How important was the Council of Trent to the reform of the Catholic Church

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How important was the Council of Trent to the reform of the Catholic Church? (24marks)

The Council of Trent was a general council called by Paul III in 1545 to solve the religious divisions of Germany and to reform the Catholic Church. It can be said that the Council of Trent was very successful and very important in the reform of the Catholic Church, but other factors such as the influence of the Papacy and the new orders were also important.

The Council of Trent can be seen as the most important factor to the reform of the Catholic Church because many of its most important aims to reform the church were achieved. The Council of Trent allowed the reformers in the council to clarify and doctrine, they were able to reassess any teachings/doctrines that were challenged by Protestant reformers and they implemented them to the benefit of the Church. Also they were able to improve standards in the Church and were able to set higher standards and some form of discipline. It was important that the corrupt nature and decreasing standards of the Church to be addressed and the Council of Trent allowed them to do this and the reformation was better for it. Though the Council of Trent allowed the Catholic Church to change attitudes and set new standards, it also allowed them to focus on resisting the Protestant advance. The Council of Trent was used as a method of Counter Reformation and allowed the Catholics to resist and turn back the increasing Protestant advance and attempts at reform.

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Although the Council of Trent was important it was unable to agree a compromise with Protestant churches. Therefore the Council of Trent’s agreements to reform the Church was unable to reach many other lands apart from the Holy Roman Empire as some princes were not prepared to accept the policy of reform.

The Papacy and the Papal Court was also important in the reform of the Catholic Church because the Papacy had much of the power to pass decrees and laws at the time. For example without Paul III it is likely the Council of Trent wouldn’t have ...

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