Counter Reformation - 3749 Words

In order to understand the Counter Reformation one must consider the political factors and motivators behind them as well as the belief factors when examining clashes with the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church during 16th century experienced a reformation that was both politically and belief driven. The Catholic Reformation also known as the Counter Reformation allowed the church to clearly define its position, eliminate unchristian practices and examine its role in world. This paper will address the political motivators of the Counter Reformation, the unchristian practices that fueled corruption and the clearly defined religious concerns of reformers. It will establish that the use of patronage and nepotism ultimately undermined the†¦show more content†¦This initial reform from within started as a grassroots effort by zealous monastic groups. Reformers like Cardinal Jimenez realized that the only way to succeed in the war against heresy was to reform the church. Jimenez devoted his life to reforming and educating the clergy. His work came on the heals of the Spanish Inquisition. Through his works the Spanish church by the time of his death in 1517 rested on a moral foundation of iron. Yet Christianity throughout the rest of Europe was sinking deeper into scandal and corruption. (103TL) Another initiative that led to reform was the revival of mysticism and monasticism. Both mysticism and monasticism gave the Churchs followers a more personal relationship with God. Actually one can look to Teresa of Avila as an example. Her reconversion to the faith led to the establishment of 17 convents of the Carmelite Order. Through her works a movement of Christianity arose that could be practiced and experienced from within the believer. This kind of reform was another factor why the Protestant movement did not take hold in Spain. Followers had faith that stressed personal devotion so why would they look to change faiths. (Bell and Sumner) Like Spain reform had begun in the churchs strong hold Italy prior to the Counter Reformation. There were reasons that Protestantism did gain the firm foothold it gained in the north. Most prosperous Italians were secularly andShow MoreRelatedThe Counter Reformation and Catholic Mass1094 Words   |  5 PagesThis was the birth of the protestant reformation, a major blow to the Catholic Church and her followers. This drove the church to make many in-house adjustments, from religious orders to political influences of the church, reworking the framework of the traditional Mass itself and even restructuring many in house positions. This list of corrections made and actions taken in response to the Protestant Reformation is commonly referred to as the Counter Reformation. To begin the long, arduous processRead MoreCounter Reformation and Art History641 Words   |  3 PagesThe Reformation was a religious movement that divided the church between the Catholics and Protestants. The Counter-Reformation was a reaction movement that followed this originally crusade, and was lead by the Catholics as a response to the wide spread of Protestantism. The purpose of the Counter-Reformation was to spawn internal reforms. This movement was focused on the renewal of the church in the form of the use of images, focus on the church as the house of God, and the veneration of the VirginRead More Understanding Counter Reformation Essay3694 Words   |  15 PagesIn order to understand the Counter Reformation one must consider the political factors and motivators behind them as well as the belief factors when examining clashes with the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church during 16th century experienced a reformation that was both politically and belief driven. The Cath olic Reformation also known as the Counter Reformation allowed the church to clearly define its position, eliminate unchristian practices and examine its role in world. This paper will addressRead More Europe after the Protestant Reformation and the Catholic Counter Reformation783 Words   |  4 PagesEurope after the Protestant Reformation and the Catholic Counter Reformation The period immediately following the Protestant reformation and the Catholic counter reformation, was full of conflict and war. The entire continent of Europe and all of its classes of society were affected by the destruction and flaring tempers of the period. In the Netherlands, the Protestants and the Catholics were at eachother’s throats. In France it was the Guise family versus the Bourbons. In Bohemia, the religiousRead MoreCounter Reformation And The Counter Reformation849 Words   |  4 PagesElectronic Encyclopedia published an article about Catholic Reformation, and it wrote that â€Å"Counter Reformation, 16th-century reformation that arose largely in answer to the Protestant Reformation; sometimes called the Catholic Reformation. 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The Catholic Church had no choice but to respond to the Protestant Reformation and they did so in the late 1530s through Spanish reformer â€Å"Loyola.†Read MoreSaint Ignatius Loyola And The Spanish Army2008 Words   |  9 PagesNevertheless, the reading of the rules for the order of Christian life within St. Ignatius Loyola’s spiritual exercise document should be read with respect for the Roman Catholic Church , and read with the understanding of the 16th century Counter Reformation, spirituality, and scholastic learning . Saint Ignatius had a small following of six, they all had the plan of moving to the holy land and live within the imitation of Jesus Christ himself, and to work on the conversion of the Muslims, butRead MoreThe Establishment and Rise of the Jesuits Essay1348 Words   |  6 PagesJesuits, began. It’s founder, Ignatius Loyola, created this society very distinct from other orders, in its â€Å"fanatical† obedience to the pope, and requirement of education to be a practitioner in the Society. The Jesuits played a large role in counter-reformation, specifically Protestantism. The Catholic Church used the Jesuits to reclaim many of the souls lost to the heresies that abounded during that age. The Jesuits continue to serve the Church today, especially the Pope, and despite the accusationRead MoreReformation of the Church864 Words   |  3 Pages In sixteenth century Europe, the revival for Roman Catholicism took place. This reformation in the Church is significant ly important as it was during these times when Europe was all but mired by Protestant movements. This revival has often been referred to as the Catholic Counter-reformation, as a response against the Protestant Reformation. Christian humanism found expression, putting emphasis even on the pagan culture and philosophy. Controversies with the Protestants also gave way to