Due to Luther's protest movement, the respect of the Roman Catholic religion and its supreme priest, the Pope, was hurt and its importance started decreasing day by day. Therefore, seeing and understanding the circumstances, to end the opposition, he decided to make some reforms in the Roman Catholic religion. The reform plans made by Roman Catholic reformers are called Roman Catholic Reform Movement or Counter-Reformation.The following reasons and circumstances were responsible for Counter-Reformation:
1.
Interpersonal differences among Protestant followers: Taking advantage
The
originator of the Protestant religion was Martin Luther, but due to his
differences with the religious reformers of other countries, the unity of the
Protestant sect was broken and it was divided into three parts. The occasion
was ripe for Catholic reformers. Taking advantage of the mutual animosity among
the Protestant religion, he started efforts to reform the Catholic religion, in
which he achieved considerable success, because the differences of opinion
among the three branches of the Protestant religion, Lutheranism, Zweigism and
Calvinism, were increasing.
2.Council
of Trent: Internal Reform in Catholicism: Self-examination
For
the revival of Catholic religion, a meeting was organized at a place called
Trent in 1562 AD, in which new rules for Catholic religion were propounded. The
following main doctrines were confirmed at the Council of Trent:
(ⅰ)
The head of the Catholic Church is the Pope.
(ii)
The Church has the monopoly on interpreting religious texts.
(iii)
A new Bible should be prepared in Latin for Catholics.
Apart
from this, some reforms were also announced in this meeting, the main ones were
the following:
(i)
A ban was imposed on selling church posts.
(ii)
All bishops should perform their respective duties.
(iii)
Proper training arrangements for the priests.
(iv)
To propagate sermons in the language of common people as per requirement.
3.
Great religious reformer: Support and cooperation
Fortunately,
Catholics got the support and cooperation of some great religious reformers who
wanted to remove the flaws prevalent in Catholic religion. Among these, the
name of Ignatius Loyola is especially noteworthy, who gave importance to
religious reform and reaction through his ideal life and good behaviour. King
Philip of Spain also cooperated in this.
4.
Jesuit Society: organization
A
Jesuit order was established to oppose Protestantism. This organization was
founded by Ignitius Loyola, a Spanish soldier. Loyola was unanimously elected
general of this union. Since the organization of this Sangh was based on
military system, the discipline was very strict. The Jesuits enjoyed some
special rights due to which they became the foremost protectors of the Catholic
religion. Every member had to take four promise, firstly to live in poverty,
secondly to obey third commandment of celibacy and fourthly to have devotion
towards the Pope. The result of the efforts of this association was that the
growing influence of Protestantism could be stopped in countries like France,
Germany, Poland etc.
5.Prohibited
anti-Catholic books: Trying to Create Distance
According
to the Council of Trent the Pope was requested to prepare a list of books that
were anti-Catholic. Therefore, the Pope prepared a list of prohibited
books and reading the books mentioned in it was banned for Catholics. Apart
from this, sermon books were revised and new books were prepared for religious
education.
6.
Religious Court (Inquisition): Fear of punishment
An
effort was made to elevate the moral as well as religious conduct of Catholics.
Religious courts (Inquisition) were established for those who behaved below the
prescribed standards. It was established first in Italy and then in other
countries. For its establishment, approval had to be taken from that state.
Those who criticized the Catholic Church were presented and tried in these
courts. This court had the power to arrest a person, confiscate his property
and even give him the death penalty. Only the Pope had the right to hear the
final appeal regarding the decisions of these courts.
Thus,
through these above mentioned institutions or means, the Catholic Church
achieved considerable success in re-establishing its lost prestige and stopping
the growing influence of Protestantism. Apart from these, other factors also
proved helpful for the success of the counter-reform movement. Firstly, the Popes
of the last years of the sixteenth century were of good character and devout.
Secondly, the Protestants lacked leadership like Luther. Apart from this, the
change in political circumstances also contributed to the success of the
counter-reform movement. Due to their political interests, countries like
France, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Poland etc. compromised with the Pope and
provided support to him, which strengthened this movement.
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