Background: Martin Luther’s posting of the 95 Theses in 1517 led to a firestorm of change that swept through Europe. For
centuries the Catholic Church, led by the pope, was the main religious and often political power in Europe. Once the
Reformation took hold, reformers and protestors, known as Protestants, began to fight for an end to the corruption in the
church. The Catholic Church quickly realized that they must try to stop the spread of Protestantism, by reforming the church
and spreading Catholicism.
CounterReformation:
How did the Catholic
Church fight back against
the Reformation?
We must stop the
Reformation!
How did the
Catholic Church
spread
Catholicism
around the
world?
1)
2)
3)
4)
How was the
Catholic Church
reformed?
Assignment:
Read each source document and answer the Comprehension Check Questions on a separate sheet of paper.
Spend several minutes discussing each document with a partner. What insight did they get from the document that perhaps you
missed and vice versa? Share your Comprehension Check responses.
Using what you have learned from the sources complete the graphic organizer.
Discuss with the class how the documents you analyzed help you to answer the BIG Question, using evidence to support your
response.
BIG Question: How did the Catholic Church fight back against the Reformation?
Primary Source Graphic Organizer
How did the Catholic Church fight back against the Reformation?
Document A
Document B
Document C
Document D
Source:
Context:
Relationship:
Who wrote this document?
For what purpose?
When was it written?
Is it a believable source? How do
you know?
What was happening when this
document was written?
What relationship do the events
happening around the time of the
document have on the contents of
the document?
Based on the content and
information you learned from the
document, how does this
document help you to answer the
BIG question?
COUNCIL OF TRENT: Between 1545-1563, the Catholic
Church held meetings known as the Council of Trent to
address the problems in the Catholic Church brought to the
public’s knowledge by Martin Luther and other reformers.
This council of men not only instituted reforms but also a
plan to spread the Catholic religion and provide
clarifications of church doctrines and beliefs.
Source:news.library.depaul.edu
Table of Contents for Section I of the CATECHISM OF THE
COUNCIL OF TRENT FOR PARISH PRIESTS
Issued by order of Pope Pius V
INTRODUCTORY
The Necessity Of Religious Instruction
Need of an Authoritative Catholic Catechism
The Nature of this Work
The Ends of Religious Instruction
Knowledge Of Christ
Observance Of The Commandments
Love Of God
The Means Required for Religious Instruction
Need of an Authoritative Catholic Catechism
(Definition for catechism: a summary of the principles of Christian religion in the
form of questions and answers, used for the instruction of Christians)
But while the preaching of the divine Word should never be interrupted in the
Church, surely in these, our days, it becomes necessary to labour with more than
ordinary zeal and piety to nourish and strengthen the faithful with sound and
wholesome doctrine, as with the food of life. For false prophets have gone forth
into the world, to corrupt the minds of the faithful with various and strange
doctrines, of whom the Lord has said: I did not send prophets, yet they ran; I
spoke not to them, yet they prophesied. For those who intended to corrupt the
minds of the faithful, knowing that they could not hold immediate personal
intercourse with all, and thus pour into their ears their poisoned doctrines,
adopted another plan which enabled them to disseminate error and impiety more
easily and extensively. Besides those voluminous works by which they sought the
subversion of the Catholic faith - to guard against which (volumes) required
perhaps little labour or circumspection, since their contents were clearly heretical
- they also composed innumerable smaller books, which, veiling their errors under
the semblance of piety, deceived with incredible facility the unsuspecting minds
of simple folk.
Source: CATECHISM OF THE COUNCIL OF TRENT FOR PARISH PRIESTS
Issued by order of Pope Pius V
Document A: Comprehension Check Questions
1) Who wrote the document above (see top left corner)?
2) Examine the Table of Contents for the “Catechism” source. What
do the topics of the chapters tell you about the purpose of this
book?
3) According to the document above, why did the Council of Trent
(Catholic Church) feel that the church needed to preach the word
with more zeal than ever before?
4) Who are the “false prophets” that the document is referencing?
5) What several actions does the Council accuse the false prophets
of doing?
6) Examine the picture, who do you think the people are in the
picture and what are they doing?
COUNCIL OF TRENT: One of the ways the Catholic Church
tried to stop the spread of Protestantism, was by publishing
a list of books that no “good” Christian was allowed to read.
What was in the Index of Prohibited Books?
Definitions:
heresy (heretics)- an act/person that goes against the
teachings of the Catholic Church. The church usually
punished heretics, sometimes with excommunication
(exclusion from good standing in the church community)
Document B: Comprehension Check
Questions
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
Who wrote/issued this document?
What type of authors were put on the
“prohibited book” list?
Why would the Council of Trent not want
Martin Luther’s books to be read?
According to the document, why did the
Council of Trent believe it was harmful for
people to read certain books in the
vernacular? What language were most books
written in at that time?
Which specific book did the Council place on
the “prohibited list” that was surprising to
you?
Why would the Catholic Church not want the
common man to read that specific book?
Thoughts?
What was the punishment for reading a book
on the “prohibited list”?
