Why Study Vatican II on Church-State Relations?

This chapter introduces the argument of the monograph by using the examples of the Scillitan Martyrs from the second century and religious persecution in contemporary China to demonstrate the enduring importance of the confrontation between two loyalties: God and Caesar. Having demonstrated the ever-present relevance of this clash of two loves and loyalties, it then shows why it is important to study Vatican II on church-state relations, due to its pervasive influence in how the Catholic Church, through its official teachings, has approached and still approaches its relations with political regimes. The chapter then presents a summary of the forthcoming chapters.