Augsburg, Interim of

A statement of religious principles drawn up in 1548 in an attempt to sustain the fragile truce between Catholic and Lutheran princes in the Holy Roman Empire. It was written by Protestant and Catholic theologians under the direction of Emperor Charles V. Though it made some concessions to the Lutherans, it was not acceptable to either Catholics or Lutherans and the truce soon collapsed. The conflict continued until the Peace of Augsburg in 1555.

The intention was to satisfy Lutherans without greatly offending Catholics. This was an interim agreement, with the fundamental issues being decided by the Council of Trent. It admitted the universality and indivisibility of the Church, the seven sacraments, and the doctrine of transubstantiation, while granting to the Protestant side the legality of clerical marriages and, to some extent, the doctrine of justification by faith. Maurice, Elector of Saxony, issued the Interim of Leipzig in response.