Pontifical Irish College : Ireland and Italy
The Counter-Reformation, Council of Trent (1545-63), an ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church, held three sessions in Trento, Italy. Part of its recommendations was for seminaries to be established for the training and education of aspirants to the priesthood. Their aim was to provide a Catholic clerical elite who would spearhead the Counter-Reformation in Ireland. The first Irish college was founded under the patronage of Philip II at Salamanca in 1592. In 1611 twelve Irish Colleges existed in…
