ite the earnest religious sentiments which have at all times characterized many individual followers of the Reformation. (Tyacke, pg 5-25)Counter-reformationThe response of the Roman Church to the reformers' demands is the Counter-reformation. The Jesuits, founded by Ignatius of Loyola, aggressively led a campaign to support Catholic doctrine. The members of the order acting behind the scenes within the Catholic monarchies exercised a strong influenced in political spheres; Jesuit priests often acted as confessors to major political leaders. Papal authority is considered inviolable, canonization and worship of saints is to be a cornerstone of celebratory ritual, and the visual grandeur of the church is to be encouraged to excess. Charles V strongly recommends that the papal Curia convene to resolve issues of internal dispute, and after many delays a council convenes in Trent in December of 1545. Three basic issues are under examination; two are broad resolves to clarify doctrinal issues in order to still internal disputes, and definitively solve the problem of ecclesiastical abuses among the clergy. The third issue is the initiation of a crusade against the infidels. Paul III frankly hopes to get widespread approval to condemn the Protestant heresy, and thereby gains support for a suppression of the reformers by force. In the end, the Council of Trent succeeds not by condoning violence, but by offering a united front against the Protestants. The Church proved itself capable of action, and reinforced its presentation of the orthodox faith. In the second half of the 16th century the theological conflict becomes a political power struggle. By the time Martin Luther dies in 1546 and John Calvin in 1564 the Reformation message is complete. The Protestant movement has split into a number of sectarian churches, and no more great Protestant reformers are to appear. Ignatius of Loyola dies in 1556 and the Council of Trent ends in 1563, thus a...
