Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent

The beginning of the sixteenth century witnessed a fast and broad disintegration of the Roman Catholic Church in some parts of Europe. The process, initiated by Martin Luther in 1517, resulted in the birth of numerous sects and heresies among Luther’s countless followers. Eight years after Luther put forth questions concerning the selling of indulgences (that is, partial remission of punishment for sin after death), the German-speaking regions of Europe broke away from the Catholic Church and converted to Lutheranism. The Church did not have a plan for opposing what came to be called the Reformation, which attracted numerous people daily. Attempts to isolate Luther and his followers failed. Instead of reuniting Christianity, papal actions brought no results. Political forces, in particular, the Holy Roman Emperor, were not successful either. For a long time suggestions that the Church should summon a council as its highest authority to solve the problem were ignored for religious and political reasons.

After several attempts to stop the spread of new ideas, Pope Paul III decided to summon a council, which met in Trent, Germany, in 1545. Proceedings were long, but the issues were delicate and difficult: how to reverse the process of people leaving the Catholic Church and avoid losing more and how to treat those who questioned the teachings of the Church, its traditions, and its authority. The Council of Trent debated for almost twenty years, with several breaks between sessions. One pope opened it, and a different one closed it. The most contentious problems raised at the council were connected with the question of doctrinal truths denied by the reformers and the practical issues of dealing with the crisis within the Church.

Writings documenting the progress of the sessions of the council form a fascinating collection of documents pointing to the arguments, fears, and doubts that must have been raised and discussed during the sessions. A final outcome of the council, in addition to the Canons and Decrees of the Sacred and Ecumenical Council of Trent, was the Tridentine Catechism, published in 1566, which provided the Church’s official answer to those who questioned its right to draw on tradition and suppress opposition. The Council of Trent gave clear answers to all the doubts of various Protestants of the day. These answers grew out of the Church’s conservatism and its traditions dating back to its founding. The Church upheld all its teachings and dogmas, with no amendments, and no attempt was made to reconcile with the reformers.