The Counter Reformation
A Christian Reform Movement, also Known as the Catholic Reformation
In an effort to stop the spread of Protestantism, the Catholic church introduced sweeping reforms to its internal order, a period of time known as the Counter Refomation.
The Counter Reformation, also known as the Catholic Reformation, began a new era of censorship and reform within the Catholic Church. Church doctrines were censored or reformed, in an attempt to counter the growing Protestant movement, begun by Martin Luther in 1517. A new missionary group called the Jesuits sprang up, almost overnight, to help keep the spread of Protestantism at bay.
Ignatius of Loyola
Spanish noble, Ignatius of Loyola, was a devout Catholic who wrote a book of spiritual exercises for people to use on a daily basis. His intent was to help people be better Catholics. He developed a following, and in 1540, the Pope Paul III made him and his followers an official religious order, the Society of Jesus, or Jesuits.
The Jesuits played a huge role in the Counter Reformation. Because they were very well educated, they built schools all across Europe, where they could spread the teachings of the Catholic Church. They also worked as missionaries, with the goal of stopping the spread of Protestantism. They succeeded in stopping Protestant from gaining a foothold in Poland and southern Germany (modern day Bavaria).
Council of Trent
The first major Counter-Reformation council of the church took place in Trento, Italy from 1545-1563. Church Councils were used to discuss and solve church problems and issues of the Catholic Church. They were usually long (Trent lasted 18 years!) and the decisions were supposed to be binding.
Initially the Catholic Church hoped to welcome back the wayward Protestants. However, disputes over the Eucharist and other church policies dashed any hopes of reconciliation. Pope Paul III took an aggressive stand in reforming the Catholic Church. He investigated the selling of indulgences, and used the inquisition to ferret out Protestants.
At the Council of Trent, he helped to draft several church doctrines, including:
- The Church’s interpretation of the bible was the final authority
- Christians needed faith and good works for salvation (Luther said good works were not needed, just faith.)
- The bible and church traditions were the most powerful authority for guiding a Christian life.
- Indulgences were valid expressions of faith, however the false selling them was banned.
John Calvin and John Knox helped begin new branches of Protestantism in Switzerland and Scotland. Besides faithful followers, the Catholic Church also lost much of its political influence and power. Monarchs, such as Henry VIII and Elizabeth I became the heads of their nation’s church, severing ties with Rome completely. Individual states, such as the German States, also gained a great deal of power, at the expense of the Catholic Church. This change in the political atmosphere during the latter 1500s would set the stage for the modern nation states and Absolutism in the coming centuries.
