Council of Trent

(1545-1563) Catholic church's response to the Reformation

Failure of Trent

No reunification of Church; fighting, persecutions among Catholics and Protestants, Anglicans continued

Reaffirmations of Trent

Scripture & Tradition, Faith & Good Works, 7 Sacraments, Mass as a sacrifice, transubstantiation

New Policies of Trent

Bishops cannot live outside their dioceses; Celibacy for Priests upheld; eliminate abuses surrounding the granting of indulgences; priests educated at a university or seminary; a catechism; a book of official daily prayers for priests (Breviary); an index (list) of books which were forbidden because they were judged to contradict Church teachings on faith or morals; missal that standardized the prayers and rituals of the Mass

Implications of Trent

ecclesia semper reformanda; role of nationalism and politics: need to recognize this in today's religious conflicts Catholic church remained a "church of Trent" for 400 years - until Vatican II in the 1960's—left little room for ongoing reform

ecclesia semper reformanda

"The church is always in need of reform" (or literally, "the church always must be reformed")