1. Church Councils Project
Caroline Kavanagh, Mackenzie Panessa, Lauren Shank, and Nora Stenson

2. Council Of Trent
The Council of Trent was convened in 1545 and lasted until 1563 by Pope Paul III. It was convened in response to the Protestant Reformation and part of the Catholic Reformation.

3. Council of Trent (cont’d)
Conclusions made at the Council:
-condemnations were issued of what the Church defined to be heresies committed by Protestantism
-rejected Protestant doctrine justification of faith
-had Bishops downsize in their territories: less emphasis on money
-Church teachings on the scripture were clarified
-corruption in the Church was addressed, specifically with the selling of indulgences
-Vulgate was made the official canon
-Church clarified teachings on Biblical canon, sacred tradition, original sin, justification, the mass, veneration of saints, and Church liturgy
-Church made clear their belief on the sacraments and salvation, both topics were questioned during the Protestant Reformation

4. Council of Trent (cont’d)
(b)The Church was made more holy through addressing the corruption occurring in the church, specifically the corrupt selling of indulgences, and the banning of simony. (selling of church offices)
(d)The Council of Trent made the Church more Apostolic by following in the apostles footsteps and original teachings, differing from the Protestant Reformation’s teaching that their church is apostolic in the fact that it recognizes supreme apostolic scriptures.

5. First vatican Council 1869-1870
The first Vatican council was convened by Pope Pius IX on June 29, to condemn contemporary errors and to define the Catholic doctrine concerning the Church of Christ.
The results of the First Vatican Council was the dogmatic constitution of the Catholic faith Dei Filius. They also decided to postpone discussion of everything but infallibility. After a vote, dogma was the infallibility of the pope.

6. First vatican council (cont’d)
This council tried to make the church more holy through Dei Filius. It was adopted unanimously and set forth the teaching of the “Holy Catholic Apostolic Roman Church” on God, revelation and faith.
This council also tried to make the church more one because of the question of papal infallibility. Through constant votes they were able to make their final decision, which was the idea that dogma was the infallibility of the pope.

7. Second Vatican Council
Pope John XXIII created it soon after he was elected. He saw that the Church needed to make the message of faith relevant to people in the 20th century.
He called for Aggiornamento, which is the freshening of the way of thinking
The Pope also hoped that this second Vatican Council will pave the way for Christian unity

8. Second vatican council (cont’d)
The Council did not produce a final definition of 'Church', but decided that the first section of the Constitution on the Church should be entitled ‘The Mystery of the Church’.
Resilient models took their place beside ‘Mystery’ and the Church acquired its place as ‘The People of God’ and 'Communion'. 

9. Second vatican council (cont’d)
The Second Vatican Council on Religious Tolerance
Declaration on Religious Freedom (Dignitatis Humanae)
Vatican II declares that a human person has a right to complete religious freedom. It also states that no one is to be forced into the Christian faith against their will or be restrained from practicing their choice of religion.
This council did not only express the importance of religious freedom, but also the importance of religious tolerance, because tolerance towards non- Catholic religions is at times unavoidable.

10. Second Vatican Council (cont’d)
The Council tries to make the Church more Catholic by:
Assessing the Church’s role in people’s everyday lives
Celebrating the Mass in the vernacular of the country: This shows that the Church accepts all people, which is that being a Catholic is all about
Showing that worshippers are included in the mass, as well as that they are very important (participation)

11. Second vatican Council (cont’d)
The Church tires to make the Church One (unified) by:
The Council wanted to make the nuns ditch the habitsThey became part of the modern culture to try and be like the the people of modern society.
Joining in civil rights movements. The Catholic Church believes that all people are equal under God, and that God sees all of us as his children. The Church believes in all human rights.
Moving away from old, strict, and traditional rule. By moving away from this, the Church can put more focus on the importance of getting to Heaven as well as God and prayer.

12. Council of Trent- Nora Stenson Vatican Council- Lauren Shank
Who did what
Council of Trent- Nora Stenson
Vatican Council- Lauren Shank
Second Vatican Council- Caroline Kavanagh and Mackenzie Panessa

13. Sources