Humanism and catholic reform

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This book probes the link between Renaissance humanism and reform ideology in sixteenth-century Italy through a study of the efforts of the Benedictine abbot and cardinal, Gregorio Cortese. Focusing upon Cortese's program for monastic renewal and his place in the broader movement for Church reform, Francesco Cesareo illustrates how humanism served as Cortese's point of departure. Through a careful examination of Cortese's correspondence this study not only concludes that humanism was at the service of religion, but also evidences the existence of a positive movement of renewal in the Catholic Church.