The Counter-Reformation was a movement within the Roman Catholic Church which began in the 1500s. Many felt that Church leaders 5 historical causes of the Reformation, as presented by English historian Hilaire Belloc, are listed below: 1) The Abandonment of Rome by the Popes In the Late Middle Ages, the papacy had come to play an increasing role in secular rule in Europe. The primary purpose of the council was to refute the beliefs of the Protestants, such as Martin Luther and John Calvin, and also to make the set of beliefs in Catholicism even clearer. It was in charge of eliminating the sale of indulgences, the main reason why the governors of the time had given their support to Martin Luther. Causes and Consequences of the Protestant Reformation* Sascha O. Becker† Steven Pfaff‡ University of Warwick University of Washington Jared Rubin§ Chapman University The Protestant Reformation is one of the defining events of the last millennium. The Jesuits helped carry out two major objectives of the Counter-Reformation: Catholic education and missionary work. Causes And Consequences Of The Reformation 1772 Words | 8 Pages. The sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, however, witnessed not only the flourishing of Lutheranism, Calvinism, and other more radical Protestant groups (such as the Anabaptists and By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. The Counter-Reformation took place during approximately the same period as the Protestant Reformation, actually beginning shortly before Martin Luther's act of nailing the ninety-five theses to the door of the church in 1517. Suspected Protestants being tortured as heretics during the Spanish Inquisition. Various theologians—especially the Jesuit St. Robert Bellarmine—attacked the doctrinal positions of the Protestant reformers, but there was no one to rival the theological and moral engagement evident in the writings of Luther or the eloquence and passion characteristic of the works of John Calvin. It renewed and set new guidelines to eliminate and stop the corruption of the clergy with simple parameters and guidelines such as the defense of papal authority, the exclusive capacity of the church, the interpretation of sacred texts, and salvation by faith and works of charity. If you continue browsing the site, you agree to the use of cookies on this website. Music was likewise enlisted in the cause of Counter-Reformation. But in 1583 Rudolf transferred his court from Vienna to Prague, and the Bohemian capital became once more an imperial residence…, While the reformed religion was being established in Wales, Welsh society and the Welsh language were at their lowest ebb. With the Counter-Reformation they mainly sought to renew the inner part of Catholic Church, to maintain the power of the Catholic clergy, and to fight against the ideas that had been given by Martin Luther and John Calvin. PDF | On Jan 1, 2016, Jared Rubin and others published Causes and Consequences of the Protestant Reformation | Find, read and cite all the research you need on ResearchGate Jesuits were also among the first missionaries to East Asia of modern times, contributing to the spread of Catholicism around the globe. By the Protestant Reformation, the Western world that had been Catholic was divided between Catholic Christians and Protestant Christians who did not follow Rome’s guidelines. Omissions? Later in the century, St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Ávila promoted the reform of the Carmelite order and influenced the development of the mystical tradition. NOW 50% OFF! Caused many religious wars in Europe, because Caholics hated Protestants (Lutherans/Calvinists), and Lutherans disliked Calvinists. Disciplinary reforms attacked the corruption of the clergy. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. St. Robert Bellarmine, an Italian Jesuit and cardinal, became perhaps the best known of all those involved in the Inquisition, for his role in the trial of Giordano Bruno for heresy and his efforts to reconcile Galileo's views that the earth revolves around the sun with the Church's teaching. The Counter-Reformation, also known as the Catholic Reformation or Catholic Renaissance, in Christian history, was based on a time when the efforts of the Catholic Church were directed during the sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries both against the Protestant Reformation and for internal renewal. But in the Middle ages, it had become a big feudal institution and possessed so much of lands and wealth. Counter-Reformation, also called Catholic Reformation or Catholic Revival, in the history of Christianity, the Roman Catholic efforts directed in the 16th and early 17th centuries both against the Protestant Reformation and toward internal renewal. Directions: Read the excerpt below, then complete each of the activities that follow. Pope Paul III (reigned 1534–49) is considered to be the first pope of the Counter-Reformation. The number of great men among the cardinals, and the foundation of the Capuchins, Theatines, and other orders, have already been mentioned as symptomatic of the improvement. They taught love and forgiveness and a God who would let them into Heaven without needing money or good deeds. It sought to condemn the ideas of the Reformation and to refute the heretical theses of Protestantism in Germany that were gradually spreading throughout Europe. The Counter-reformation By: Mr. Joseph Gayares Slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. There are several causes for the Reformation. The following points were reaffirmed: Religious conflicts between Catholics and Protestants occurred all over Europe causing, Hundreds of people in Europe and America were executed or burned, accused