The Council of Trent

    The Council of Trent was convened in the year 1545 (1545-1563) by Pope Paul III. The purpose of the council was to guide reform within the church, particularly in the wake of the Protestant Reformation. Cognizant that the Protestant Reformation was a well-fueled fire, leaders of the Church determined to provide a clear voice of Catholic teaching and doctrine amidst the prevalent confusion. The council took place over the course of eighteen years, addressing primarily areas of discipline and doctrine. It was disrupted multiple times, first due to concern for the plague (the Black Death), the council was also halted by political conquests and changes in papal authority. [1] Finally reconvened in January of 1562 by Pope Pius IV, the council was brought to an end nearly two years later, adjourning on December 4, 1563. Even while the Council was in progress it produced positive results, and its decrees took hold throughout the Church in proceeding years.

The Council of Trent boldly stepped in to clarify the Catholic doctrines that had been called into question by Protestant reformers. It can be separated into three clear periods, which carried their own unique set of characteristics. Initially, the hope in calling the council to order was conciliation between the Protestant Reformers and the Catholic Church. These intentions marked the first period of the council (1545-1547), which called both for reform and clarification of doctrine. Among its contributions, the first period confirmed the number of books in the Old and New Testament as well as the Vulgate translation, established doctrinal decrees on the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church, and taught man’s justification by faith demonstrated both through faith and works.[2] In the second period which ran from 1551-1552, attending Protestants demanded that all of the doctrinal decisions from the first period be readdressed, in addition to the question of allegiance to the pope and the pope’s authority. By the third period of the council (1562-1563), it was apparent that reconciliation between the Protestants and Catholics was unlikely. Instead, the council doubled down on defining key Catholic doctrines particularly pertaining to the liturgy, such as the transubstantiation and the sacrificial nature of the Mass.

    Overall, the contributions of the Council of Trent were vast and vitally specific amidst the surrounding religious confusion. Particularly centered on clarifications surrounding the liturgy, the council focused on aspects such as liturgical prayers and music, the veneration of sacred images, and the nature of the Mass as a perpetuation of the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross.[3] Proper veneration of, and devotion to, Mary was established as well. The council also addressed the future education of the clergy and the establishment of seminaries. Such a move, in time, purified the Catholic diocesan clergy who arose in service to the Church. The council spoke out against certain abuses which had plagued the Church, namely the selling of indulgences as well as the financial abuse rampant throughout every level of the ecclesial hierarchy. A consolidated, clarified doctrine arose from the council, quelling much of the ambiguity and false doctrine that had arisen throughout the Protestant Reformation. In summary, the Council of Trent played a fundamental role in the Counter-Reformation and the renewal of the Church across Europe, and as a newfound devotion to Mary and the saints, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and frequent reception of Holy Communion blossomed forth, its impact would be deep and lasting.[4]

 

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[1] Joseph Francis Kelly, The Ecumenical Councils of the Catholic Church: A History (Liturgical Press, 2009), 133-134.

[2] John Vidmar, OP, The Catholic Church Through the Ages (New York: Paulist Press, 2014), 81.

[3] Vidmar, The Catholic Church Through the Ages, 81.

[4] Vidmar, The Catholic Church Through the Ages, 81.