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Réforme et Contre-réforme

During the 16th Century, Switzerland was plunged into the Reformation – it being the second centre after Germany – and the advent of Protestantism dramatically changed the country. From as early as 1521 in Zurich, Swiss Priest Ulrich Zwingli (even more radical than Martin Luther) preached the new form of Christianity. Owing to his efforts, the Mass was abolished in 1525. While Berne, Basel, Schaffhouse, Mulhouse, Biel/Bienne, Saint Gall, parts of Glarus, Appenzell and the Grisons joined the Reformation, it was completely unsuccessful in the central part of Switzerland. At this time, the Cantons, divided along religious lines, clashed on the political issues which led to the two wars in Kappel. After the second peace in 1529, the inhabitants of Zurich launched another attack in 1531 but were defeated by the Catholics, with Zwingli meeting his end during the attacks.

Having been converted to the Reformation in 1533 and taken refuge in Switzerland from 1535, Frenchman Jean Calvin arrived in Geneva in 1536 at the request of another Frenchman Guillaume Farel. Farel was an itinerant pastor to the French speaking parts of Switzerland and had already seen the Cantons of Neuchâtel and Vaud cede to the Reformation in 1530 and 1532 respectively. Geneva’s turn came in 1536 and Jean Calvin, in his capacity as President of the Company of Pastors (he had no official political position) tried to set up a quasi- theocratic Protestantism, making Geneva a spiritual capital and city of refuge. Calvinism would later influence Reformed Churches all over the world. At the end of the 16th century, the Catholic Church tried to fight back and put in place the Counter-reformation through which it was able to regain some political weight, while the Protestants had the economic and demographic advantage.

D 8 octobre 2012    AJoëlle Sanchez

CNRS Unistra Dres Gsrl

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