Christian Cyclopedia

(Lat. Tridentinum). Regarded as 19th ecumenical council by RCs (see also Councils and Synods, 4). Met in 3 periods at Trent (It. Trento; Ger. Trient; ancient Tridenturn), NE It.

Sess. 1–10; December 13, 1545–September 1547; under Paul* III; transferred to Bologna March 1547 because of plague.

Sess. 11–16; May 1, 1551–April 28, 1552; under Julius* III; at Trent; &Prots.; having been granted an improved safe–conduct, ambassadors and theologians of several estates (Brandenburg, Württemberg, Strasbourg) attended.

Sess. 17–25; January 18, 1562–December 4, 1563; under Pius* IV.

Issued a number of decrees, e.g., on the canonical Scriptures (see also Apocrypha, B 4; Tradition), original sin, justification, sacraments, purgatory, indulgences.

Enacted various reforms, e.g., regarding educ. of clerics, conferring of benefices, administration of property.

See also Andrada, Diego de Paiva de; Bible Versions, J 2; Billick, Eberhard; Chemnitz, Martin; Celibacy; Counter Reformation, 12; Interim, II; Roman Catholic Church, The, B 2–5; Roman Catholic Confessions, A; “Stabat mater”; Tempus clausum; Thou, Jacques Auguste de.