1. The Catholic Church established the Inquisition, a series of institutions and tribunals tasked with identifying and punishing heresy. The Inquisition often used harsh measures, such as torture and execution, to suppress dissent and deter individuals from converting to Protestantism.
2. The Catholic Church also sought to counter the influence of Protestant teachings by promoting the Counter-Reformation. This movement within the church emphasized traditional Catholic teachings, initiated reforms within the church itself, and worked to reclaim regions and populations that had converted to Protestantism. Additionally, the Council of Trent was convened during the Counter-Reformation to address theological and disciplinary issues, reaffirm Catholic teachings, and establish a unified response to the Protestant Reformation.