Chapter 8.3: The Counter Reformation

Ignatius of Loyola and the Jesuits: “Agents of the Pope”

I. The Church Tries to Reform Itself1. The Church set out to defeat Protestantism. This

effort is the Counter-Reformation.

2. Pope Paul III set up the Council of Trent, which made reforms, clarified Catholic beliefs and created strict policies for the clergy. Seminaries were special schools to train priests.

3. The Jesuits, known as the Society of Jesus, were founded by Ignatius of Loyola. They taught, preached, and fought heresy.

II. Religious Wars of Europe

1. Many French nobles became Huguenots, or French Protestants. Catherine de’ Medici refused to compromise with the Protestants.

2. There was a long civil war between Catholics and Protestants. Henry IV (a Huguenot) agreed to become Catholic. The Edict of Nantes made Catholicism the official religion, but Huguenots could worship freely.

Tomás de Torquemada Spanish Inquisition

3. The Thirty Years’ War, the worst religious war, was between Protestant and Catholic kingdoms fought in the Holy Roman Empire

4. Ferdinand and Isabella wanted all people in Spain to be Catholic. The Spanish Inquisition headed by Tomás de Torquemada was responsible for executing 2,000 Spaniards.

III. The Legacy of the Reformation1. The power of the Catholic Church diminished.

2. Monarchies gained greater power.Divine right to rule

3. Catholic kingdoms sent missionaries to America/Asia.Francis Xavier, a Jesuit, arrived in JapanMissionaries arrived in Vietnam, the Phillipines

4. European nations and the “new world” divided between Catholic and Protestant.