from the Catholic Encyclopedia
The term Counter-Reformation denotes the period of Catholic revival from the pontificate of Pope Pius IV in 1560 to the close of the Thirty Years' War, 1648. The name, though long in use among Protestant historians, has only recently been introduced into Catholic handbooks. The consequence is that it already has a meaning and an application, for which a word with a different nuance should perhaps have been chosen. For in the first place the name suggests that the Catholic movement came after the Protestant; whereas in truth the reform originally began in the Catholic Church, and Luther was a Catholic Reformer before he became a Protestant. By becoming a Protestant Reformer, he did indeed hinder the progress of the Catholic reformation, but he did not stop it.
from A Catholic Dictionary, edited by Donald Attwater, Second edition, revised 1957
The Counter-Reformation is the name given to the Catholic movement of reform and activity which lasted for about one hundred years from the beginning of the Council of Trent (q.v., 1545), and was the belated answer to the threatening confusion and increasing attacks of the previous years. It was the work principally of the Popes St. Pius V and Gregory XIII and the Council itself in the sphere of authority, of SS. Philip Neri and Charles Borromeo in the reform of the clergy and of life, of St. Ignatius and the Jesuits in apostolic activity of St. Francis Xavier in foreign missions, and of St. Teresa in the purely contemplative life which lies behind them all. But these were not the only names nor was it a movement of a few only; the whole Church emerged from the 15th century purified and revivified. On the other hand, it was a reformation rather than a restoration; the unity of western Christendom was destroyed; the Church militant (those still on earth) led by the Company of Jesus adopted offence as the best means of defence and, though she gained as much as she lost in some sense, the Church did not recover the exercise of her former spiritual supremacy in actuality.
from Modern Catholic Dictionary by John A. Hardon, S.J. Doubleday & Co., Inc. Garden City, NY 1980
A period of Catholic revival from 1522 to about 1648, better know as the Catholic Reform. It was an effort to stem the tide of Protestantism by genuine reform within the Catholic Church. There were political movements pressured by civil rules, and ecclesiastical movements carried out by churchmen in an attempt to restore genuine Catholic life by establishing new religious orders such as the Society of Jesus and restoring old orders to their original observances, such as the Carmelites under St. Teresa of Avila (1515-98). The main factors responsible for the Counter Reformation, however, were the papacy and the council of Trent (1545-63). Among church leaders St. Charles Borromeo (1538-84), Archbishop of Milan, enforced the reforms decreed by the council, and St. Francis de Sales of Geneva (1567-1622) spent his best energies in restoring genuine Catholic doctrine and piety. Among civil rulers sponsoring the needed reform were Philip II of Spain (1527-98) and Mary Tudor (1516-58), his wife, in England. Unfortunately this aspect of the reformation led to embitterment between England and Scotland, England and Spain, Poland and Sweden, and to almost two centuries of religious wars. As a result of the Counter Reformation, the Catholic Church became stronger in her institutional structure, more dedicated to the work of evangelization, and more influential in world affairs.
Two differences between the Reformation and the Counter-Reformation are their goals: the Reformation aimed to reform the Catholic Church and break away from it, while the Counter-Reformation sought to reform the Catholic Church from within. Similarly, the Reformation focused on individual interpretation of scripture, while the Counter-Reformation emphasized the authority of the Pope and Church teachings. One similarity is that both movements led to significant changes in the practice and theology of Christianity. Another similarity is that both the Reformation and the Counter-Reformation spurred intellectual and cultural developments in Europe.
The Lutheran Reformation kept two of the seven doctrines of the Catholic church; The Lord's Supper and Baptism. Luther also reorganized the church service by replacing The Mass with vernacular liturgy.
If you mean: "......in reaction to ther Reformation movement started by Luther and Calvin", the answer is that the name is the Counter-Reformation, started by the Roman Catholic Council of Trent, held between 1545 and 1563.
The Council of Trent, held between 1545 and 1563, was the meeting that resolved doctrinal questions and provided direction and unity for the Catholic Church during the Counter Reformation. This council addressed issues such as corruption, abuses, and theological challenges raised by the Protestant Reformation, reaffirming key Catholic teachings and practices.
The difference between them is that the Catholic Reformation was the response to the Protestant Reformation. The Protestanst accused the Catholic Church of indulgences (paying for your sins to essentially be erased), being able to pay for your religious post, and to be able to have more than one post at a time, and many other scandals. Martin Luther nailed his 95 Thesis to the Church door in Wittenberg and from then, the Protestant Reformation started and eventually, the Church held the Council of Trent, whose goal was to purify the Church. The Jesuits were formed from the Catholic Reformation. The Jesuits were formed by St. Ignatius of Loyola and they converted people to Catholicism. They were considered one of the bright lights of the Catholic Reformation.
The Counter-Reformation, a Catholic response to the Protestant Reformation, significantly influenced the Baroque period, which emerged in the late 16th century. The Catholic Church sought to reaffirm its authority and attract followers through art and architecture that conveyed emotional intensity, grandeur, and spiritual engagement. Baroque art and architecture, characterized by dramatic use of light, movement, and elaborate detail, were employed to inspire devotion and communicate religious themes effectively. Thus, the Baroque style served as a powerful tool for the Counter-Reformation's objectives.
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A reformation is a violent overthrow of the government, and a reformation is where the government changes peacefully.
sought to address the challenges posed by Protestantism and reform the Catholic Church from within. The Counter-Reformation involved a series of reforms initiated by the Council of Trent, which clarified Catholic doctrine, reformed clerical practices, and reaffirmed the importance of tradition and the sacraments. Additionally, the Catholic Church strengthened its missionary efforts and used art and education to renew faith among believers. This movement aimed to reclaim lost followers and solidify the Church's authority in the face of Protestant challenges.
The Reformation in England stemmed from a difference of opinion between King Henry VIII and the Catholic Church, particularly regarding the Pope's authority and the annulment of Henry's marriage to Catherine of Aragon. Henry's desire for a male heir and his infatuation with Anne Boleyn led him to break away from the Roman Catholic Church, establishing the Church of England. This shift was further fueled by growing Protestant sentiments and calls for religious reform across Europe. Ultimately, the English Reformation was as much about political power as it was about theological differences.
Martin Luther's reformation caused Anglicanism to arise in England. The reformers also accelerated the development of the Catholic Counter-Reformation of the Catholic Church. Wars between princes & peasant uprisings developed. Luther's message of salvation through the unmerited grace of God was not readily accepted by the Roman Catholic Church, however, his message resonated with those in Europe who sought reform in the Roman Catholic Church.
It was split between Catholics and Protestants.