of. The movement caused by Martin Luther stuck the very heart of the Papacy and it provoked her into action. These reforms and growth did much to maintain Catholicism as the dominant Christian tradition. However, the Counter-Reformation did much to reform many of the problems and extravagances that Martin Luther originally objected to in his Ninety-five Theses. Britannica Kids Holiday Bundle! REFORMATION AND COUNTER-REFORMATION Causes of the Reformation The Renaissance and Humanism led people to question Church authority. This new movement began in 1545 with the Ecumenical Council of Trent and lasted until the end of the Thirty Years’ War in 1648; any act developed to counter Protestantism since then falls into the category of anti-Protestantism. (The society was not reestablished until 1814.). Causes of the Counter Reformation Reformation Thinkers Simony Pluralism Indulgences 1545-1563 reaffirmed doctrine of: good works purgatory and indulgences transubstantiation hierarchy of the priesthood the role of church tradition and teaching Ignatius Loyola 1491-1556 soldier For this reason there was a need for reforms in the Catholic Church in order to restructure and stop the Protestant advance. The Roman Inquisition, an agency established in 1542 to combat heresy, was more successful in controlling doctrine and practice than similar bodies in those countries where Protestant princes had more power than the Roman Catholic Church. The Counter-Reformation served to solidify doctrine that many Protestants were opposed to, such as the authority of the pope and the veneration of saints, and eliminated many of the abuses and problems that had initially inspired the Reformation, such as the sale of … The Counter-Reformation largely grew as a response to the Protestant Reformation and was a movement of reform within the Roman Catholic Church. The Counter-Reformation took place during roughly the same period as the Protestant Reformation, actually (according to some sources) beginning shortly before Martin Luther’s act of nailing the Ninety-five Theses to the door of Castle Church in 1517. Then there appeared Ignatius and the Jesuits, so conspicuous in the new movement. The Index Librorum Prohibitorum (“Index of Forbidden Books”) was established in 1559 in an attempt to combat the spread of some of the writings of the Protestant Reformation. Causes And Consequences Of The Reformation 1772 Words | 8 Pages. The Counter-Reformation When you hear the term “Reformation” you probably think first about the Protestant Reformation and people like Luther and Calvin. Perhaps the most complete victory for the Counter-Reformation was the restoration of Roman Catholic domination in Poland and in Hussite Bohemia. Corrections? The main characteristic of the Catholic Counter-Reformation or reform was that it covered everything concerning the political and religious sphere that existed at that time. It caused society as a whole to live more wholesome lives by cutting down on sinful acts and criminal offenses. Political and military involvement directed against Protestant growth is most clearly reflected in the policies of Emperor Charles V and in those of his son Philip II, who was associated with the Spanish Inquisition. n. A reform movement within the Roman Catholic Church that arose in 16th-century Europe in response to the Protestant Reformation. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... To All Nations: 8 Fascinating Jesuit Missionaries. In the first place, on the eve of reformation the church suffered from numerous evil practices which greatly undermined the reputation of the church and the churchmen. As evidenced by the more than half a billion Protestants around the world, the Counter-Reformation did not halt the spread of Protestantism in Europe and beyond. Sometimes they increased their power by going against the wishes of the Church. The Popes enjoyed great political influence and interfered into the political affairs. The Thirty Years' War (1618-1648), in which most of the European powers (especially the Holy Roman Empire) intervened, drew a new geopolitical framework in later years. Nearly 500 years after the Reformation, its causes and consequences have seen a renewed Early calls for reform grew out of criticism of the worldly attitudes and policies of the Renaissance popes and many of the clergy. So far-reaching were the results of this separation that the Reformation has been called a turning point in history. The Wars of Religion between 1562 and 1598 regained France for the Roman Catholic cause, though the Edict of Nantes (1598) granted a limited toleration to the Protestants; it was revoked in 1685. The background was based on the demands for the creation of a Church reform, in the face of the scandal of the Great Western Schism and against religious abuses. Opening session of the Council of Trent in 1545, by Nicolò Dorigati, 1711; in the Museo Diocesano Tridentino, Trento, Italy. New religious orders and other groups were founded to effect a religious renewal—e.g., the Theatines, the Capuchins, the Ursulines, and especially the Jesuits. And here it may be well to notice how very different the evolution of the Protestant Reformers (even of those who were most conscientious) was fr… Another major emphasis of the Counter-Reformation was an ongoing missionary endeavour in parts of the world that had been colonized by predominantly Roman Catholic countries, such as Spain and Portugal. There were also attempts to reconvert areas of the world that had once been Roman Catholic—e.g., England and Sweden. The Christian Church under the Pope was originally commanded respect among the people. The Jesuits established numerous schools and universities throughout Europe, helping to maintain