The Council of Trent

Outline:

A.  Paul III is elected pope; reforms his diocese of Rome; calls the failed council of Mantua

B.   Trent:  Assembly I. 

            The question of Scripture.  The Church is the Church of the Book and the Book is the Book of the Church. 

            The question of Original Sin.  Man is deprived, but not depraved. 

            A reaffirmation of the Seven Sacraments

            Disciplinary issues

C.  Trent:  Assembly II.

            Eucharist, Penance, Extreme Unction

D.  Trent:   Assembly III.  Bishops form into national blocks.  I sent my bishops off to the Council and they came back parish priests.

            Episcopal residencies.  The source of a bishop’s authority is grounded in divine right or by ecclesiastical law?  The role of the apostolic mandate.

            In either species of bread or wine, the whole of Christ’s body and divinity are contained.

            The Mass is a sacrifice.  Disagree?  Anathama sit.

            Session 23 & 24:  Orders, seminaries and celibacy

E.  In the last days of the council:  purgatory; efficacy of prayer; indulgences.  Index of Forbidden Books.  Catechism.  Missals.  Breviaries.

 Questions to Consider:

1.  How did the objectives of King Francis I of France and Emperor Charles V differ regarding a council?

2.  How did Trent:  Assembly I address the questions of sola scriptura, predestination and seven sacraments?

3.  What does Trent say about the Mass being a sacrifice?

4.  What does Trent say about clerical celibacy?  How does it express the important symbol of the relationship between Christ and His Church?