TEN RULES CONCERNING PROHIBITED BOOKS DRAWN UP BY THE FATHERS
CHOSEN BY THE COUNCIL OF TRENT AND APPROVED BY POPE PIUS
Excerpt from Rule II
The books of those… heads or leaders of heretics, as Luther, Zwingli, Calvin,
Balthasar Friedberg, Schwenkfeld, and others like these, whatever may be their
name, title or nature of their heresy, are absolutely forbidden. The books of other
heretics, however, which deal professedly with religion are absolutely
condemned. Those on the other hand, which do not deal with religion and have
by order of the bishops and inquisitors been examined by Catholic theologians
and approved by them, are permitted.
Excerpt from Rule IV
Since it is clear from experience that if the sacred books are permitted
everywhere and without discrimination in the language of the vernacular
(language of the people) there will by reason of the boldness of men arise
therefrom more harm than good…
Bookdealers who sell or in any other way supply Bibles written in the vernacular
to anyone who has not this permission, shall lose the price of the books, which is
to be applied by the bishop to pious purposes, and in keeping with the nature of
the crime they shall be subject to other penalties which are left to the judgment
of the same bishop. Regulars who have not the permission of their superiors may
not read or purchase them.
Excerpt from Rule X
Finally, all the faithful are commanded not to presume to read or possess any
books contrary to the prescriptions of these rules or the prohibition of this list.
And if anyone should read or possess books by heretics or writings by any author
condemned and prohibited by reason of heresy or suspicion of false teaching, he
incurs immediately the sentence of excommunication.
Source: fordham.edu
Background: It can be assumed that the Catholic Church could never have predicted the force of the Protestant Reformation. This is especially so in terms of
the numbers of noblemen and other wealthy individuals who were attracted to the theology of Luther and Calvin. The Church did try respond but their response
-- internal reform -- was weak. One reform did come, it came from man who was not even a member of the clergy. Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556) was a soldier and
Spanish reformer who sought to create a new religious order. He fused the best of the humanist tradition of the Renaissance with a reformed Catholicism that he
hoped would appeal to powerful economic and political groups, that is, those types of people now attracted to Luther, Calvin. (Protestantism)
Founded in 1534, the Society of Jesus or the Jesuits, formed the backbone of the Catholic or Counter Reformation. The Jesuits combined the ideas of traditional
monastic discipline with a dedication to teaching and preaching. Why they did this is pretty clear -- they wanted to win back converts [to the Catholic Church].
As a brotherhood or society, the Jesuits sought to revive the Catholic religion not only in Europe but internationally. 2002 Steven Kreis
Excerpts from Martin Luther’s 95 Theses 1517 AD, in which he
lists some of “problems” as they came to be recognized, with the
Catholic Church.
32. All those who believe themselves certain of their own salvation
by means of letters of indulgence, will be eternally damned,
together with their teachers.
33. We should be most carefully on our guard against those who
say that the papal (pope) indulgences are an inestimable divine
gift, and that a man is reconciled to God by them.
It is blasphemy to say that the insignia of the cross with the papal
arms are of equal value to the cross on which Christ died.
62. The true treasure of the church is the Holy gospel of the
glory and the grace of God.
90. Again: since the pope's income to-day is larger than that of
the wealthiest of wealthy men, why does he not build this one
church of St. Peter with his own money, rather than with the
money of indigent (poor, needy) believers?
These questions are serious matters of conscience to the laity
(church-goers). To suppress them by force alone, and not to
refute them by giving reasons, is to expose the church and the
pope to the ridicule of their enemies, and to make Christian
people unhappy.
Ignatius Loyola 1534 AD : Let the following Rules be observed.
First Rule. The first: All judgment laid aside, we ought to have our mind ready and prompt to obey, in all, the true Spouse of
Christ our Lord, which is our holy Mother the Church Hierarchical.
Sixth Rule. To praise relics of the Saints, giving veneration to them and praying to the Saints; and to praise Stations, pilgrimages,
Indulgences, pardons, Crusades, and candles lighted in the churches.
Seventh Rule. To praise Constitutions about fasts and abstinence, as of Lent, Ember Days, Vigils, Friday and Saturday; likewise
penances, not only interior, but also exterior.
Eighth Rule. To praise the ornaments and the buildings of churches; likewise images, and to venerate them according to what
they represent.
Ninth Rule. Finally, to praise all precepts (rules) of the Church, keeping the mind prompt to find reasons in their defense and in
no manner against them.
Tenth Rule. We ought to be more prompt to find good and praise as well the Constitutions and recommendations as the ways of
our Superiors. Because, although some are not or have not been such, to speak against them, whether preaching in
public or discoursing before the common people, would rather give rise to fault-finding and scandal than profit; and
so the people would be incensed against their Superiors, whether temporal or spiritual. So that, as it does harm to
speak evil to the common people of Superiors in their absence, so it can make profit to speak of the evil ways to the
persons themselves who can remedy them.
