Council of Cologne (1545)

The Council of Cologne, held in 1545, was a significant meeting of Catholic Church leaders, aimed at addressing the challenges posed by the Protestant Reformation. Gathering bishops and scholars, the council sought to clarify church doctrines, reform practices, and strengthen Catholic unity against the growing influence of Protestant groups. It emphasized the importance of tradition, sacraments, and the authority of the Pope, while also promoting moral and administrative reforms within the Church. This council laid the groundwork for the later and more influential Council of Trent, which would further shape Catholic response to Protestantism and guide the direction of the Church.