The Counter-Reformation
Beginning in 1545 with the Council of Trent, this was an effort by the Catholic Church in Rome to counter the spread of Protestantism
The Church focused on improving and protecting their faith through three main areas:
- Council of Trent – reinforced Catholic doctrine & practises, while universally banning reformist ideas
- Foundation of the Jesuits – to promote and educate young men in Catholic values and beliefs from an early age
- The trial or ‘Inquisition‘ of heretics – to publicly punish ‘heretics’ in an effort to publicise the dangers of reformist ideology
