Anniversary of the Heidelberg Catechism and the Council of Trent coming up in 2013

19-01-2012

Heideberg Catechism and the Council of Trent
On January 19, 1563, Elector Frederick III Palatine wrote the preface to the Heidelberg Catechism. Later that month, in the German City of Heidelberg, it was published. The book spread rapidly through Europe and the entire globe greatly affecting Reformed Protestantism, particularly in the Netherlands.

In 1563, the Council of Trent came to conclusions aimed at the Catholic Church calling for internal reform, while it also delineated from doctrines and religious practices of Protestants. The influences of Trent went further than this however, the decisions of the council profoundly changed art, culture, and society in Europe and the rest of the world.

Activities and Products
Various partners in international Refo500 platform, which concerns the Protestant and Catholic Reformaions, are paying special attention to both anniversaries of 2013. Much planning is currently under way.

Activities will start January 18 and 19, 2013 with conferences on the Heidelberg Catechism in Gouda and Hamilton (USA). Later in the year, academic conferences will be held at the Theological University Apeldoorn (Catechism) and the Catholic University Leuven (Council of Trent). There are no less than seven exhibitions being prepared namely: Trier, Klooster Ter Apel, Vesting Bourtange, Apeldoorn and Heidelberg. There is also preparation for a traveling exhibition featuring the Heidelberg Catechism for church congregations of the Netherlands.

Furthermore, an academic handbook will be publishing the Heidelberg Catechism involving the cooperation of Refo500 partners in the Netherlands, Germany, and America. Trips to Heidelberg are being developed by partners in the US and the Netherlands and plans are being made to hold concerts in such places as Dordrecht.

Herman Selderhuis, director of all Refo500 activities says this: “It is quite unique that these two moments of the sixteenth century have been so influential, yet so versatile standing in the spotlight.”