Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A major ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church: The Council of Trent was a formal meeting of high-ranking church officials, convened in the city of Trento (now in Italy) in three main sessions between 1545 and 1563. It was a central event of the Counter-Reformation, initiated to respond to the Protestant Reformation.

Usage

• The term is used as a proper noun to refer to this specific historical event and its resulting decrees. It is often discussed in historical, theological, and religious studies contexts.
• Example: The doctrinal definitions established by the Council of Trent shaped Catholic practice for centuries.
• Example: Historians study the Council of Trent to understand the Catholic Church's response to Protestantism.

Advanced Usage

• "The decrees of the Council of Trent": Refers to the official doctrines and disciplinary canons issued by the council.
  • The decrees of the Council of Trent clarified the Church's position on scripture and tradition.
• "Post-Tridentine": An adjective describing the period, theology, or liturgy of the Catholic Church after the Council of Trent.
  • Post-Tridentine architecture often reflects the clarity and solemnity advocated by the council.

Variants and Related Words

• Tridentine (adj): Pertaining to the Council of Trent or its doctrines, especially in reference to the traditional Latin Mass as codified by it.
  • The Tridentine Mass was the standard form of the Roman Rite for 400 years.
• Counter-Reformation (n): The period of Catholic revival and reform, of which the Council of Trent was a central part.

Synonyms

• Ecumenical Council (specifically, the 19th such council recognized by the Catholic Church).

Related Phrases

• "To convene a council": To call together an official ecclesiastical meeting. The Council of Trent was convened by Pope Paul III.
• "Doctrinal reform": A change or clarification in religious teachings, a primary goal of the Council of Trent.

Noun

1. a council of the Roman Catholic Church convened in Trento in three sessions between 1545 and 1563 to examine and condemn the teachings of Martin Luther and other Protestant reformers; redefined the Roman Catholic doctrine and abolished various ecclesiastical abuses and strengthened the papacy