Trent: What Happened at the Council
by John W. O'Malley
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Description
The Council of Trent (1545-1563), the Catholic Church's attempt to put its house in order in response to the Protestant Reformation, has long been praised and blamed for things it never did. Now, in this first full one-volume history in modern times, John W. O'Malley brings to life the volatile issues that pushed several Holy Roman emperors, kings and queens of France, and five popes-and all of Europe with them-repeatedly to the brink of disaster. During the council's eighteen years, war and show more threat of war among the key players, as well as the Ottoman Turks' onslaught against Christendom, turned the council into a perilous enterprise. Its leaders declined to make a pronouncement on war against infidels, but Trent's most glaring and ironic silence was on the authority of the papacy itself. The popes, who reigned as Italian monarchs while serving as pastors, did everything in their power to keep papal reform out of the council's hands-and their power was considerable. O'Malley shows how the council pursued its contentious parallel agenda of reforming the Church while simultaneously asserting Catholic doctrine. Like What Happened at Vatican II, O'Malley's Trent: What Happened at the Council strips mythology from historical truth while providing a clear, concise, and fascinating account of a pivotal episode in Church history. In celebration of the 450th anniversary of the council's closing, it sets the record straight about the much misunderstood failures and achievements of this critical moment in European history. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
The book is excellent. It paints a picture of a fragmented Europe, making it clear why the efforts to reunify the church were unrealistic. The epilogue is important, and if you get bogged down in the details of the endless discussions and disagreements, at least read that. It clarifies the relationship between the council itself and the subsequent history of the Roman Catholic church.
BTW O'Malley does a magnificent job of helping the reader through the discussions. I did not get bogged down.
BTW O'Malley does a magnificent job of helping the reader through the discussions. I did not get bogged down.
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Nov 9, 2022Catalan
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Author Information
45+ Works 1,633 Members
John W. O'Malley is University Professor at Georgetown University. He is the author of many highly acclaimed books on the history of the Catholic Church, including The First Jesuits, A History of the Popes, What Happened at Vatican II, and Trent, winner of the Philip Schaff Prize and the John Gilmary Prize.
Awards and Honors
Common Knowledge
- People/Characters
- Reginald Pole, Archbishop of Canterbury; Pope Pius V
- Important events
- Council of Trent
Classifications
- Genres
- Religion & Spirituality, Nonfiction, History, General Nonfiction
- DDC/MDS
- 262.52 — Religion Christian organization, social work & worship Ecclesiology General or ecumenic council Ecumenical councils of the Roman Catholic Church
- LCC
- BX830 — Philosophy, Psychology and Religion Christian Denominations Christian Denominations Catholic Church Periodicals. Societies, councils, congresses, etc.
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 214
- Popularity
- 153,253
- Reviews
- 2
- Rating
- (4.25)
- Languages
- English, Spanish
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 4
- ASINs
- 1
