Rev. H.J. Schroeder O.P.

The Council of Trent, held in the sixteenth century, was one of the Church's most important Ecumenical Councils. It was presided over by Popes Paul III, Julius III, and Pius IV. The Council played a major role in the Counter-Reformation against Martin Luther's principles and was itself a significant reform conference. Its main objectives were to condemn the doctrines of Protestantism, effect a reformation in the Church's discipline, make known the fact that the Church's interpretation of Scripture is final, and define the relationship of faith and works in relation to salvation. Also an important point of discussion was the Real Presence and sacrificial nature of the Eucharist. The Council of Trent convened in 1545 and ended in 1563.