The Reform of Catholicism

Guy Bedouelle's Reform of Catholicism, 1480-1620, introduces nuances to earlier books on this subject by demonstrating how reform within the Roman Church owed much to a ferment and coordination of action emanating from its traditional geographic and jurisdictional centre, Rome. But, after showing how the Council of Trent legislated reform in the Church and empowered structures to carry it out, Bedouelle also highlights the actions of dedicated men and women that brought about a renewed spirit in the Church and in society - a 'Catholicism' which, at least in some aspects, paralleled the way other Christians constituted a 'Lutheranism,' a 'Calvinism,' or an 'Anglicanism.'