Final answer:
The Catholic response to the Reformation through the Counter-Reformation led to internal church reforms, the creation of new religious orders, and efforts to curb clerical excesses. However, it was only partially effective in stopping the spread of Protestantism, as Europe continued to witness a steady growth in Protestant followers and experienced numerous religious conflicts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The effectiveness of the Catholic response to the Reformation, also known as the Counter-Reformation, can be evaluated in various ways. While new religious orders such as the Jesuits were founded and were successful in revitalizing the Catholic faith and promoting its expansion across continents, the overall response did not entirely halt the spread of Protestantism. In fact, despite efforts through the Council of Trent and other reforms, the new Protestant churches continued to gain followers. The Catholic Church's prohibitions against the sale of indulgences, appointment of relatives to church offices, and extravagant lifestyles of clergy, while positive steps, were not sufficient to prevent the schism that the Protestant Reformation caused. The period also saw the eruption of numerous religious wars, highlighting the passionate, sometimes violent division between the two sides of Christianity.
In terms of structural reforms, the Counter-Reformation included a significant overhaul of the Church's governance. However, the impact of the Counter-Reformation was mixed. While it strengthened the Roman Catholic Church in certain areas, it proved ineffective in reconciling with Protestants or fully stemming the tide of religious change sweeping across Europe. Hence, the Catholic response was effective in reforming the church internally but had limited effectiveness in stopping the growth of Protestantism.
The Counter-Reformation, while promising on paper, could not entirely counterbalance the profound effects of the Protestant Reformation, which had a lasting impact on the religious, cultural, and political landscape of Europe. Artists like Michelangelo and Titian, among others, were influenced by these transformations, as were intellectual fields that fostered a spirit of Humanism during this period of increased Greek cultural contact.