page_title: History of the Catholic Church in Spain
section_title: Counter Reformation
hierarchical_section_title: History of the Catholic Church in Spain / 16th century / Counter Reformation
caption_attribution_description: English: Closer view of central figures, Ecstasy of Saint Theresa Deutsch: Statue der Teresa von Ávila in mystischer Verzückung (Karmelitenkirche Santa Maria della Vittoria, Rom)
context_page_description: The Catholic Church in Spain has a long history, starting in the 1st century. It is the largest religion in Spain, with 71% of Spaniards identifying as Catholic.
  Attempts were made from the late 1st century to the late 3rd century to establish the church in the Iberian peninsula. Canons of the Synod of Elvira indicate that the church was greatly isolated from the general population even at that time. The situation of the Christians in Iberia improved with the advent of the Edict of Milan in 313 AD, after which Christians were more or less free to practice their religion openly within the Roman Empire. Over the course of the 4th century, the church built significant footholds particularly around Seville, Cordoba and Toledo.
context_section_description: The Counter Reformation was the effort of the Catholic Church to reform itself, rebuild its base of support, and fight off the Protestant threat. It was highly successful in Spain. John of Ávila (1499-1569) provided the Counter-Reformation with some of its most powerful strategies for social control. His writings on educational theory and practice involved a flexible strategy that focused on moral formation rather than the coercive regulation of behavior. He strongly supported the new Jesuit order. He helped rally support for the decrees of the Council of Trent, particularly those regarding the establishment of diocesan seminaries. 
  The characteristic Spanish religiosity at this time was expressed through mysticism. It was the means by which the intensely devout could move beyond the routine of good works and standard prayers to have a direct encounter with God. The outstanding exponent of mysticism was Teresa of Ávila (1515-1582), a Carmelite nun who was active in many different modes of religion, including organizing convents and new congregations, and developing the theology of the Counter Reformation in Spain that permanently minimized the Protestant influence there.
caption: The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa by Bernini
exif: {}