Question

Eventually, the Roman Church decided to pursue two major lines of counterattack against ___: a thorough examination of doctrines and practices---such as had not been attempted for more than one thousand years---combined with an entirely novel emphasis on the instruction of the young and education of all Christians in the precepts of their religion. What is this known as?

Answer 1

The Counter-Reformation was the Catholic Church's response to the challenges posed by the Protestant Reformation. It involved doctrinal examination, structural reforms, the establishment of new religious orders, and emphasized the education of clergy and laity in Catholic doctrines.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Counter-Reformation, also referred to as the Catholic Reformation or Catholic Revival, began with the Council of Trent in 1545 and was concluded at the end of the Thirty Years' War in 1648. This movement was the Catholic Church's response to the challenges posed by the Protestant Reformation, spearheaded by figures such as Martin Luther. The Counter-Reformation aimed to address internal corruption, affirm and clarify Catholic doctrines, and improve the education of the clergy and the laity.

The reformist efforts included foundational changes to the church's structure, like the establishment of seminaries, reforming religious orders to return to their spiritual roots, and introducing new religious orders like the Jesuits. Spiritual movements that fostered a personal connection to Christ also gained prominence. Additionally, political activities such as the Roman Inquisition were part of this comprehensive effort.

One of the key objectives of the Counter-Reformation was to educate the young and all Christians in the precepts of their religion. This was achieved through a renewed focus on education, ensuring the young were taught and understood the doctrines of the Catholic faith, presumably to stem the tide of conversions to Protestantism and to reinforce the Catholic Church's foundation among future generations.