Download Chapter 15.4

Chapter 15.4
COUNTER REFORMATION
Reforming the Catholic Church
 Early Reformers
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During the 1400’s the church was trying to Reform form within.
 Jesuits
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New orders were formed to help renew and reform the catholic
church. The Jesuits were formed in 1539 by Ignatius of Loyola and
confirmed by the pope. They helped renew the church’s emphasis on
spirituality and service.
They emphasized education as a means to combat the Protestant
Reformation
The established many schools and universities in many different
countries
This organization helped to regain ground against the Protestantism
Reforming the Catholic Church
 The Council of Trent
 Pope Paul III convened the Council of Trent in 1545 to help
redefine the doctrines of the Catholic Church
 They met to question the claims the Protestant made against
them
 Addressed the corruption of the clergy
 Sales of indulgences were abolished
 It rejected the Protestant emphasis on self-discipline and
individual faith.
 The believed they could inspire faith by using mystery and
magnificent ceremonies
 This helped to widen the divide between the catholic church
and protestant church
Reforming the Catholic Church
 Reforming Catholics
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Charles Borromeo and Francis of Sales helped to implement reforms
in the Catholic church after the Council of Trent
 Women and the Catholic Church
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During the Renaissance women began to take a bigger role in the
church
Angela Merici- began the Company of Saint Ursula which helped
teach girls
Jane of Chantal and Francis of Sales cofounded the Visitation of Holy
Mary order which trained women teachers
Mary Ward of England established many schools for girls throughout
Europe
Teresa of Avail- became a nun at 20 against her fathers will. Help
reform the practices of covents
Reforming the Catholic Church
 The Inquisition
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To help counter the Reformations the church established a church
court, call the Roman Inquisition.
They tried people who were accused of being Protestants, practicing
witchcraft, or breaking church law.
In Spain the monarchy controlled the Spanish Inquisitions. They
used it to convert (forced) Jews, Muslims, and Protestants
They church also established an Index of Forbidden Books. They said
if anyone read the books on list they would loose their soul.
Accounts of torture and executions by the courts damaged the
church’s image.
The Inquisitions during the Counter-Reformation are still seen as an
abuse of power by the Church.
Religious and Social Effects
 Changes in Religion
 The freedom that Martin Luther brought to religion also
brought a lot of turmoil.
 Catholicism had spread throughout Europe and the rest of
world manly because of Jesuits
 Protestants broke into many different sects
 All religions began to disagree and some even fought one
another
Religious and Social Effects
 Persecution and Hysteria
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Both Catholics and Protestants (even Luther) viewed Jews and
Muslims as heretics
Muslims were forced to convert to Catholicism or leave Spain
Many Jews left western Europe because of Persecution and settled in
Eastern and Southern Europe
In towns and countries that Jews where allowed to live they were
forced to live in certain parts of city called a ghetto. The ghettos were
walled and gated
Peoples fear of witches grew (especially in times of bad harvest or
political turmoil)
The hysteria grew and the trail and death of many women occurred
during this time
Many innocent victims were killed for their alleged witchcraft.
1580-1660 thousands of women especially those who were poor were
killed.
Religious and Social Effects
 Political Effects
 With the decline of the Churches influence began a rise of
nationalism began
 Many independent states formed because of the Reformation
 Most states and nations wanted the church to be less involved
in state matters
 Political power became separate from church power
 However nations and churches still aligned themselves with
one another to increase their influence in a certain region
Religious Wars and Unrest
 The Italian Wars
 France and Spain fought for control of Italy
 England also became involved in the fight
 Spain eventually sacked Rome
 The wars were officially over in 1559
 The main result of the war was the spread of the Renaissance
Religious and Social Effects
 Conflicts among Germans
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Ideas form the Reformation led the Peasant to want freedom from
high taxes of and lack of power
They stormed the castles and monasteries
Luther was blamed but refused to back the peasants which prevent
the reformation to led to a revolution for social equality.
In 1546 Charles V wanted to punish and stop Protestantism so he
fought the Lutheran Princes in German. But failed
In 1555 a peace was drawn between the two
It allowed each Prince to choose the religion his subjects would
practices (only Catholic of Lutheran) and the subjects had no say
However it started the movement for religious freedom
Causes and Effects of the Reformation
 Causes
 Humanist values led people to question church authority
 Some clergy were corrupt, worldly, or poorly educated
 Martin Luther posted his 95 Thesis
 The printing press helped spread Reformation ideas
 Effects
 Many Protestant sects developed
 Church leaders reformed the Catholic Church
 Religious intolerance and anti-Semitism increased
 Religious conflicts spread across Europe