Catholicism: A Complete Introduction: Teach Yourself

On the world stage, Catholicism is the largest of the branches of Christianity with over 1.2 billion followers. How has the Catholic Church's message reached into every corner of the globe, and what challenges does it face now and in the future?Catholicism: A Complete Introduction is a thorough and structured overview of the subject, covering the basics of the faith, the history of Catholicism, the role of the papacy, and teachings and traditions within the Church. It includes topics as diverse as the role of women in the Catholic Church, the celebrity of the Pope, and how 2000-year-old Church traditions still shape what it is to be a Catholic in the 21st century. This edition also examines the "Francis effect", the extraordinary global impact of the election of Pope Francis in 2013, and shift his arrival has caused both within and outside the Church. Broken down into easy-to-read parts, it includes insights, topic summaries and case studies to encourage further study and reflection. Whether you are preparing for an essay, studying for an exam or simply want to expand your knowledge, Catholicism: A Complete Introduction is your essential guide. 'A readable and important book of reference' Rachel Billington, Novelist'Packed with information… it is a most engaging read' Edward Stourton, BroadcasterPeter Stanford is writer, journalist and broadcaster. A former editor of the Catholic Herald, he is a features writer at the Daily and Sunday Telegraph titles, and contributes to the Independent, the Observer and the Catholic weekly, the Tablet, where he is a columnist. He has presented programmes on BBC 1, Channel 4 and Channel 5, as well as BBC Radios 2 and 4 and the BBC World Service. His books include Judas: The Troubling History of the Renegade Apostle; The Devil: A Biography; Heaven: A Travellers' Guide; and The She-Pope.