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Catholic Counter Reformation

Catholic Counter Reformation. Take That, You Lousy Protestants. Church Reaction to Protestant Reformation. Protestant communities and states were established Conflicts b/w Catholics and Protestants erupted Catholic Church realized it had to do something, and fast

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Catholic Counter Reformation

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  1. Catholic Counter Reformation Take That, You Lousy Protestants

  2. Church Reaction to Protestant Reformation • Protestant communities and states were established • Conflicts b/w Catholics and Protestants erupted • Catholic Church realized it had to do something, and fast • Realized there needed to be reform and renewal of the Church

  3. Pope Paul III (1468-1549) • Elected pope, 1534 • Desired reform within the Catholic church • Organized meetings with Lutherans in southern Germany • Started well • Broke off – couldn’t agree on meaning of Eucharist • Decided to hold church council • Protestants invited but, declined

  4. Council of Trent (1545-1563) • Aimed to: • Define Catholic teachings • Eliminate corruption by establishing clear rules • Begins Catholic Reformation • No essential beliefs were rejected • Corrupted and abused practices were reformed • Rules spelled out

  5. Teachings that were re-affirmed • Christian faith is based in the Bible and Tradition of Catholic Church • Church has final word on interpreting the Bible • Salvation comes through faith and good works inspired by faith • All seven sacraments are valid • Christ is truly present in the Eucharist • Mass is a sacrifice, not simply a memorial meal

  6. New Discipline for the Church • Bishops had to live in their diocese • Some rural bishops had decided they liked living in cities better • Celibacy for priests is mandatory (no ifs, ands or buts) • Bishops were to eliminate abuses relating to the granting of indulgences • Diocese without a university had to set up a seminary to train priests

  7. New Books created • Catechism – summary of church teachings • Breviary – book of official daily prayers for priests • Also published was a list of forbidden books • Contents contradicted faith or moral teachings of Catholic Church • A missal was also created • Laid out prayers and rituals of the mass • This same missal was used till 1960’s

  8. Council Creates Reform but not Unity Positive Negative Reform of many church abuses New religious orders founded to undertake reforms Clear and well-defined standards for practice of faith established Failed to reunite followers of Luther, Calvin, Henry VIII and Catholic Church Reform came too late And most decisions supported traditional Catholic teachings Spirit of revival marred by Spanish Inquisition

  9. Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556) • Trained from childhood to be a knight • led defence forces for a fortress in Pamplona • Injured – cannonball hit both his legs • During recovery read books • Tales of Chivalry & religious biographies (Dominic and Francis) • The biographies profoundly influenced him

  10. After Recovery • Could no longer serve the king as a soldier • Became soldier for Christ • Living the Gospels became his desire (conversion) • Gave away his armour • Went to the mountains to pray – ate little, prayed constantly • Went to study at University in Barcelona, then at Paris • Wrote Spiritual Exercises – 30 day program for deeper spiritual maturity

  11. The Society of Jesus / Jesuits • 1530’s • Ignatius and six fellow students took vow of poverty and service to others • 1540 • Offered services to Pope Paul III, who approved the new order called the Society of Jesus or Jesuits • Jesuit vows: • Poverty • Chastity • Obedience, and added Obedience to Pope • Militaristic discipline in terms of obedience • wherever the pope or Superior General sent them, they went without question

  12. Education • Emphasis on education • Jesuits went through at least 15 years of study • Opened schools and colleges everywhere • Main focus became teaching/preaching • Helped promote Catholic reform • Spread the Gospel all over the world – especially North America

  13. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) • Carmelite nun • Suffered from poor health • Felt convent had lost the spirit of monasticism • quiet reflection on God • prayer • Began her own convent of Discalced Carmelites • Discalced – “without shoes” – wore sandals • Main Carmelite order tried to shut her convent down • Didn’t like being challenged for their lack of commitment

  14. Mental Prayer • Like St. Francis of Assisi, Teresa was charming and humourous • Was well liked and desired to be liked • Often fell into worldly desires • Found prayer difficult • Withdrew from the pleasures of social relations • Began to practice mental prayer (meditation), and became immersed in God "For mental prayer in my opinion is nothing else than an intimate sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with him who we know loves us. The important thing is not to think much but to love much and so do that which best stirs you to love. Love is not great delight but desire to please God in everything."

  15. Founder of Convents • Founded over 16 in her lifetime • Stressed a return to spirit of quiet contemplation • Silent life of prayer • Helped to restore spiritual life of the church

  16. Homework • Do you feel that there are things that need to be reformed in the church today? • ie: changes that you would make • How should we go about making these reforms?

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