reformation
Jesuits: Catholic religious order founded by Ignatius de Loyola in 1534
Ignatius de Loyola: Founder of the Jesuits in 1534
Section 4 Summary
At first, the Catholic Church failed to recognize Protestantism as a serious threat. But as Protestants gained ground, reformers convinced the pope of the drastic need for change. In the 1530's the Catholic Church began a major reform effort known as the Counter- Reformation. It was an attempt to return the church to an emphasis on spiritual matters.
First, Pope Paul III appointed devout and learned men as bishops and cardinals. Second, he tried to combat heresy by bringing the Inquisition to Rome. Since the 1400's Spanish authorities had been putting accused heretics on trial. They often inflicted cruel punishments. Now Rome employed these tactics to keep Catholics within the church. Third, Pope Paul IV tried to eliminate heresy by establishing a list of books that Catholics were forbidden to read. The banned books were considered harmful to faith or morals.
Another effort to combat Protestantism involved clarifying Catholic doctrines on which church authorities often disagreed. Pope Paul III called the Council of Trent, an assembly of church leaders who met in the mid-1500's to clearly define official Catholic doctrines. The Council of Trent ended abuses in selling indulgences and tightened discipline within the clergy. The council confirmed most Catholic beliefs that Protestants had rejected. It emphasized the need for ceremonies and worshiping God with splendor. It declared that priests were important because God granted forgiveness only through the church. It claimed that salvation came from ceremonial church actions as well as from faith. The council’s decisions were effective for many Catholics, who were moved by the beautiful churches and ceremonies and respected the authority of priests.
To strengthen support for the church, Catholic religious orders reformed their rules, and new orders formed. In 1534 Ignatius de Loyola founded an order called the Society of Jesus, which became known as the Jesuits. Loyola’s followers took vows of poverty and obedience to the pope. Loyola organized the Jesuits like a military body, with discipline and strict obedience. The Jesuits quickly became effective agents in spreading Catholicism. Their missions took them as far away as China. In Europe their preaching slowed the spread of Protestantism. The Jesuits stressed education. They founded some of the best colleges in Europe. They combined humanist values with Catholic doctrine to produced educated, dedicated supporters of the church.
The Reformation and Counter-Reformation resulted in more than a century of devastating religious wars. When the wars ended, the most striking result of the religious struggles was the existence of many different churches in Europe. Protestant churches were established in France, the Netherlands, England, and northern Europe, including Scandinavia.
Another long-term result was an increased emphasis on education. Jesuits and other orders worked to strengthen the faith of Catholics in their schools. Protestants emphasized teaching reading so that people could study the Bible.
Finally, the Reformation increased the power of national governments and decreased the power of the pope. Many rulers in both Protestant and Catholic regions gained some degree of control over their churches.
1. What reforms did the Catholic Church institute during the Counter-Reformation?
To reform the Catholic Church, the Council of Trent assembled to clarify church doctrines. The council also ended abuses in selling indulgences and tightened discipline within the clergy. Catholic religious orders reformed their rules, and the order of the Jesuits was founded, which emphasized discipline and strict obedience.
2. How did the religious conflicts of the 1500's change life in Europe?
The religious conflicts of the 1500's changed life in Europe by creating a diversity of churches, increasing emphasis on education, strengthening the power of national governments, and decreasing the power of the pope.