March 21 - Reform in the Church

March 21 – Reform in the Church

Pope Paul III was intent on reforming the church. He appointed cardinals that believed in reform and created a commission to recommend changes for the church.

He may not have wanted to hear the truth, but it is what he received. The clergy was more corrupt than anyone imagined, bribing others to gain their office. Morality was at an incredible low among both the clergy and monastic orders. The abuses in the sale of indulgences paled in comparison to the number of prostitutes allowed to move throughout Rome.

He called the Council of Trent in 1540 and it met at various times until 1563. Attendance wasn’t great, and politics continued to play a part, but change was coming.

Indulgences were abolished. The clergy was expected to maintain celibacy. Many Catholic positions were affirmed – seven sacraments (the Protestants said there were two) and sacraments were necessary for salvation. Transubstantiation (communion elements become the blood and body of Christ) was affirmed and the Latin mass was lifted up rather than having services in the local language.

They re-established that only the church could properly interpret Scripture and the Latin Vulgate was promoted as the Bible of the church.

The study of Thomas Aquinas’ works were promoted by the Council, ensuring that his theology would gain strength. They also affirmed the authority of tradition as parallel to that of Scripture and that justification was based on good works done through both grace and the believer.

Many of the Council’s declarations were direct responses and reactions to Protestantism and this marked the beginning of the modern Catholic Church.