Papacy Reform

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There were many problems associated with the Papacy at the time of the reformation. This was what reformists like Luther, Calvin, and Zwingli used to fight the Catholic Church; it was the basis of their arguments. For example, the clergy was not all it was cut out to be. Most priests of this time period had kids or wife, which was supposed to not be allowed. Furthermore, Nepotism and Simony was not unusual to see, which was completely unfair to the average layman who wanted to be a priest. People would be buying places in the church, and it is unjust to simply make the highest bidder a priest. Also, once this ill-suited person got into the church, their family would have a higher chance to get in. In fact, it was usual to see the newly-elected …show more content…
First, it launched the Counter-reformation, which was centered around converting people bad into Catholics. The Jesuits, which were basically glorified missionaries, went all over Europe converting people. They were organized by Ignatius Loyola, an active part of the Catholic church. Additionally, he created the Spiritual Exercises, which was a program which would lead to spiritual self-mastery, through religious and moral self-discipline. The Jesuits all finished this program and were devoted to converting people back to the Catholic Church. Other than the Jesuits, the priests, and other clergy members, were advised to preach about the church. To add, in another document Loyola wrote, he describes the rules for thinking with the church (The Spiritual Exercises). This set of 17 rules highlighted the highest point of Catholicism, as to try to convert people back to the Catholic church. Although the set of rules does not specifically name or accused Protestantism in any way, it has some ways of subtextually condemning prostatism. For example, rule 16 is a clear threat to Lutherans, for one of their main beliefs is faith alone (Doc: The Spiritual Exercises). This rule states that faith should not be talked about, because some people might be getting lazy with the works that would get them to heaven. He is basically saying that Lutherans are wrong, and to get to heaven one must have faith and do righteous works. Also, rule 16 is directed to Calvinists, for he stated that predestination should also not be spoken of (Doc: The Spiritual Exercises). This is the core belief of Calvinism, and Loyola is advising his readers that it is wrong. This set of rules highlighted the best parts of the church, while also trying to prove Protestantism wrong. This was the most effective way of converting people back to Catholicism. The Counter-Reformation was meant to do
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