The Catholic and Counter Reformations

Catholic Reformation- Before 1517

Counter Reformation After 1540s

Reaction the Lutheranism and Calvinism

Bring dissidents or heretics back to the fold
Use secular means to control dissidents/heretics

Why so slow to reform?

Personalities of the popes

Preoccupation with Italian political affairs (Habsburg- Valois Wars)
Switching alliances from Charles V to Francis I lead to sack of Rome, capture
of pope and end of the Renaissance in 1527.
Overwhelmed with reforming the Church.
Feared councils loss of power, money, and prestige.

*Council of Trent 1545-1563

Called by Alexander Farnes (Pope Paul III)

Lutherans and Calvinist invited but wanted to discuss Scripture did not
participate
Political cloud hangs over Council
Charles V not wanting to upset Lutherans in Germany
France wanted to weaken German lands.
Conciliar movement stumbling point popes did not want to have a council
supersede authority.
Accomplishments of Council
Equal validity to Scripture and tradition
Reaffirmed 7 sacraments and transubstantiation
Rejected Lutheranism and Calvinism
Strengthened religious discipline Tridentine Decree
Bishops have to reside in diocese/bishops control the diocese
No pluralism or simony
No indulgences
Seminary for education
Protestant Reformation - Luther English: Edward 8th Catholic - Counter
Tametsi vows made in public and in front of priest no more secret weddings.
New Religious orders

Purpose raise moral and intellectual level of clergy and people

Examples:
Ursulines founded by women and wanted to promote education to combat
heresy.
Jesults (Society of Jesus)
Founded by ex-soldier Ignatius Loyola
Resisted spread of Protestantism
Mission to reclaim lost souls
Especially in Southern Germany and Eastern Europe
Holy Office of 6 Cardinals
Oversaw the inquisition to root out heresy
Published Index of Prohibited Books to censor heretical thoughts and
ideas
Reformation or Continuity?
Protestants fragmentation of religion; revolutionary
Catholic- part of reform cycle had to change; was changing
Makes sense?