Question

three ways in which the Roman Catholic Church responded to the spread of Protestantism in the sixteenth century

Answer 1

In response to the spread of the Protestant Reformation, the Catholic Church launched the Counter-Reformation to win back the faithful to the Church.  Through the Council of Trent, they reaffirmed the authority of the Pope as well as the legitimacy of the Sacraments and teachings of the Catholic Church.  It also established the Society of Jesus who actively spread the teachings of the Catholic faith.  The Jesuits as well as others also embarked on missionary work that spread Catholicism to America, Africa and Asia as well as won back converts in Europe.