Lesson 6

Question 1

Who were the key humanist leaders in the Roman Catholic Counter-Reformation?

Answer 1

1. Desiderius Erasmus
2. Gasparo Contarini
3. Jacob Sadoleto
4. Juan de Valdes
5. George Witzel: A Means of Ecclesiastical Harmony (1539)
   * Return to the simplicity and flexibility of the ancient church
   * The Bible should be in the common language
   * Preaching must take place on biblical texts
   * Private masses should be abandoned
   * Education for lay church leaders
   * The common roots of the Roman Catholics and Protestants in the ancient church should be emphasized

Question 2

What religious orders were active during the Roman Catholic Counter-Reformation?

Answer 2

New religious orders of the 16th century
1. Carmelites
2. Jesuits
3. Hermits
4. Cenobitic groups
5. Benedictine monasticism
6. Mendicant Friars
7. Capuchins
8. Order of the Discalced
9. Oratory of Divine Love
10. Order of Theatines
11. Ursulines

Question 3

What were some of the major decisions of the Council of Trent?

Answer 3

1. Tradition bears the same authority as Scripture
2. Apocrypha was included in the canon of Scripture
3. Vulgate was declared the official Bible of the church
4. Protestant teachings on original sin and justification by faith alone were rejected
5. Number of sacraments were fixed at seven, giving grace ex opere operato
6. Transubstantiation was affirmed
7. Moral standards for clergy were reaffirmed
8. Index was greatly expanded by the addition of Protestant writings