The Counter-Reformation

The Catholic Church’s series of reforms in response to the Spread of Protestantism

Early Reformer’s Monk Girolamo Savonarola

(1400’s) (sahv-oh-nuh-Roh-luh) Tried to Change church from

within Wanted church to melt gold and

silver to buy bread for the hungry and poor of the church

Monk Savonarola Convinced people of the church to

burn their jewelry Know as “bonfire of the vanities”

Pope Alexander allowed bonfire at first Felt threatened and

excommunicated Savonarola Savonarola was executed in Florence

in 1498

The Jesuits Founded by Ignatius Loyola in

1534 Former Solider and Basque

Noble Approved by pope in 1539 Ran like a military organization

Emphasized obedience to the church

Established schools, universitiesEducation was Jesuits main

counter to the Protestants, and was successful

The Jesuits By 1700 Jesuits operated 669 Colleges across

Europe and in Asia Italy, Germany, India, Japan, China

Many leaders and future leaders schooled at Jesuits universities Caused some religious influence over politics

The Council of Trent Convened by Pope Paul III (3rd) 1545-1563 All church leaders met with the purpose of

defining the Catholic doctrines. Attempt to dismiss any claims made by

the Protestant Reformation Some things changed

Abolished the selling of indulgences Training of the priest was regulated Corrupt Clergy was addressed

The Council of TrentAttacks Protestants

Rejected protestants emphasis on self-discipline and individual faith Argued the church helped believers achieve

salvation by using mystery and magnificent ceremonies to inspire faith. Church still had millions of followers

The actions by the catholic church gave a strong reinforcement of the catholic faith Austria and Poland join the church again

Reforming Catholics Charles Boromeo (bohr-roh-May-oh)

Archbishop of Milan 1560-1584Built new schools to educate priest

Francis of Sales of France District of Savoy became Calvinist

Francis worked to reclaim district through missionary work

Founded religious teaching orders for women

Women and the Church

1535 Italian Nun Angela Merici began the Company of Saint Ursula Order of women dedicated to teaching

girls Jane of Chantal and Francis of Sales

Confounded the visitation of Holy Mary order Trained women to be teachers

Mary Ward of England Network of schools throughout Europe

At first rejected by the Jesuits because ideas were new later accepted

Women and the Church

Teresa of Avila Born in Spain in 1515 Nun at age 20; ran away to covenant in 1536

Covenant practices to lax, set her own guidelines Fasting, sleep, prayer

Church allowed Teresa to change Carmelite order

She claims she saw Jesus

Church Court Inquisition established in Rome in 1542

Pope increased the power of the court Tried anyone accused of practicing Protestantism Witchcraft Breaking church law

Spanish Inquisition established in 1478 Imposed religion uniformity over Jews, Muslims, and

Protestants Index of Forbidden Books

List of books forbidden to read. If read souls would be lost

Would torture an execute violators.

Still seen as abuse of power.

Religious and Social Effects

Catholics persecuted non-Catholics and non-Catholics persecuted Catholics.

All new factions against each other Lutherans denounced Anabaptist and Zwingli’s Calvinist denounced Lutherans

Everyone viewed Jews and Muslims as heretics 1492 Jews and Muslims forced to convert to

Catholicism or were exiled from Spain.

Outcast Jews resettles in eastern and southern Europe.

If allowed to stay, they were forced to live in ghetto’s

Ghettos: Walled or gated communities that were closed or opened at specific times of the day.

Witchery: Work done with the devil Witches killed cattle and children Blamed for times of bad harvest Penalized by death

1580-1600 1000 people executed. Most were poor women

Church losing power Catholic Church power was on the decline

and Nationalism was on the rise Protestants encouraged formation of

independent states and nations Merchants and rulers wanted less church

involvement Even though separated, churches and

governments would “align” to help maintain control of a region

War Italian Wars

In 1494 King Charles VIII of France invaded Italy

War between Spain and France to control Italy Ended in 1527 with the Sac of Rome by Holy

Roman Emperor Charles V and the Spaniard

Positive: Renaissance Idea’s continued to spread

War in Germany Growing Population and Renaissance ideas and the

Reformation promoting “freedom” peasants unhappy Peasants were highly taxed and had no power 1524 10,000 peasants stormed castles and monasteries

Known as Peasants’ War Nobles harshly suppressed the uprising Lutherans were blamed for stirring the pot. Denied any

involvement.

1546 Holy Roman Emperor Charles V went to war against Lutheran princes of Germany Peace of Augsburg signed in 1555. Chose either Catholic or

Lutheranism

France Huguenots and Protestants fought against

Catholics Henry Navarre (leader) converted to Catholic.

Became King Gained support from Catholics

1598 Henry’s Edict of Nantes granted religious freedom to Protestants.