Some of the key steps taken by the Catholic Church to stop the spread of Protestantism include:
* The Council of Trent (1545-1563): This council was convened to address the theological issues raised by the Protestant Reformation, and it reaffirmed Catholic doctrine on issues such as salvation, the sacraments, and the authority of the Pope.
* The Index of Forbidden Books (1559): This list of books was published by the Catholic Church, and it included any book that was considered to be heretical or dangerous to the faith.
* The Inquisition: The Inquisition was a tribunal that was established to investigate and prosecute heresy. It was used to silence Protestant preachers and other dissidents.
* The Jesuits: This religious order was founded in 1540, and it quickly became a major force in the Counter-Reformation. The Jesuits were known for their missionary work and their educational institutions.
These are just a few of the steps that the Catholic Church took to stop the spread of Protestantism. The Counter-Reformation was a success in that it prevented Protestantism from spreading to more countries, but it also led to a great deal of religious violence and conflict.