What was the focus of the Council of Trent (1545-1563)?

The Council of Trent was primarily convened by the Catholic Church to address church reforms and counter the Protestant Reformation. This ecumenical council played a crucial role in the Catholic Counter-Reformation, responding directly to the challenges posed by Protestant movements.

During its sessions, the council affirmed key Catholic doctrines, reformed church practices, and set out to address issues such as clerical corruption, the education of priests, and the administration of sacraments. Importantly, it sought to clarify the Catholic Church's teachings in opposition to Protestant beliefs, emphasizing the importance of tradition, the authority of the Church, and the necessity of good works alongside faith for salvation.

While the council did touch on the establishment of new doctrines as a secondary aspect, its main goal was the comprehensive reform of the church and a unified response to Protestant critiques. The promotion of religious tolerance was not a focus of the council, as it aimed instead to reaffirm Catholic doctrine and counteract Protestant reformulation of beliefs. Thus, the emphasis on reform and counteraction of the Protestant Reformation highlights why the correct answer centers on addressing church reforms and responding to those challenges.