Church Matters: Retrieving the Great Tradition

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Chur ch Mat ter s : Ret r i ev i ng the Great Trad i t i on

c. Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556), founder of the Jesuits (when he died, the society had 1,000 members administering 100 foundations; a century later, 15,000 Jesuits and 500 foundations)

d. The Society of Jesus (1540) made up of reformed priests committed to living among the faithful in mission and service; ministered to the poor, were involved in education, evangelized indigenous peoples (e.g., The Mission )

2. The Inquisition: established in 1542 by Pope Paul III to suppress Lutheranism in Italy; reached its peak during Pius V (1566-72)

3. Pope Paul IV’s administrative and religious reforms, ongoing prosecution of the Inquisition, along with the Index ; directed that heretics be dealt with most severely “for on their punishment, the salvation of the classes beneath them depends.”

4. The Council of Trent: 18-year process leading to a comprehensive rethinking and reaffirmation of essential RCC doctrine and tradition

a. Dioceses expanded and multiplied

b. Bishops became more hands-on in dioceses.

c. More seminaries were established for training priests

d. Number of church buildings multiplied