The Counter Reformation 1530s-1648 The Catholic Church’s Response to the Protestant Reformation

No Protestant inroads into Spain or Italy Protestantism succeeded only where it was urban and supported initially by the nobility After 1540, no new Protestant territories outside of the Netherlands Most powerful European nations were Catholic Protestants were feuding with each other

I. Convergence of Unique Circumstances

Cultural Better educated, urban population was more critical of the Church than rural peasantry Renaissance monarchs were growing impatient with the power of the Church Society was more humanistic and secular Growing individualism --John Wycliffe

Technological: Printing Press Invention of movable type was invented in 1450 by Johann Gutenberg Manufacture of paper becomes easier and cheaper Helped spread ideas before Catholics could squash them Intensified intellectual criticism of the Church Protestant ideals appealed to the urban and the literate

Agencies of Reform The chief agencies in carrying out this work were: The papacy A group of religious orders, especially the Society of Jesus or Jesuits The Council of Trent The Inquisition The Index of Prohibited Books

The Counter Reformation The Church had two tactics: Reform the Church from within

The Counter Reformation The Church had two tactics: Stop the Spread of Protestantism

I recognize the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Roman Church as the Mother and Mistress of all churches; and I vow and swear true obedience to the Roman Pontiff. (Pope)

Reform Within the Church The Council of Trent (1545-1563) Purpose: The Church held three meetings to discuss reform AND define official teachings Some areas were actually reformed Called for the education of priests Improved discipline and administration among the clergy Indulgences banned after the Council finished its meetings

Reform Within the Church The Council of Trent (1545-1563) Many teachings were not changed, and were instead reinforced; the ideas of the Protestants were rejected Pope is supreme leader The Latin Vulgate official Bible Church tradition and Church fathers were equal in authority to Protestant Bible

Reform Within the Church The Council of Trent (1545-1563) Many teachings were not changed, and were instead reinforced; the ideas of the Protestants were rejected Man has free will, Protestant justification by faith alone and the doctrine of predestination rejected Faith and good works necessary for salvation All seven of sacraments were declared true sacraments instituted by Christ

Reform Within the Church The Council of Trent (1545-1563) The Council revitalized the Catholic Church, as did the creation of new Catholic groups New religious orders focused on performing charity and good works Reaffirmed the Catholic tradition that one needed more than just faith to be saved Lived among the poor and sick Strengthened rural parishes Encouraged pious and simple living

Reform Within the Church The Council of Trent (1545-1563) Absenteeism forbidden- bishops required to reside in their dioceses Pluralism forbidden Simony forbidden Nepotism forbidden Bishops exercise careful supervision over his clergy, ordaining only worthy priests and severely disciplining those guilty of misconduct Theological seminary in every diocese Priests exercise care for their flocks, explain the Bible, the sacraments, and the liturgy

Stopping the Spread of Protestantism The Church tried to prove that it was a powerful institution, as in the Middle Ages Stressed its orthodox teachings during the Counter-Reformation Usually very intolerant of different ways of thinking The Church also took measures to reassert its authority: The Jesuits The Inquisition The Index of Prohibited Books

Stopping the Spread of Protestantism The Society of Jesus: The Jesuits Religious group founded by Ignatius Loyola in 1540 Promoted education Famous for missionary work Strived to gain political influence Countered the populist Protestant Reformation by working top-down and counseling kings and princes Also a bit fanatical in their devotion…“We should always be disposed to believe that that which appears white is really black, if the hierarchy of the Church so decides.”

Stopping the Spread of Protestantism Index (List) of Banned Books Created in 1559 by the Pope Purpose was to prevent heresy and ensure books were moral Banned both Protestant literature and texts by some intellectuals, like Erasmus

Stopping the Spread of Protestantism The Inquisition General purpose was to discover heretics (mostly Jews and Muslims, but also Protestants), reinforce Catholic doctrine, and prove the power of the Church 1400s-1800s Mostly Spain and Italy Different variations took place across Europe, but it was most notorious in Spain Ironic! (These places were strongholds of Catholicism) The accused were put on trial and were guilty until proven innocent… Torture was used to elicit confessions

Religious Revival Genuine revival of Catholic piety led by men and women of outstanding devotion and sanctity- Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross Renewal and revival of Christian feeling

Religious and Social Effects Policies of the Catholic Church influenced governments and societies wherever the church existed Religious changes: Jesuit influence softened harsh colonial rule in North America, elsewhere Protestants broke away from Catholic Church, split into many factions Religious turmoil increased Catholics persecuted non-Catholics, non-Catholics persecuted Catholics, non-Catholics persecuted one another

Religious and Social Effects Policies of the Catholic Church influenced governments and societies wherever the church existed Conflict and Turmoil: Rifts opened among various Protestant churches Martin Luther, followers, denounced radical ideas of Anabaptists, Zwingli’s followers Calvinists disapproved of ideas on which Lutheranism based Martin Luther’s theses had opened door to religious freedom Religious freedom brought equal proportion of conflict, turmoil

Religious and Social Effects Policies of the Catholic Church influenced governments and societies wherever the church existed Persecution and Hysteria: Catholics and Protestants viewed Jews, Muslims as heretics Jews in 1492, Muslims in 1500, forced to convert to Catholic Christianity or leave Spain; many Jews resettled in eastern, southern Europe Some places, Jews forced to live in ghettos, walled in, gates closed Jews who had converted, were members of educated elite, stayed in Spain

Religious and Social Effects Policies of the Catholic Church influenced governments and societies wherever the church existed Witchcraft: Many Europeans feared witches roamed land, killing children, cattle Fears increased in times of poor harvests, other hardships; fears inspired hysteria in which accused witches tried for alleged wrongdoing Penalty for practicing witchcraft, death; many innocent victims executed Majority of executions between 1580 and 1660; thousands, mostly women and poor, killed

Religious and Social Effects Policies of the Catholic Church influenced governments and societies wherever the church existed Political Effects: Protestant Reformation indirectly encouraged formation of independent states, nations Rulers, merchants both wanted church less involved in state, business affairs Political power became separated from churches Nations, churches still often aligned with one another to increase influence in a region