Catholic Reformation And Renewal

The history of 15th to18th century is acknowledged by the scholars of history the timesof transition of the Western Civilization. In this period, the Western Civilization completedthe transition from Middle Ages to the early modern society. During the course of thistransition, deep changes happened in western society. Maybe it is the strongest impressionfelt by all the scholars who study this times' history. The changes can be found in politics,economy and culture, all in all, in all the aspects of this society. As the result, all theinstitutes and people with any kind of identity or stratum, in Western society were affected.The Catholic Church is affected by the changes too. As the only institute survivedfrom the ancient Roman culture, the Church felt this strong impact deeply and widely. Thechurch must make response, to choose to vanish or survive in this society. Facing thechallenge, Church chose to make itself adapt to the changed and changing world. To makethis object realized, the church begins to refashion itself, which is the reform of itself "fromReligion to Sacraments, head and members". In the course of the catholic reform, in 1517,the protestant reformation launched by a friar of Augustine monastery in the Holy RomanEmpire happened. Facing the challenge and the threat of the new faith, the reform of theCatholic Church accelerated.As all the adjustments adapted to the different changing times or circumstances inChurch's history, it not only survived but also became more lively and energetic. As onecomponent of the society, during the course of its reform, it is refashioned by this world,and at the same time it refashioned this world. This can be felt during its reform and afterits reform, especially the latter is obvious. Whatever how we mean about reform, the effectof the reform and the reformed church can be felt in the native land, Europe, as well as inthe world. That is the huge lands of America, Africa and Asia. In this sense, the churchplayed an important role in the formation of "the real world history."...