Indeed, it was inevitable that they should fail; for the breach between the Roman Church and the Reformation was not of a nature to be healed over at this date.

Principles were involved which could not now be harmonized, and both parties in the dispute were on the point of developing their own forces with fresh internal vigor.
[Footnote 14: It should be observed, however, that Luther rejected the article on justification, and that Caraffa in Rome used his influence to prevent its acceptance by Paul III.] The Italians who desired reform of the Church were now thrown back upon the attempt to secure this object within the bosom of Catholicism.

At the request of Paul III.

they presented a memorial on ecclesiastical abuses, which was signed by Contarini, Caraffa, Sadoleto, Pole, Fregoso, Giberto, Cortese and Aleander.

These Cardinals did not spare plain speech upon the burning problem of Papal misgovernment.
Meanwhile, the new spirit began to manifest itself in the foundation of orders and institutions tending to purification of Church discipline.
The most notable of these was the order of Theatines established by Thiene and Caraffa.