Reform was not easy, Dr. John Rao shows, even in Catholic lands. Monarchs often felt threatened in their power, Spain and Portugal preventing much papal activity in the missions in particular. Bishops placed many obstacles in the path of the reformers, considering the Council's decisions an imposition on their freedom of action. Many of the laity were offended by the attack on deeply rooted superstitious practices. Basic inertia and the resistance offered by ordinary sinful temptations blocked change as well. The Jesuits became a symbol both for those eager to reform and those eager to avoid it. Taken from: Protestant Rebellion and Catholic Reform (1517-1648) - 1997 Von Hildebrand Institute