Who Are the “Pre-Tridentine Catholics”?

“Pre-Tridentine Catholics” refers to those whose faith and practice are rooted in the catholic (universal) Christian teachings that existed prior to the Council of Trent’s redefinition of Christianity. Rather than embracing later dogmatic innovations, Pre-Tridentine Catholics adhere to the faith as it was understood before Trent imposed new dogmas on the church.

Are There Still Pre-Tridentine Catholics?

The Council of Trent began in 1545, bringing with it a concentrated effort to deny the catholicity of those adhered to the faith as confessed in Augsburg Confession in 1530. By 1545, the Augsburg Catholics had already solidified the core aspects of their confession and clearly demonstrate their solidarity with the universal Christian Church. These believers showed, convincingly, that they only sought to roll back the innovations added over the centuries by those who taught as dogma the imaginations of men rather than the Scriptural truths revealed by the Spirit of God.

There still exist those who faithfully uphold the Unaltered Augsburg Confession (U.A.C.). They align themselves with the broader universal church of the apostles and early fathers while resisting later doctrinal additions and especially the changes imposed on the Church at Trent.

Therefore, those Lutherans who hold to the Unaltered Augsburg Confession (U.A.C. Lutherans) fit within the category of Pre-Tridentine Catholics, even as they distinguish themselves from the unscriptural developments found in both “Protestantism” as well as Tridentine and post-Tridentine Roman Catholicism.

The Augsburg Confession: A Standard of Catholic Faith

Here’s a timeline of key documents that comprise the confessional standard of the Augsburg Catholics:

• Small Catechism of Martin Luther – 1529
• Large Catechism of Martin Luther – 1529
• Augsburg Confession – 1530
• Apology (Defense) of the Augsburg Confession – 1531
• Smalcald Articles – 1537
• Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope – 1537
• Epitome of the Formula of Concord – 1577
• Solid Declaration of the Formula of Concord – 1577

It’s important to note that the “Formula of Concord” (both the Epitome and the Solid Declaration) was primarily intended for clarification among those claiming to be “Evangelical Catholics” in “Concord” with each other. Their aim was not to highlight Roman errors.

It can be seen that, by the time Rome anathematized the Gospel and declared the Apostle Paul a heretic in Canon XII, Session 6 of the Council of Trent in 1547, all of the Lutheran documents critiquing false teachings within the Western Catholic Church had been in circulation for nearly two decades.

The Exclusion of Augsburg Catholics from Trent

Largely in response to the Augsburg Catholics, Rome’s institutional leaders at the See of St. Peter ensured that Martin Luther, the man whose work was central to the Reformation’s start, was dead before convening a council to discuss the issues he raised. They then actively excluded any representatives of the Augsburg Confession from participating in the Council, making it clear this was not to be a council for open debate.

Nevertheless, the Augsburg Catholics were firmly established by the time Rome attempted to redefine the faith at Trent. Later, likely emboldened by the council’s anathemas, Emperor Charles V sought to crush the “Evangelical Catholics” in the Smalcaldic War. By then, however, the faith of the Reformation had spread too widely to be destroyed by military force alone. Charles tried a different approach with the Augsburg Interim, an attempt to bring Protestant believers back under Rome’s authority.

Why Make This Distinction?

Many who identify as “Protestants,” and even the majority of those who today call themselves “Lutherans,” claim that Luther and those with him did not go far enough. They long ago left behind many of the foundational teachings of Christ and they have strayed far from the universal faith of the early Church as taught in the Scriptures and faithfully upheld within Christendom.

Yet, there do remain those who have not abandoned the Catholic Faith that Christ and the Apostles taught. There are many who continue to submit to the authority of Christ Jesus, the Church’s true Head, holding fast to the statements articulated at Augsburg and the later documents that comprise the CONCORDIA (Book of Concord).

The term “Pre-Tridentine Catholics of the Unaltered Augsburg Confession” helps distinguish these from those who have left behind critical aspects of Christ’s doctrine.

A Testament to God’s Faithfulness

The continued existence of these “Augsburg Catholics” is a testimony to God’s grace. We still hold to the faith of the early Reformers and stand firm in the face of challenges and assaults from the world, resisting the wolves predicted by St. Paul in Acts 20. Despite historical setbacks and the headwinds of culture and enlightenment ideologies, we have persevered. Today, these faithful believers are scattered across the world, bearing witness to the enduring truth of the Gospel and receiving Christ’s mercy and grace in the Holy Sacraments with devout piety.

Contrary to what G.K. Chesterton asserts, there do exist “Pre-Tridentine Catholics of the Unaltered Augsburg Confession.” And that fact is a powerful example of Christ’s own authority within the Church over which He is head. Their endurance is a testimony of Christ’s faithfulness to those whom He has made to be His own.

Where can I find Pre-Tridentine Catholics of the Unaltered Augsburg Confession?

In times such as these, it is both unwise and imprudent to publish a specific list. More than ever, it is important to understand what to look for and then seek it out carefully for yourself.

Start by reading the Augsburg Confession itself and learning what the marks of a faithful church are. Then, start looking for churches that talk about and do what the Augsburg Confession says Churches should talk about and do.

Start with congregations that speak about the Scriptures as the Inspired Word of God and refer to the whole Book of Concord as a binding standard of teaching because it is a faithful exposition of the Scriptures.

Some other considerations:

• Frequent and Devout Celebration of Holy Communion
• Use of a defined liturgy following the form of the Western Rite
• Intentional use of ceremony and ritual as a means to teach the faith
• Use of Luther’s Small Catechism in teaching and pastoral care

Sit down and ask the pastor to describe his commitment to teaching the Word of God in it’s purity, administering the Sacraments according to Christ’s institution, and holding firm to the doctrinal standard set forth in the Book of Concord.

Then, continue discussing the details of the Augsburg Confession and the rest of the Book of Concord until you are satisfied.

Once you have found such a church JOIN IT and SUPPORT THE MINISTRY and the work done there. Build relationships with your brothers and sisters in Christ in that place and beyond.