the relevance of the Catholic church in increasingly secular and Protestant societies. In particular, the Thirty Years' War (1618–1648) devastated much of Germany, killing between 25% and 40% of its entire population. By 1615 the Jesuits had 372 colleges, and by 1755—just 18 years before the suppression of the order—the number had risen to 728. Recognition of the scope and success of the internal movements for reform within 16th-century Roman Catholicism has rendered obsolete the practice of certain earlier historians who lumped all these movements under the heading “, The early stage of Rudolf II’s long reign as Holy Roman emperor (1576–1612) was simply an extension of Maximilian’s regime. Another Catholic saint, Philip Neri (1515-1595), formed the “Congregation of the Oratory,” organizing spiritual meetings for prayer and music, and for prayer as music. Contextualize Cause and Effect What was the Counter-Reformation? The work of such men as St. Francis Xavier and others in Asia and of missionaries in the New World was rewarded with millions of baptisms, if not true conversions. Disdain and mistrust of the Catholic Church was the major cause for the Protestant Reformation. Answer: The Counter-Reformation was Roman Catholicism’s response to the Protestant Reformation.In the late 15th and early 16th centuries, Christians began to openly criticize the Roman Catholic Church for teaching things contrary to the Bible. List the causes of Protestant Reformation The Catholic church selling indulgences, the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, the power of the Princes in the HRE, Martin Luther's 95 theses, Gutenberg's invention of the printing press for faster printing and sending of information, and … The Roman Inquisition, established in 1542, became the chief enforcer of Catholic doctrine in the Counter-Reformation. One of these meetings took place in Trent in 1545 and was convened by Pope Paul III, in view of the attacks of Protestantism. Capable priests were needed for the education of the faithful, and, thus, seminaries multiplied to prepare the clergy for a more austere life in the service of the church. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. The Catholic Church had seen its credibility weakened by Martin Luther’s Reformation, and for this reason decided to implement its Counter-Reformation. The main factors responsible for the Counter Reformation, however, were the papacy and the council of Trent (1545-63). Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Strong monarchs were emerging. Finalized, the Peace of Westphalia was signed, which modified the religious and political map of Central Europe. Get exclusive access to content from our 1768 First Edition with your subscription. He also sought to reform the Catholic Church, to unite Christians, and to evangelize the territories of America. They neglected their dioceses and took keen interest in politics. Among the main consequences that occurred with the Counter-Reformation we can mention the following: It was of great importance for the Catholic Church as it implemented a Catholic revitalization from the period of Pope Pius IV until 1560, when the Thirty Years’ War ended. It was a movement that consisted in giving a new image to the church by reducing the influence of Protestant doctrines. Throughout the middle ages the Catholic Church was embroiled in scandal, corruption, and conflict. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). The European Reformations Introduction The period between 1500 and 1700 is characterized by a number of several religious reformations in continental Europe, each of which had its pioneering reformist, reasons for emergence, and consequences. Question: "What was the Counter-Reformation?" The Reformation and Counter-Reformation era conflicts are termed the European wars of religion. There was a flowering of utopian ideas; writings such as La città del sole (“The City of the Sun”) by Tommaso Campanella and La repubblica immaginaria (“The Imaginary Republic”) by Lodovico Agostini are examples of this new vision of the church and of the duties of Christians. Various aspects of doctrine, ecclesiastical structures, new religious orders, and Catholic spirituality were clarified or refined, and Catholic piety was revived in many places. Its doctrinal teaching was a reaction against the Lutheran emphasis on the role of faith and God’s grace and against Protestant teaching on the number and nature of the sacraments. It was he who in 1545 convened the Council of Trent. The Counter-Reformation served to solidify doctrine that many Protestants were opposed to, such as the authority of the pope and the veneration of saints, and eliminated many of the abuses and problems that had initially inspired the Reformation, such as the sale of indulgences for the remission of sin. But also a couple of good things, and they are the ones who have been lasting. The main goals of the Counter Reformation were to get church members to remain loyal by increasing their faith, to eliminate some of the abuses the protestants criticised and to reaffirm principles that the protestants were against, such as the pope’s authority and veneration of the saints. The entire organization of the church right from Pope down to the priest were corrupt and vicious. The outstanding action of Paul III in convening the Council of Trent in 1545 was an important antecedent in dealing with doctrinal and disciplinary questions caused by Protestants. It was a movement that was born in the second half of the 16th century in response by Catholic Church to Martin Luther's Protestant Reformation, which had been born during the early years of the 16th century. Start studying The Counter-Reformation. We could say that the