Catholic Church's response to the Protestant Reformation is known as what?

• A. Counter-Reformation
• B. Reformation
• C. Protestant Revival
• D. Spiritual Renewal

Answer: (A)

Counter-Reformation is the Catholic Church’s response to the challenges raised by the Protestant Reformation. After Luther and others criticized abuses and questioned Catholic doctrine, the Church moved to reform from within and to reaffirm its teachings. A pivotal moment was the Council of Trent (1545–1563), where Catholic doctrine on key points like the sacraments, justification, and church authority was clarified, and abuses in priestly life and administration were addressed. Reforms extended to education and discipline of clergy, with seminary training becoming standard, and to renewed missionary activity, notably through the Jesuits, who spread Catholic teaching and reinforced Catholic identity abroad. Instruments like the Inquisition and the Index of Forbidden Books were used to curb heresy and limit Protestant influence. This combination of doctrinal reaffirmation, internal reform, and renewed missionary work defines the Catholic response to the Reformation.