Even before Martin Luther was criticising the Catholic Church, the Dutch humanist Erasmus also formulated his ideas about church reforms. His famous work The Praise of Folly is a satire in which he pleads for a new Christian faith, based on the Bible and the classics. However, contrary to Martin Luther, Erasmus tried to create a movement of reform within the Catholic Church.
Counter-Reformation
After the Protestant Reformation the Catholic Church continued to reform itself. Pope Paul III called together a council with bishops from all over Europe in Trent; the Council of Trent (1534-1549). These bishops came together to make a new definition of the Catholic belief. The reforms that were created at this council are often called the Counter-Reformation. Another important role in the Counter-Reformation was played by the new Catholic orders that were established. The best-known was the order of the Jesuits. They were very influential, especially because they founded schools and provided education throughout Europe.