Counter-Reformation Counter Reformation = Catholic Reformation or…the Catholic Church fights back!

Council of Trent 1545 – 1563 The council was made to address Protestant disputes Main objective was to condemn Protestant doctrine and define the Catholic Church’s doctrine

Major Results The Catholic Church’s interpretation of the Bible was final Anyone who substituted their own interpretation was a heretic Salvation by faith and works was defined Decrees were issued for Catholic Church practices such as indulgences Decree is a law Abuse of indulgences were no longer allowed

Jesuits Ignatius of Loyola Intellectual group of Catholic Priests Founder Wrote “Spiritual Exercises” Guide for Jesuits Intellectual group of Catholic Priests Major goals Stop the spreading of Protestantism Spread Catholic teachings through missions Establish Catholic schools and colleges

Major Successes Clarified Catholic Church doctrine Groups like the Jesuits spread ideas The Catholic Church recognized that it needed reform Ended abuse of the Catholic Church Found a way to reform that didn’t require war