Class 12 : Trent

Ann T. Orlando

8 February 2006

Rome in Later 16th C

Center of Catholic Spiritual Power Combined with Spanish military might, world-wide

reach “Stubborn” emphasis on (reformed) discipline and

doctrine rejected by Protestants Confession Sacraments Tradition Saints Importance of Papacy Art in service of religion: the Baroque

Catholic Response: Council of Trent Called by Pope Paul III Lengthy, intermittent (1545-1563)

Pope initially reluctant to call council because of bad experiences with councils (especially Council of Constance) in 15th C

Purpose was both to address reform of practice and to uphold Catholic doctrine

Developed in several sessions Jesuits play a major theological role at Trent;

encouraged explicit statement of Catholic doctrine in opposition to Protestant views

Politics Behind Council

Charles V wanted control of Council; insisted that it occur in his territory, and control over bishops

Also, successors of Paul III, Julius III and Paul IV, not in favor of council Limited control over French bishops Not in favor of some reforms

Structure of Councils 3 Periods Period I (1545-1547) Period II (1551-1552) Period III (1562-1563)

First Session 1545-1547 Key Results Includes Bull of Convocation, Sessions 1-10;

Pope Paul III Emphasis on Nicene Creed and Tradition Definitive statement concerning books of NT

and OT; Latin Vulgate declared adequate for doctrinal proofs

Number of sacraments fixed at 7 Justification: man cooperates with God’s

grace

Second Session (1551-1552)

Includes Sessions 11-16; Pope Julius III Degree on Eucharist that defined Real

Presence; Transubstantiation as way to describe it Sacrament of Penance revised

Third Session (1562-1563)

Sessions 18-25; Pope Pius IV Resolution that issues should live in their

diocese Catechism of Trent Revised missal and breviary Mass as true sacrifice Reform decrees on clerical behavior and

revision of seminary rules

Key Theological Statements from Trent Scripture and tradition Sacraments are effect through performance of

sacramental action, “ex opere operato” Affirmed Mass as sacrifice and transubstantiation Affirmed 7 sacraments Good works together with faith brings about

salvation Affirmed indulgences and intercession of saints

Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621) Born in Italy; attended schools run by Jesuits Entered Jesuit order 1560 Writes De Controversiis 1576

Systematic work based on Council of Trent As chief theologian in Curia, he was able to

ensure degrees of Trent were implemented Declared saint and doctor of Church in 1930

Impact of Trent

Defined Catholicism in Modern World Reiterated tradition Defined Catholicism as opposed to Protestants

Gave the Church a unified teaching program against the Protestants

Made Jesuits the theologians of the Church at beginning of modern period Note, Jesuits not tied to local bishops

Relation between Trent and Vatican II still being worked out

Assignments

1. Ignatius Loyola Spiritual Exercises, Rules to Have True Sentiment in the Church available at http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/loyola-spirex.html

2. Theresa of Avila. Autobiography, Theresa’s Arguments of the Chapters available at http://www.ccel.org/ccel/teresa/life.v.html and Chapter XII available at http://www.ccel.org/ccel/teresa/life.viii.xiii.html

3. Theresa of Avila. Way of Perfection, Preface – Chapter 7; pp 12-35 at http://www.ccel.org/ccel/teresa/way.pdf

4. Trent Decrees on Scripture, Sacraments, Justification, Sacraments, Sermons 13.14-13.19 in The European Reformations Sourcebook. ed Carter Lindberg. Malden: Blackwell, 2000. pp 253-258.

5. Short Paper on Catholic Response