I sometimes refer to this part of the syllabus as "the Empire Strikes Back." We've been reading about the Protestant reformers for all this time; now what have the Catholics been up to? It turns out that they haven't been idle; in fact, in the years following the initial spread of the Protestant reformation, Catholics will make significant progress in recovering regions originally sympathetic to the Reformation (Poland is a case in point).

Our chapter for today has four sections: efforts at reform prior to or contemporary with Protestantism; attempts at suppression; the Jesuits; and Trent. Here are some questions to consider?

• What was the focus of late medieval reform movements? What were their limitations?
• Why did efforts at a more thorough evangelical reform fail in Italy?
• What is the Index of Prohibited Books, and what were its effects?
• How does Lindberg characterize the Inquisition?
• Be familiar with the more important Reformation popes, especially Paul IV (shown at left).
• Take a look at the excerpt from the Spiritual Exercises of Loyola, and note the ways in which Loyola affirms Catholic teaching against the criticisms of Protestantism. What particular examples do you see?
• What is Lindberg's evaluation of Loyola's approach?
• What were the accomplishments of the Council of Trent? What did it affirm, and what did it repudiate?
• How does Lindberg characterize the spirituality that emerged from the Catholic reform?
• Why was it impossible for Christendom to be reunited?

Laurel Carrington carringt@stolaf.edu
Most recent update: November 30, 2007

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