COUNTER-

REFORMATION: THE
CATHOLIC
RESPONSE
 With the problem inherent in the Church
and the external controversies caused by
the Protestant Reformers, the Catholic
Church braced itself to resolve its own
concerns and carefully addressed the valid
points raised by the reformers.
According to scholars and historians, reform was already
underway in the Church, even before the emergence of the
reformers. For instance, there was great development in the
fields of Christian mission and education especially the ones
initiated by Ignatius of Loyola and his companions, ( known
today as the society of Jesus) who sought to be the servant of
the Church par excellence
Fairly, we may say that the church was conscious of its own
problems and made independent progress prior to the
reformation.
 Council of Trent
Undeniably though, the reformation was partly to be considered
as a pressing instigator to wider reforms in the Church. The
council of trent was opened on December 13, 1545 with the
intensions of clarifying the Churchs doctrines, imposing
disciplinary measures, fighting heresies and affirming
fundamental beliefs and practices of the Catholic Church, as
mentioned below:
 ONE, Trent affirms the due recognition of the
sacred Scripture and tradition: the Holy
Council, following the example of the
Orthodox Fathers, receives and venerates wit
equal pious affection and reverence, all the
books both of the New and old Testaments,
since one God is he author of both, together
with the said traditions, as well as those
pertaining to morals.
 TWO, it emphasizes that salvation
comes from God as a pure gift, but that it
requires some measure of human
cooperation which is a middle course
between Pelagianism (everything
depends on human effort) and
Protestantism (everything depends on
God)
 THREE, it teaches the seven sacraments
to be instituted by Christ and the Holy
Eucharist to be an encounter of the real
presence of Christ in the consecrated
bread and wine. To believe otherwise
would mean taking the risk of being
excommunicated (anathema)
 FOUR, it maintains its practice
of venerating the Saints, its
devotion to Mother Mary and its
recitation of the Rosary
 FIVE, it mandates the formation of seminaries
where young people are educatedtrained in
piety and religion. Such action was truly
necessary and fruitful because it advocates a
careful system in the selection and formation of
candidates to the priesthood; counters the
selling of ecclesiastical office (simony); prevents
the culture if appointing relatives or giving them
favors within a particular priest s jurisdiction
and the ordination of illiterate, unqualified
priest.
 SIX, it establishes the Index of
Forbidden Books which refers to
the heretical writings against
the Church.
9.2 POST-TRIDENTINA ERA
 The declarations and decisions
promulgated by the Council of Trent
exercised lasting influence on the
Catholic Church for the next 400 years,
until the time of the Second Vatican
Council was convened. Trent, indeed
brought changes in the Church leading to
the recovery of its credibility among its
members, restoration of lost territories to
the Protestants: Poland, large parts of
Germany, France and the Netherlands,
advancement of Christian education,
improvement in liturgy, formation of
priest and the definition of essential
Catholic teachings.
10. CONCLUSIONS
With the Roman Empire gone and the many
problems and controversies to the Church
endued, the Catholic Church had grown to
greater maturity. It admitted the excesses of
its own members, particularly the clergy,
corrected its own abuses and continually
implemented its own reforms for the welfare
of all its members.
To the Protestants, the Moslems and other
religion adherents, the Catholic Church today
emphasizes the need to be united, to foster
respect among all people even in our diversity
through a civilization of love and a culture of
dialogue.