2.5 - The Catholic Reformation

Overview:

• The Catholic Reformation, also known as the Counter-Reformation, was the Catholic Church's response to the Protestant Reformation.

• As Protestantism gained ground and power in Europe, the Catholic Church sought to reform itself and combat the spread of Protestant doctrines.

Key Initiatives:

• Jesuit Order:

  • Established by Ignatius of Loyola with the purpose of educating Catholics.

  • The Jesuits founded some of the finest educational institutions across Europe, aiming to strengthen Catholic intellectual defenses against Protestantism.

  • Roman Inquisition:

    • The Jesuits were instrumental in establishing the Roman Inquisition, which sought to root out heresy within the Church.

    • Index of Prohibited Books:

      • A list of books forbidden by the Church for Catholics to read, including works by Protestant reformers, Galileo, and Erasmus.

• Ursulines:

  • A female religious order with similar goals to the Jesuits, focusing on the education of Catholics, particularly young girls.

  • The Ursulines also had a strong missionary drive, working to spread Christian teachings globally.

• Saint Teresa of Avila and the Carmelite Reform:

  • Saint Teresa of Avila led the reform of the Carmelite Order.

  • Under her leadership, the Carmelites rejected the wealth and affluence that had corrupted parts of the Church and embraced a life of poverty and spiritual discipline.

Background:

• The Catholic Church, in response to the Protestant Reformation, sought to address internal corruption and doctrinal disputes. The most significant action taken was the convening of the Council of Trent.

Key Issues Addressed:

• Simony: The buying and selling of church offices, which was a major complaint of the Protestants.

• Immorality of Clergy: The immoral behavior of priests and bishops was another issue raised by the Protestant reformers.

• Sale of Indulgences: Protestants were particularly critical of the sale of indulgences, which were marketed as a way to secure forgiveness of sins and were used to finance church projects.

Council of Trent (1545-1563):

• Purpose: The Council aimed to address the issues raised by Protestant reformers and to clarify Catholic doctrine.

• Decisions Made:

  • Suppression of Simony: The Council banned the corrupt practice of buying and selling church offices.

  • Reaffirmation of Clerical Celibacy: The Council reestablished the requirement for priests to remain celibate.

  • Regulation of Indulgences: The sale of indulgences was not abolished but was regulated to prevent abuse, such as using the funds for personal luxuries like the Pope’s private projects.

Doctrinal Reaffirmations:

• Salvation by Faith and Works: The Council reaffirmed that salvation is achieved through both faith and good works, rejecting the Protestant claim that faith alone is sufficient.

• Transubstantiation: The doctrine that the bread and wine during Mass actually become the flesh and blood of Christ was reaffirmed, a belief that Protestants denied.

• Seven Sacraments: The Council confirmed the existence of seven sacraments, as opposed to the two recognized by Protestants.

• Authority of the Bible and Church Dogma: The Council upheld the belief that both the Bible and Church teachings are of equal authority, countering the Protestant view that the Bible alone is the ultimate authority.

Outcome:

• The Council of Trent solidified the split between Catholics and Protestants, making the division permanent. The efforts to reconcile the differences ultimately failed, leading to a lasting separation within Christianity.