Council of Trent

Portrait of Pope Paul III Farnese (by Titian) - National Museum of Capodimonte

Council of Trent by Pasquale Cati

WAF im Landesmuseum Zürich 64

Vera effigies D. Didaci Payua d'Andrade (1603) - Pieter Perret

Chemnitz, Martin (1522-1586)

Council of Trent

The Council of Trent (1545–1563) was the 19th ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church. Prompted by the Protestant Reformation, it has been described as the embodiment of the Counter-Reformation. The council was held in three phases in the city of Trent, located in northern Italy, and was one of the Church's most important councils. It aimed to address the doctrinal and disciplinary challenges posed by the Reformation and to reform the church internally.

Background

The need for reform within the Roman Catholic Church had been recognized for years before the Council of Trent. The rise of Protestantism, spearheaded by figures such as Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Huldrych Zwingli, challenged the doctrines, sacramental system, and clerical practices of the Catholic Church, leading to a significant religious fragmentation in Europe. In response, the Church sought to clarify its doctrines and reform its practices to address the criticisms and regain its lost unity and influence.

Sessions

The Council of Trent convened in three major sessions:

• The first session (1545-1547) focused on defining Catholic doctrine in opposition to Protestant tenets. It affirmed the Church's teachings on sacraments, original sin, and justification.
• The second session (1551-1552) continued the work of the first, addressing the Eucharist, penance, and extreme unction.
• The third and final session (1562-1563) dealt with the issues of church discipline, the Index of Forbidden Books, and the establishment of seminaries for the training of priests.

Key Decrees

The Council issued decrees on both doctrines and reforms. Among the most significant doctrinal decrees were:

• The affirmation of Scripture and Tradition as the twin sources of divine revelation.
• The declaration that justification is a process involving faith and good works, in contrast to the Protestant doctrine of justification by faith alone.
• The reaffirmation of the seven sacraments and the doctrine of transubstantiation.

On the reform side, the Council:

• Mandated the establishment of seminaries for the proper training of priests.
• Directed bishops to reside in their dioceses and oversee the spiritual and administrative needs of their flock.
• Introduced measures to eliminate abuses in the sale of indulgences and church offices.

Impact

The Council of Trent played a pivotal role in the Counter-Reformation, helping to clarify Catholic doctrine and reform the Church's practices. Its decrees were instrumental in revitalizing the Catholic Church in many parts of Europe, laying the groundwork for a period of Catholic resurgence. The Council's influence extended beyond theology and ecclesiastical discipline; it also had a profound impact on the arts, promoting the Baroque style in architecture, music, and art as a means of religious expression and devotion.

Legacy

The Council of Trent is remembered as a cornerstone of Catholic tradition and ecclesiastical authority. Its decisions have had a lasting impact on the Catholic Church, shaping its doctrines, liturgy, and pastoral practice up to the present day. The Council's emphasis on education and reform has also left a lasting legacy in the form of seminaries and renewed pastoral care.

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