This volume is the first English installment of the German Lexikon fuer Theologie und Kirche, a world-renowned reference work in Christian history and theology. The Dictionary arrives on the American scene at a moment when speculation about the future of the papacy is at an all-time high. Will future popes continue the socially active path taken by Pope John Paul II? What will be the delicate balance of authority between the Vatican and churches around the world, especially the American churches? The best indication to the future is through the rich history of the popes, their lives, and their teachings, all of which are covered in rich detail in this present volume.
