Reformation
The term Counter-Reformation suggests that the Catholic movement began after the Protestant Reformation, whereas in truth the reform originally began in the Roman Catholic Church, and Luther was a Catholic reformer before he became a Protestant. Although there are certain dates assigned for the beginning and end of the Catholic Reformation, there has never been a break in the striving of the Church against the heresies that arose in the sixteenth century. But there was a time when there was heroism on a large scale, when whole classes, including new religious orders and episcopates, were filled with enthusiasm; when martyrs were numerous; when great writers, preachers, and leaders abounded; when education was attended from the highest motives and with the greatest interest; when the old duties of life were discharged with an alertness, a faith, a meaning which were new; when for a time Catholic rulers and whole states rose superior to consideration of self-interest. Roman Catholics reformed through stately popes and the Council of Trent, the beginnings of new religious orders, and the renewed Inquisition and the index of prohibited books. The popes are as a rule, and from the nature of their position, extremely conservati
ve, but it was characteristic of the Counter-Reformation (this term can be debated) that after the Council of Trent three popes of great reforming energy should be elected in close succession (St. Pius V, Gregory XIII, and Sixtus V). A predecessor to these great leaders was Pope Paul III. A series of reforming popes had led the Catholic Church in an effort to reorganize the church and make its doctrines clear. Pope Paul III, who was pope from 1534-49, provided strong leadership for Church reform. From all the clergy he demanded devotion to duty and the highest religious standards. Pope Paul III called hundreds of leading churchmen from all over Europe to the General Council of Trent which in three sessions from 1545-63, united Catholics for the coming religious struggle. The Council of Trent reaffirmed basic Catholic doctrine such as papal supremacy and exclusive church authority to interpret the Bible. It upheld traditional beliefs about the seven sacraments, veneration of Saints, and purgatory. The Council of Trent instructed archbishops and bishops to live in the areas they served to try to eliminate the abuses of the church. Nepotism was prohibited. Overall, the Council of Trent strengthened the organization of the church and did much to raise the moral of the clergy. Continuing the progress of the Council of Trent and Pope Paul III, many new reli
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Approximate Word count = 924
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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