The Protestant Reformation challenged the Catholic Church's authority throughout Europe, what was the Catholic Church's response to restore order and consolidate their power throughout Europe and the rest of the World?

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counter-Reformation

The Catholic Church responded to the Protestant Reformation with a series of reforms and initiatives aimed at consolidating their power and restoring order. Here are some key actions taken by the Catholic Church to counter the Reformation:

1. Council of Trent: One of the most significant responses was the Council of Trent, held between 1545 and 1563. This council addressed the concerns raised by Protestant reformers and implemented reforms within the Catholic Church itself. It reaffirmed Catholic doctrines, corrected various abuses, and established uniformity in religious practices.

2. Counter-Reformation: The Counter-Reformation was a broader movement within the Catholic Church, focused on countering the spread of Protestantism. It emphasized the revival of the Catholic faith, bringing about reforms in education, spirituality, and religious orders.

3. Formation of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits): In 1540, Ignatius of Loyola and his companions established the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). The Jesuits played a significant role in combating the Protestant Reformation by leading educational institutions, engaging in missionary work, and promoting Catholic doctrines worldwide.

4. The Inquisition: The Catholic Church used the Inquisition - a judicial institution focused on combating heresy - as a means of enforcing religious conformity and preventing the spread of Protestant ideas. This resulted in a climate of fear and pressure for those seen as deviating from Catholic orthodoxy.

5. Expansion of missionary efforts: To counter the influence and appeal of Protestantism, the Catholic Church focused on expanding its missionary efforts around the world. Missionaries were sent to newly discovered territories, particularly in the Americas and Asia, to convert indigenous populations and establish Catholicism as the dominant religion.

By implementing these strategies, the Catholic Church aimed to consolidate power, reinforce its authority, and regain the support of those who were tempted by the Protestant teachings. These efforts allowed the Catholic Church to continue as a dominant force in Europe and elsewhere, albeit with changes and reforms to address some of the grievances raised by the Reformation.