main cause was the series of reforms contained within the Council of Trent which had been implemented by the Catholic Church against the spread of Protestantism and which arose from constant complaints against officials who had a high rankwithin the Church. With the colonization of the New World, Jesuits established missions throughout Latin America to win converts among the indigenous peoples. The main representatives of the Counter-Reformation were: We could say that the main cause was the series of reforms contained within the Council of Trent which had been implemented by the Catholic Church against the spread of Protestantism and which arose from constant complaints against officials who had a high rank within the Church. Most of the “German lands” in which Luther had worked remained Protestant after his death in 1546, but major territories, above all Bavaria and Austria, were regained for Roman Catholicism by the end of the 16th century. The Lutheran Church changed the entire culture in Europe. Catholicism had lost ground and was no longer the official religion in many parts of Europe and there was an attempt to prevent the same thing from happening in the New World. It was a movement that helped to produce an ecclesiastical restructuring by introducing a series of changes in the liturgy. List of some of the major causes and effects of the Reformation, the religious revolution that separated the Christians of western Europe into Protestants and Roman Catholics. The next major cause of the Protestant Reformation was the creation of Lutheranism and the Lutheran Church. Prescriptions were given about pastoral care and the administration of the sacraments. The Counter-Reformation was the response developed by Catholic Church to minimize the impact of Protestantism. In the Church there was the Ecumenical Council which was a meeting of the high representatives of the Clergy, to deal with matters of great religious importance. Counter Reformation synonyms, Counter Reformation pronunciation, Counter Reformation translation, English dictionary definition of Counter Reformation. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/event/Counter-Reformation, History Learning Site - The Catholic Reformation, The Catholic Encyclopedia - The Counter-Reformation, Counter-Reformation - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). European Reformations Introduction The period between 1500 and 1700 is characterized by a number of several religious reformations in continental Europe, each of which had its pioneering reformist, reasons for emergence, and consequences. There was an attempt to regulate the training of candidates for the priesthood; measures were taken against luxurious living on the part of the clergy, the appointment of relatives to church office, and the absence of bishops from their dioceses. Reformers particularly decried the selling of indulgences and offering of forgiveness for sins in exchange for money; the practice of selling religious positions in the church was also frowned upon by those who sought to reform the church. It was born as a battle between those who defended the reform and those who supported the counter-reform, but it led to a conflict related to religion in general and as an incentive to achieve hegemony in Europe. The Society of Jesus, founded in 1534 by St. Ignatius of Loyola, was not specifically a teaching order but was nevertheless very important in this field. The Council of Trent was the most important movement of the Catholic Counter-Reformation, the Catholic Church’s first significant reply to the growing Protestants Reformation. Yes and no. Additionally, Catholicism achieved a global reach through the many missionary endeavours that were initiated during the Counter-Reformation. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The Counter-Reformation (Latin: Contrareformatio), also called the Catholic Reformation (Latin: Reformatio Catholica) or the Catholic Revival, was the period of Catholic resurgence that was initiated in response to the Protestant Reformation.It began with the Council of Trent (1545–1563) and largely ended with the conclusion of the European wars of religion in 1648 [citation needed]. ANSWER: The counter-reformation is the response of Roman Catholicism to counteract and utterly destroy the Protestant Reformation because many Catholics were leaving the church. Education was foremost in the minds of many of the leaders of the Counter-Reformation. New religious orders such as the Theatines, Capuchins, Ursulines and Jesuits were promoted and created. How the Counter Reformation Happened: There was little significant papal reaction to the Protestants or to demands for reform from within the Roman Catholic Church before mid-century. Ordinary people began to question the worldliness of the Church. It tried to reaffirm the principles of Catholicism and defend the authority of the church in the interpretation of scripture. The Roman Catholic writers of the. A lot of bad things including religious persecution and terror. But though Paul IV did not advert to it, the Catholic reaction had already made considerable progress. Roman Catholics tended to emphasize the beliefs and devotional subjects that were under direct attack by the Protestants—e.g., the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, the Virgin Mary, and St. Peter. The Counter-Reformation was charged with dividing the Catholic faith into two parts, one involving the idea of Paul IV who told us that God had a relationship with people through punishments and that for that reason we had to fear him, and the other basing religious experience on piety. It happened because people were unhappy about the church; they protested and wanted to reform Christianity