The History of Buddhist Thought c31.101

c31.101

The Council of Trent, which had been suspended in 1552, was reopened in 1562. The Pope, Pius IV, was anxious to bring it to a conclusion, and the legates were instructed to press for a speedy termination. The main business was to define the doctrine of the Church in opposition to the Protestants, and to reform the discipline of the clergy. The decrees on the sacraments, the sacrifice of the Mass, and the invocation of saints were passed without much difficulty. The question of the residence of bishops, which had caused so much trouble in the earlier sessions, was again raised, but it was finally settled by a compromise which satisfied both parties. The Council was brought to a close in December 1563, and its decrees were confirmed by the Pope in the following month.