The Inquisition was set up in Catalonia in 1487. Its purpose was to ensure the purity of the faith and to act against new or converted Christians who were accused of Jewish practices or reverting to Judaism. The Diputació del General, the Consell de Cent and the Junta de Braços (the Corts without the king) protested against the action of the Inquisition and refused to aid the inquisitors in their work. Many converted Jews went into exile in fear. Barcelona and other cities thus lost capital and men experienced in management and finance, which was to have a damaging effect on the ability to respond to the new economic challenges raised by the trade routes across the Atlantic.