Presenting case studies from sixteen countries on five continents, this title paints a portrait of a complex and paradoxical institution whose political role has varied historically and geographically.

"A book that astutely crosses the theology-political Science divide to probe the relation between faith and culture. The authors capture multiple tensions and ambiguities as the Catholic Church faces challenges of secularization, nationalism, and democracy across the globe."—Clarke E. Cochran, Texas Tech University
"Manuel, Reardon, and Wilcox have assembled a superb group of scholars to discuss the global challenges to the Catholic Church. Organized thematically and covering all corners of the world, this work should become an essential read for anybody interested in Catholicism or religion more generally."—Anthony Gill, author of "Rendering Unto Caesar: The Catholic Church and the State in Latin America"