A great reform gridlock brought forth a number of reformations. The Council of Trent could no longer heal the church schism, yet it did modernize the internal world of Catholicism. While the Augsburg religious peace in Germany created a kind of tense calm, the gruesome oppression of the Huguenots raged in France, In England, Henry VIII's marital problems led to a separation from Rome. Rich, powerful Spain played a dark role. Philip Il used every means at his disposal to re-establish the Medieval unity of religion and power. The Inquisition conducted a war of destruction on free thinking. When the lowland provinces opened toward Calvinism, Philip replied with unprecedented terror. The fight for freedom in the Netherlands became a role model for all freedom movements in Europe.

Episode 9 of the series "2000 Years Of Christianity". Director Werner Herzog explores Christianity in the New World including an overview of the Spanish conquest of Mexico and modern day religious rituals in Antigua.