Thirteenth Rule. To be right in everything, we ought always to hold that the white which I see, is black, if the Hierarchical
Church so decides it, believing that between Christ our Lord, the Bridegroom, and the Church, His Bride, there is the
same Spirit which governs and directs us for the salvation of our souls. Because by the same Spirit and our Lord Who
gave the ten Commandments, our holy Mother the Church is directed and governed.
Source: Spiritual Exercises by St. Ignatius Loyola
Document C: Comprehension Check Questions
1) Compare the “problems” Luther lists with the rules Loyola establishes for the Jesuits. Does Loyola address Luther’s
concern of the selling of Indulgences?
2) What do Luther and Loyola say should be treasured? Are they in agreement?
3) Examine #90 of Luther’s Theses. Luther believes the Church needs to be held accountable and provide reasons for
their actions, while Loyola believes that the Church leaders should be what?
4) Based on your comparison, to what extent did Loyola (Jesuits) reform the church during the Counter-Reformation?
THE ROMAN INQUISITION
The Catholic Reformation aimed not only at spreading the faith through reform of
the church and through preaching and teaching; in another of its aspects, it also
sought to suppress heresy. The chief institution directed to this purpose was the
Holy Office of the Roman Inquisition. It was not altogether new; in the Middle
Ages, there had been papal and episcopal inquisitions established for the task of
searching out heretics and bringing them to trial. By the fifteenth century,
however, the activity of these bodies had lessened. In Italy, the power of the
papal Inquisition had declined, together with its organization. In 1478, however,
Ferdinand and Isabella had revived the Inquisition in the Spanish kingdoms, and it
operated very effectively. Cardinal Caraffa (later Paul IV), who had observed it in
operation, was impressed by it and wanted a papal Inquisition of the same sort a
permanent, centralized tribunal with universal jurisdiction and power over all
persons, even the most highly placed, who might be suspected of heresy.
It was Caraffa who was chiefly instrumental in persuading Paul III in 1542 to
reestablish the Roman Inquisition. It had six Inquisitors-General, with great
powers, while they could punish, only the pope could pardon.
As a matter of fact, however, although the records of the Holy Office have never
been made available, it appears to have proceeded with more restraint than
might be inferred. Torture seems to have been used rarely, special consideration
was given to the sick, and the judges were merciful. Caraffa was inflexible,
however, in his insistence that no mercy be shown to the great. This is clear from
the four rules of procedure that he established: 1) punish on suspicion; 2) have no
regard for the great; 3) punish most severely those who take shelter behind the
powerful; 4) show no mildness, least of all toward Calvinists (Protestants)
Source: http://vlib.iue.it/carrie/texts/carrie_books/gilbert/19.html
Picture: : http://www.humnet.ucla.edu/santiago/whipping.gif
Document D: Comprehension Check Questions
1) What was the purpose of the Inquisition?
2) How was punishing heretics supposed to
stop the spread of Protestantism?
3) According to the infographic, what were the 2 possible punishments for either confessing
to heresy or being found guilty of heresy? Explain the steps a person might take to reach
this point.
4) Examine the picture. Who are the people watching the torture of this man? What does
that tell you about the other roles the Catholic Church played in the Inquisition?
Source: http://mysticpolitics.com/infographic-so-youve-been-accusedwitchcraft-whats-next/
Ignatius Loyola 1534 AD : Let the following Rules be observed.
First Rule. The first: All judgment laid aside, we ought to have our mind ready and prompt to obey, in all, the true Spouse of Christ our Lord, which is our holy
Mother the Church Hierarchical.
Sixth Rule. To praise relics of the Saints, giving veneration to them and praying to the Saints; and to praise Stations, pilgrimages, Indulgences, pardons,
Crusades, and candles lighted in the churches.
Seventh Rule. To praise Constitutions about fasts and abstinence, as of Lent, Ember Days, Vigils, Friday and Saturday; likewise penances, not only interior, but
also exterior.
Eighth Rule. To praise the ornaments and the buildings of churches; likewise images, and to venerate them according to what they represent.
Ninth Rule. Finally, to praise all precepts (rules) of the Church, keeping the mind prompt to find reasons in their defense and in no manner against them.
Tenth Rule. We ought to be more prompt to find good and praise as well the Constitutions and recommendations as the ways of our Superiors. Because,
although some are not or have not been such, to speak against them, whether preaching in public or discoursing before the common people, would
rather give rise to fault-finding and scandal than profit; and so the people would be incensed against their Superiors, whether temporal or spiritual. So
that, as it does harm to speak evil to the common people of Superiors in their absence, so it can make profit to speak of the evil ways to the persons
themselves who can remedy them.
Thirteenth Rule. To be right in everything, we ought always to hold that the white which I see, is black, if the Hierarchical Church so decides it, believing that
between Christ our Lord, the Bridegroom, and the Church, His Bride, there is the same Spirit which governs and directs us for the salvation of our souls.
Because by the same Spirit and our Lord Who gave the ten Commandments, our holy Mother the Church is directed and governed.
Source: Spiritual Exercises by St. Ignatius Loyola