The Counter-Reformation was introduced to re-claim “lost souls” from the Protestants. Whether the Counter-Reformation can be judged a success depends on a definition of “success”. It did give:
1. Greater clarity with regards to doctrine – an unequivocal set of rules.
2. The superstitions of the Medieval Church were under control.
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3. New orders were established and went into the community to do “good work” and to help the sick and poor. A spiritual commitment applied to all tasks, which was a good example to lay people.
4. Greater importance put on communion, which enabled the faith to be cultivated and spread.
5. Popes were more open to constructive change and recognised the corruption of the old church. More churches were built.
6. The power of the popes was unquestioned after Trent – this was good if they were pro-reform.
7. The Counter-Reformation proved to the outside world that the Catholic Church had recognised its past failings and was willing to reform itself rather than blind itself to its faults.
8. Ideas of the new Catholic Church spread by groups like the Jesuits.
9. Good support (in general) by Catholic lay rulers after 1555. The Council of Trent was accepted everywhere and though Philip II controlled the Catholic Church in Spain he was an ardent Catholic.
10. The power of Spain in the C16 meant that the Catholic Church had very strong backing.
Though all failings had not been removed, the Catholic Church was in a much healthier state in 1600.
The Roman Catholic Church existed in Spain, Italy, Spanish Netherlands (at this time), Austria, Bohemia, Hungary Bavaria, Poland, France and various south German states.
However, the states that had adopted Protestantism remained.
If the Counter-Reformation had been introduced to re-claim souls lost to Protestantism in Europe then it failed. However, to balance this, it had gained millions of new followers in the Americas and the Far East as a result of the work done by the Jesuits. Though its geographic extent in Europe had shrunk by 1600, its ability to deliver to those regions it still controlled was good.
Early modern Europe is the period between 1400-1800 , this period covers the years from the renaissance to the French Revolution . One of the most important elements which shaped early modern Europe was the Reformation . The Reformation is a disturbance in the religious and political culture of the 16th century . This revolution disintegrated christian Europe and settled in place new attitudes and theories that would outline the modern era. It was a very long process of change , communities were divided ,which resulted in a rise of enemies both within and outside communities.The Reformation was the most important element that would shape this period because it led to other very important events like the counter - reformation , the thirty year…show more content…
The Church was slow to respond to the threat of Luther and other reformers and so the council of Trent , tried to fix the problems that had triggered the Reformation .“The gathering at Trent found a balanced solution , since it decided to discuss alternately one theological issue and one reform issue.”This lead to the state and the church becoming more organised and systematic , the clergy was better trained and so there was better religious teachings and instructions. The catholic church after the counter- reformation put in more effort because of the protestant threat and so became more spiritual and more educated . The consequences of the reformation and the counter- reformation let to long lasting political and religious wars and rebellions . The thirty year war ( 1618-1648) was one of them . The war was Catholics against protestants and France against the Habsburg's . The Thirty year war was one of the wort conflicts Europe had experienced till then…show more content…
Questions like , from where does one get authority ? And if I am protestant do I obey christian authority ? Are what lead to Absolutism , kings believed that they shouldn’t have to divide authority with others ,the Reformation changed the way of thinking. This new way of thinking also led to a number of wars. An additional important impact on Europe happened in the 18th century by the Enlightened despots . The 18th century was the age of enlightenment and the age of reason. “It stressed reason, logic, criticism and freedom of thought over dogma, blind faith and superstition.” The Enlightened despots took up some of the ideas and seemed to be interested in improving the lives of their followers , but they still did not want to share their power , this meant that they only used the ideas that would make them stronger and this was not fully welcomed by the people . The French Revolutions was directly inspired by the new Enlightened ideals and this marked the peak of its influence but also the start of its
In 1534, Paul III became pope, and St. Ignatius of Loyola and his friends took the vows that founded the Jesuits (see Jesus, Society of). Thus simultaneously (but quite independently) the reformers finally won the papacy, and the pope was provided with a resolute band of helpers. In 1545, after delay and miscarriage, the Council of Trent (see Trent, Council of) was convened by Paul III. This council (1545–47, 1551–52, 1562–63) was the central event of the Counter Reformation. The popes of the council were Paul III, Julius III, and Pius IV. The reign of Pius's predecessor, Paul IV, an interlude in the council, was devoted to the purge of the papal court; from Paul's work dates the quasi-monastic air that has ever since characterized the Vatican.
The end of the council (1563) opened the second period of the reformation, lasting until 1590, with the pontificates of St. Pius V, Gregory XIII, and Sixtus V. The work of the council was given effect. The chief evil in church life, simony in many forms, including the preaching of some indulgences, was uprooted. Worship was standardized; the law of the church and the government of the Holy See were reorganized; new educational requirements for parish priests were introduced and provided for (by diocesan seminaries); religious orders were reformed; and the life of the clergy was scrutinized. A new spirit began to breathe in the church, as seen in the work of St. Charles Borromeo. In the Papal States and in a few other lands the new Inquisition was extended.
A far-reaching local movement in the reformation was the Oratory (see Oratory, Congregation of the) of St. Philip Neri. Catholicism took the offensive in Europe, and the Jesuits and Capuchins helped win Austria, Poland, the S Netherlands, and parts of Germany, Hungary, and Bohemia back to the Roman Catholic Church. The Jesuits led in foreign missions; in America it was the spirit of the Counter Reformation that led the missionaries to work for the Native Americans, often in opposition to the secular authorities. Spanish religion was deepened by the Carmelite reforms of St. Theresa of Ávila and by St. John of the Cross.
In France the Counter Reformation took root later, after the accession and conversion to Catholicism of Henry IV; the great French figures were St. Francis de Sales and St. Vincent de Paul. In England the Counter Reformation took effect less in the restoration of the Roman Catholic Church under Queen Mary (although Cardinal Pole was a reformer) than in the mission of the Jesuits (1580), led by St. Edmund Campion and Robert Persons. Diverse figures showing effects of the Counter Reformation are Caesar Baronius, St. Robert Bellarmine, Pedro Calderón de la Barca, Richard Crashaw, St. Francis Borgia, Robert Southwell, and Torquato Tasso.
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