Catholic Counter Reformation

Warm-Up Activity

• The Protestant Reformation is influencing Central Europe, England, and Scandinavia.

• Prompt: As an advisor to the Pope, propose three ideas to prevent believers from converting to Protestantism, emphasizing urgent action.

Strategies of the Counter-Reformation

Two Main Tactics

1. Internal Reform of the Church

   • Council of Trent as a central element.

2. Suppressing Protestantism

   • Inquisition and punitive measures.

Key Figures and Events

Reformists Within the Church

• Girolamo Savonarola

  • Criticized church abuses.

  • Advococated for reform, leading to public bonfires of excess belongings.

  • Executed by the Pope for his radical reform attempts.

The Jesuits

• Founded by Ignatius of Loyola, a former soldier.

• Aims: Renew spirituality and provide education to counter Protestantism.

• Organized like a military to maintain order and structure.

Council of Trent (1545-1563)

• Purpose: Address church reform and solidify Catholic dogma.

• Major outcomes:

  • Training for priests emphasized.

  • Financial abuses targeted.

  • Reformed practices surrounding indulgences.

  • Rejected Protestant doctrines, stressing faith and works for salvation.

Implementing Council Reforms

Influential Reformers

• Charles Borromeo

  • Archbishop of Milan, focused on priest education.

• Francis de Sales

  • Worked to convert Calvinists and founded a teaching order for women.

• Teresa of Avila

  • Established significant spiritual practices and communities for nuns, promoting Catholic adherence.

Inquisition

Objectives and Procedures

• Aimed to identify heretics, especially from Jews, Muslims, and Protestants, while asserting church doctrine.

• Timeline: 1400s-1800s, primarily in Spain and Italy.

• Due process: Accused individuals were presumed guilty and faced torture methods for confessions.

Torture Techniques Used

• Breast Ripper: Inflicted severe injury to breasts.

• Lead Sprinkler: Boiling substances poured on the body.

• Heretic's Fork: Caused internal pain to elicit confessions.

• Thumb Screw: Crushed fingers and toes as a method of torture.

Index of Forbidden Books

• Established in 1559 by the Pope.

• Aimed to prevent heresy by restricting access to certain literature, notably Protestant texts and works by intellectuals like Erasmus.

Religious Conflicts and Wars

Prompting Factors

• Italian Wars (1494-1559): Charles V's invasion led to the trend of Renaissance spread.

• Peasants' War: Inspired by Luther's teachings, leading to uprisings that were suppressed by nobility.

• War Against Protestantism: Initiated by Charles V in 1546 with the signing of the Peace of Augsburg in 1555, allowing princes to choose their regions' religion.

France's Religious Turmoil

• Huguenots: French Protestants, faced violent suppression during clashes with Catholics.

• St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre (1572): Thousands of Protestants killed.

• Edict of Nantes (1598): Granted religious freedom to Protestants under King Henry of Navarre, transitioning towards tolerance.

Conclusion Notes

Major Branches of Christianity

• Roman Catholic

• Eastern Orthodox

• Protestant

Notable Protestant Branches

• Lutheran

• Anglican/Episcopal

• Methodist

• Presbyterian

• Reformed

• Baptists

• Pentecostal

• Nondenominational

• Independent

• Common belief in justification by faith; differing views on governance, sacraments, and Holy Spirit role.