How did the Catholic Church curb the spread of Protestantism?

The Catholic Church curbed the spread of Protestantism through the Counter-Reformation, which included reforms, new orders, and Inquisitions.

The Counter-Reformation, also known as the Catholic Reformation, was the Church's response to the spread of Protestantism in the 16th century. It was a period of Catholic resurgence initiated in response to the Protestant Reformation, beginning with the Council of Trent (1545–1563) and ending at the close of the Thirty Years' War (1648). The Counter-Reformation was a comprehensive effort composed of five major elements: doctrinal, organisational, spiritual, moral, and defensive.

Doctrinally, the Church clarified and reaffirmed Catholic teachings to counter Protestant theology. The Council of Trent was a key event in this process. It was an assembly of bishops, cardinals, and theologians who met over a period of 18 years to discuss and define Catholic doctrine. The Council clarified the Church's teachings on key issues such as the nature of the Eucharist, the role of the clergy, and the importance of the sacraments, which were all points of contention with Protestantism.

Organisationally, the Church sought to improve the education and discipline of the clergy to prevent corruption and abuses, which had been a major cause of the Reformation. New religious orders, such as the Jesuits, were founded to support the Church's mission. The Jesuits, in particular, played a crucial role in the Counter-Reformation. They established schools throughout Europe, promoting Catholic education and combating Protestantism through teaching.

Spiritually, the Church promoted a renewed piety and devotion among the faithful. This was achieved through the promotion of mysticism, the veneration of saints, and the use of visual arts to inspire faith. The Church also encouraged the faithful to participate in pilgrimages, processions, and other devotional practices.

Morally, the Church implemented reforms to address the corruption and immorality within the clergy, which had been a significant factor in the Protestant Reformation. This included stricter enforcement of celibacy and the establishment of seminaries for the proper training of priests.

Defensively, the Church used the Inquisition to suppress heresy and dissent. The Roman Inquisition, established in 1542, was particularly focused on combating Protestantism. It used a variety of methods, including censorship, banishment, and even execution, to suppress the spread of Protestant ideas.

Through these measures, the Catholic Church was able