The meaning of counter-reformation movement: The atmosphere prepared people for Renaissance and in that to draw reforms or improvement in Catholic church, people like Wycliff and Hans raised voice for which they were punished. Pope and religious officers were absorbed in luxuries and entravagance. When Luther and Calvin revolted for the Catholic church the question of survival arose. When in Europe one after another states of Protestants were constituted so to save the Catholic church and stop Protestant movement, some positive remedies were done or performed. This reformist remedy began to be seen as a ‘Reformation movement reaction’.
This was called counter-reformation movement.
The main steps to make the counter reformation movement successful were :
1. The gathering of Tent (Council) : In the Northern Italy’s place named Tent, Catholic religious gathering was organised. In this gathering many reformist thinkers were called to give pure lecture about the principles of Catholic religion. In this gathering two types of decisions were taken—Related to principles and related to reforms.
In the reformative solutions the sale of redemption letters in church was stopped. The priests were directed to remain in their work zone and live an idealistic moral life. The arrangements were made to give progressive education to the clergy.
2. Religious Court (Acquisation court) : The religious court was established to stop the spread of protestants and trace the wavering catholics, punish them and the rebellious arthist propagators be given toughest punishment. Society of Jesus was established in 1534 AD. The establisher of this society was ‘Ignasius Loyala’. After the successful stint in training, they were given responsibilities and positions of priests, doctors, diplomats, Educationist, etc. The members of this organisation had to be disciplined and perform selfless service, live an austere and pure life, and to obey the religion, they had to take the pledge to support the Pope. The members of this organisation were sent to India, China, America and other countries to propagate the Catholic faith.
