THE COUNCIL OF TRENT Some had pushed for reforms and changes within the Roman Catholic Church before 1517, but once Luther published his 95 theses, the growth of Protestantism became a threat the church could not ignore. This movement to reform and strengthen the Catholic Church from within became known as the Catholic Reformation or the Counter-Reformation. In 1545, the pope called for a meeting in the city of Trent in northern Italy to begin the formal process of reforming the church from within. A group of bishops met 25 times over a period of 18 years in what became known as the Council of Trent. These meetings laid out the rituals and structures of the modern Catholic Church. They also clearly defined the differences between Catholics and Protestants.

The Council of Trent was a defining moment for the Catholic Church, not just for its reforms, but also for its impact on art and culture. The Church encouraged the creation of works intended to inspire faith, leading to the Baroque style, which emphasized emotional expression and grandeur. Artists like Michelangelo and Caravaggio thrived during this era, creating masterpieces that communicated religious themes and adorned churches to bring the divine closer to the faithful. The decisions made at the Council also influenced the way the Church approached education and the training of clergy. The establishment of seminaries for the proper formation of priests aimed to ensure that leaders were knowledgeable and capable of leading their congregations. This not only fortified the church’s authority but set a standard for religious instruction that continues to have lasting effects on Catholic education today.