Catholicism

Chapter 1. The origins of Catholicism

1. The source of Christianity / John C. Dwyer

2. The role of St. Peter / Stephen K. Ray

3. Emperor Constantine's conversion to Christianity / Hans A. Pohlsander

4. The church during the middle ages / H.W. Crocker III

5. The contributions of the monastic orders / Charles De Montalembert

chapter 2. The evolution of the church

1. The Spanish Inquisition / Henry Kamen

2. Protestant reformers break away from the Catholic church / Madeleine A. Gray

3. The Catholic counterreformation / John C. Dwyer

4. The Enlightenment's challenge to Catholicism / Jonathan Hill

5. The immaculate conception / Pius IX

Chapter 3. The Catholic church in the twentieth century

1. The debate over the church's role during World War II / John Davis and Robert McCormick

2. The impact of the Vatican II council / John W. O'Malley

3. The Catholic church seeks dialogue with other Christian denominations / Paul VI

4. The church's stand against artificial contraception / Paul VI

5. Pope John Paul II's influence / Jonathan Kwitny

Chapter 4. Contemporary developments and debates

1. Catholics, abortion, and the death penalty / James D. Davidson

2. The sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic church / Mitchell C. Pacwa

3. The changing role of women in the Catholic church / Mary Ann Glendon

4. In support of same-sex marriage / Andrew Sullivan

5. In defense of traditional marriage / United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Appendix

Chronology.