Episode 48 - The Counter-Reformation

Last episode, we looked at the Reformation spreading out of Germany, and into other parts of Northern Europe, particularly looking at how England was affected.  One of the side effects of the north part of Europe leaving the Catholic Church was that Catholic Church itself was also forced to change.  The Catholic Church needed to take a hard look at itself, and decide how to go forward.  That process was called the Counter Reformation.  At least, that’s what the Protestants called it.  The Catholic Church usually calls it the Catholic Reformation.  I’m going to call it the Counter Reformation, because that feels accurate to me, because it does really seem that the Catholic Church was reacting to the challenges of the Reformation.