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
