RLST 125W

The Catholic Reformation: A Sketch of the Chronology

1. The Unreformed Papacy 1490-1534

Alexander VI 1492-1503.

A Borgia

Julius II 1503-13

Leo X 1513-21

Faced the Lutheran challenge

Hadrian VI d. 1523 - the last non-Italian pope.

Clement VII 1523-34, a Medici

1527 - sack of Rome by Imperial forces

2. The Beginnings of Reform 1534-1565

Paul III 1534-49 Alessandro Farnese

1540, approved Society of Jesus (1534)

1542, Roman Holy Office, or Inquisition

1545, beginning of Council of Trent

Major figures: St. Ignatius Loyola 1491-1556

Julius III 1550-55

1553 - England briefly returned to the Church under Queen Mary

1550, new constitution for Jesuits

1552 Collegium Germanicum established for German priests to restore Catholicism in that country; also very active in encouraging missions to Indies, Far East and Americas

Paul IV 1555-59

Leader of reformist party 1530s

1557, issued Index of Forbidden Books

Confined Jews in ghettos in Rome, and forced them to wear special clothing

Pius IV 1559-1565

more liberal, restricted Inquisition

1560, made Charles Borromeo cardinal

Reconvened Council of Trent, suspended since 1552. Conclusions issued 1562-63:

1. Scripture includes Apocrypha

2. Baptism takes away original sin

3. Christ died for all but benefit only to those to whom it is communicated - Grace inspires people to approach God, and can accept or reject

4. purgatory reaffirmed

5. rejection of priesthood of all believers

6. seven sacraments and transubstantiation reaffirmed

7. clergy forgive and retain sins

8. acceptance of saints, relics, sacred images and indulgences

3. The Height of the Reform Era 1565-1620

Pius V 1566-72

Supported by Charles Borromeo and rigorist party

Revised catechism, missal, breviary, all c 1566-72.

1571, Battle of Lepanto -formed Holy League, with Spain and Venice.

Major figures: St Francis Borgia 1510-1572; St Charles Borromeo 1538-1584

Gregory XIII 1572-1585

Several new colleges at Rome, including (1572), Roman College (Gregorian University); English College 1579; also Greek, Maronite, Armenian, Hungarian colleges

Supported Teresa of Avila’s discalced Carmelites, 1580; and Philip Neri’s Oratorians

1578, catacombs discovered

1582, Gregorian calendar introduced

Major figures: St. Philip Neri 1515-1595; St. Teresa of Avila 1515-1582.

Sixtus V 1585-90

supported missionary efforts in Philippines, Japan, China, South America

Clement VIII 1592-1605

1596, ban on Jewish books

1600, sent Giordano Bruno to the stake

1595-96, accepted treaty of Brest Litovsk, allowing Orthodox in Poland to join church while keeping their own liturgy, as Uniates

1600, great jubilee in Rome - height of reformed papacy.

major figures: St. Robert Bellarmine 1542-1621.

Paul V 1605-21

1606, Venice under Interdict - had forbidden new churches.

1615, allowed use of vernacular liturgy in China

major figures: St. Francis de Sales 1567-1622

4. The Age of Decline 1620-1680

Gregory XV 1621-23

Time of Thirty Years War

Urban VIII 1623-44

1633, Galileo forced to abandon Copernican system

major figures: St Vincent de Paul 1580-1660

Innocent X 1644-55

1654, Christina of Sweden converted to Catholicism

Alexander VII 1655-67

1656, supported liberal Jesuit position on Chinese ceremonies

Innocent XI 1676-1689.

Beatified. Greatest of seventeenth century popes.

major figures: St Margaret Mary Alacoque 1647-1690