The Sacrifice of the Mass and the Redefinition of Catholic Orthodoxy during the French Wars of Religion

摘要

Before the outbreak of the French Wars of Religion, there was internal disagreement over whether the Church should concede points of theology to Protestantism for the sake of concord. Charles de Guise, cardinal de Lorraine, sought a compromise with Lutherans in the Holy Roman Empire and was prepared to forgo the sacrificial aspect of the Mass shortly before attending the Council of Trent. This coincided with the crown's policy of conciliation, but also drew on contemporary understanding of the sacrifice of the Mass among French Catholics. The cardinal de Lorraine eventually rallied to the Council of Trent's pronouncements, relinquishing former hopes of reaching a compromise with Protestant theologians. This required, in turn, an adjustment on the part of those whose theology had been compatible with a Lutheran understanding of the Eucharist. Ironically, those who had been in dialogue with Protestants were better placed to refute their propositions than intransigents who had refused all contact with heresy. The former participated in the redefinition of Catholic orthodoxy and drew confessional battle lines just as the French Wars of Religion were beginning.