what was the counter reformation

The Counter-Reformation, also known as the Catholic Reformation, was a period of Catholic resurgence initiated in response to the Protestant Reformations. It began with the Council of Trent (1545–1563) and largely ended with the conclusion of the European wars of religion in 1648. The Counter-Reformation involved comprehensive efforts such as apologetic and polemical documents, heresy trials, anti-corruption endeavors, spiritual movements, the founding of new religious orders, and the flourishing of new art and music. It aimed to oppose the Protestant Reformation and reform the Catholic Church, addressing challenges to the sacraments and pious practices attacked by the Protestant reformers. The Counter-Reformation also saw the establishment of the Roman Inquisition in 1542 to control heresy within Catholic territories and the missionary work of the Jesuits under St. Ignatius of Loyola aimed at conversion or reconversion. The main focus of the Counter-Reformation was the establishment of the concept of ultimate, objective truth