Tridentine Reform of the Catholic Church

Timeline

1. 1545–1547Trent · ItalyPope Paul III convened an ecumenical council at Trent to discuss doctrinal clarification and reform of church discipline; the first period was suspended in 1547 due to plague and political factors.
2. 1551–1563Trent · ItalyThe council reopened in 1551–1552 and 1562–1563, issuing authoritative definitions on originality sin, the sacraments, Scripture and tradition, and the clerical orders, while condemning several Protestant doctrinal positions.
3. 1564–1570Rome · ItalyPope Pius IV approved the Tridentine Profession of Faith, revised the Roman Missal and breviary, established the Roman seminary model, and strengthened requirements for resident bishops and the education of the clergy.
4. 1571–1580Catholic regions of Europe · EuropeIn 1570 the pope promulgated the Roman Missal; national episcopal conferences and religious orders such as the Jesuits implemented Tridentine decrees, and diocesan visitation, seminary, and catechism systems operated institutionally in Spain, Italy, Poland, and elsewhere.