Which heresy was particularly targeted by the Council of Trent in the 16th century?

The Council of Trent, convened from 1545 to 1563, was a pivotal ecumenical council of the Catholic Church that addressed various theological controversies arising during the Reformation. One of the key issues at the time was the rise of Protestantism, which encompassed a range of beliefs that departed from traditional Catholic doctrine.

The Council was convened specifically to respond to the challenges posed by Protestant reformers, such as Martin Luther and John Calvin, who questioned many aspects of Catholic teaching, including the nature of salvation, the authority of Scripture versus tradition, and practices like indulgences.

At Trent, the Church sought to clarify its doctrines and reform practices in order to counteract the influence of Protestant movements. This included affirmations of key beliefs like the importance of both faith and works for salvation, the legitimacy of sacraments, and the role of tradition alongside Scripture.

Therefore, the focus of the Council of Trent was particularly aimed at addressing Protestantism, making it a defining moment in the Catholic Reformation as it sought to assert the Church's authority and doctrinal positions in the face of the Protestant challenge.