What was the movement to reform the Catholic Church called?

Answer 1

The religious movement in the 17th century attempting to reform the Catholic Church was the Catholic Reformation. It is often referred to as the Counter Reformation as well, because it was in response to the Protestant Reformation.

Answer 2

Oddly enough, The Reformation.

Roman Catholic AnswerThe movement to reform the Catholic Church is called The Counter-Reformation by protestant and secular scholars, although it is better known as the Catholic Reform.

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.

Answer 3

You are asking about two different things, or you are confused. What has been called the Counter-reformation by modern protestant scholars was actually the Catholic reform which started before Martin Luther left the Church and started the protestant revolt. It was the protestant revolt that started an "entirely different" Christian Church. But as Our Blessed Lord, Jesus Christ, emphatically said that His Church would be one until the end of time, and He sent the Holy Spirit to guide it into all truth, I would take exception to different "Christian" churches developing. To maintain that different Christian churches developed is to call God a liar who can't maintain His solemn promise to His people.

Answer 4

The Protestant Revolt, know by some as the Protestant Reformation.