Trent
A city in the valley of the Adige on the road between Italy and Germany. Paul III chose it for the general council that sat there, with interruptions, from 1545 to 1563.
Trent lies in the Alpine valley of the Adige. In the bull that summoned the council Paul III says that he would have preferred a city further into Italy but chose Trent because the Germans wished for it, as a place that bishops could reach easily from Germany and the neighbouring nations (Council of Trent Bull of indiction (22 May 1542)). In March 1547 the council voted to move to Bologna because of disease in the city (Council of Trent Session 8); it resumed at Trent in May 1551 (Council of Trent Session 11) and closed there on 4 December 1563 (Council of Trent Session 25, on the close of the council). See the Council of Trent.
What happened here
- 1545 to 1563, firm dateThe Council of Trent
In twenty-five sessions spread over eighteen years, the Catholic bishops assembled at Trent define their church’s teaching on Scripture and tradition, justification and the sacraments, and decree a reform of the clergy.
Primary sources
The Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent
- Council of Trent Bull of indiction (22 May 1542)papalencyclicals.net
- Council of Trent Session 8papalencyclicals.net
- Council of Trent Session 11papalencyclicals.net
- Council of Trent Session 25, on the close of the councilpapalencyclicals.net