in salzburg, like before in passau, ernest was lenient towards the protestant movement. perhaps an understanding of the intellectual and social causes of the reformation may have played a role. he contributed little to the intellectual and spiritual revival of catholicism; he recognized, however, the social and economic developments of his time. he attended the diet of regensburg in 1541 and held provincial synods in 1544 and 1553. he was a capable administrator: he brought order to the country's finances and introduced administrative reforms. like in passau he loved economic enterprises. he was involved in alpine mining, cattle and grain trade, and at dealing in coins.