The Catholic (Counter) Reformation, Explained [AP Euro—Unit 2 Topic 5]

TLDR;

This video discusses the Catholic Reformation, also known as the Counter-Reformation, which was the Catholic Church's response to the Protestant Reformation. It highlights the establishment of the Jesuit order and other religious orders aimed at educating and reforming the church, as well as the significant Council of Trent. The council addressed some of the Protestants' complaints by suppressing simony, re-establishing the celibacy of the priesthood, and cleaning up the sale of indulgences. However, it also reaffirmed traditional Catholic doctrines, solidifying the divide between Catholics and Protestants.

• Establishment of the Jesuit order for education and the Roman Inquisition to root out heresy.
• The Council of Trent addressed corrupt practices but reaffirmed key Catholic doctrines.
• The divide between Catholics and Protestants was made permanent.

Introduction to the Catholic Reformation [0:00]

The video introduces the Catholic Reformation as the Catholic Church's response to the Protestant Reformation, which began in 1517 with Martin Luther's 95 Theses. About 30 years after the Protestant Reformation started, the Catholic Church began to re-evaluate its practices in light of the complaints raised by Protestants. The video aims to explore the actions taken by the Catholic Church in response to these criticisms.

Establishment of New Religious Orders [0:45]

One of the initial responses of the Catholic Church was the establishment of the Jesuit order by Ignatius of Loyola. The Jesuits focused on educating the church by establishing educational institutions across Europe, believing that better-educated Catholics would be less susceptible to Protestant doctrines. The Jesuits were also responsible for the Roman Inquisition, which aimed to eliminate heresy, and created the index of prohibited books, which listed books forbidden for Catholics to read. Additionally, the ursulines, a female order, focused on educating young girls and had a missionary impulse. Saint Teresa of Avila reformed the Carmelite Order, emphasizing prayer and poverty and rejecting the affluence that had corrupted the church.

The Council of Trent [1:54]

The most significant event of the Catholic Reformation was the Council of Trent, convened by Pope Paul III in 1545 to resolve the differences between Protestants and Catholics. The council addressed issues such as simony (the buying and selling of church offices), the immorality of priests and bishops, and the sale of indulgences. The council suppressed simony, re-established the celibacy of the priesthood, and reformed the sale of indulgences, prohibiting their sale to finance personal projects.

Reaffirmation of Catholic Doctrine [2:49]

In addition to addressing corrupt practices, the Council of Trent reaffirmed traditional Catholic doctrines. It affirmed that salvation comes through faith and works, not just faith alone, and upheld the doctrine of transubstantiation, which states that the bread and wine in the mass become the body and blood of Christ. The council also affirmed the seven sacraments of the church and the equal authority of the Bible and church dogma. These reaffirmations solidified the divide between Catholics and Protestants, making the split permanent.