“The response of the Catholic Church to the Reformation was successful.” Discuss.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that the response of the Catholic Church to the Reformation was successful. Candidates may refer to the results of the Council of Trent, the restructuring of the Catholic Church, the implementation of new and stricter regulations for religious orders and the establishment of the Jesuits. Candidates may consider these policies as a success since they controlled the behaviour of monks and priests, reaffirmed papal authority and were able to ratify and expand the Catholic dogma through missions. Other relevant factors may be addressed, for example the creation of the Roman Inquisition and the List of Prohibited Books to limit the spread of Protestantism. Candidates may challenge the statement by considering the limited application of some of the new policies or the limited success of the Roman Inquisition. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that the response of the Catholic Church to the Reformation was successful.