ABSTRACT
This article aims to analyze the proposal of reform of the Church defended by part of the priests during the third stage of the Council of Trent (1562-1563) through the ‘Petitiones’ written by the Archbishop of Braga Friar Bartolomeu dos Mártires. His requisitions are representative of the most polemic Tridentine debates and presented many of the topics that would be discussed during the assembly as the agenda of a group that indicated the necessity of a deep reform to be conducted by the bishops in their dioceses. Although many of the demands have remained in the field of debate, others have found expression on the decrees, especially those of disciplinary character. However, the biggest requisition, clearly expressed in the Petitions and topic of dissension during the Council, was the episcopal protagonism and rise of the bishop as head of the reform.
Keywords:
Episcopacy; Papacy; Roman Curia; Council of Trent; Catholic Reformation