One set of battles that was involved among the "revivalists" entailed quarrels with the governments of Europe: Orthodox, Protestant, Catholic, and Liberal. This, Dr. John Rao demonstrates, could lead to sanctions imposed by the Church's "friends" as well as her enemies.

Another problem emerged from the effort to strengthen the backbone of the Church authorities. When bishops of national Churches did not respond, supporters of the Ultramontanist movement calling for the tightening up of papal power looked more and more to Rome for help. And, as Dr. John Rao emphasizes, when men like Lamennais did not approve of Rome's response, they began to argue that the Church ought to be founded upon the guidance of "The People" at large.

Dr. John Rao also emphasizes the Intellectual disputes which began to develop. Should the Church primarily revive a knowledge of Scholasticism or the Church Fathers? Speculative theology or positive theology? Should political parties be formed to fight secularists? What role would journalism play in a Catholic awakening?

Dr. John Rao indicates that the entire struggle for Catholic freedom and a Catholic declaration of independence from the regalist-naturalist stranglehold was symbolized by the work of Pius IX. Pius IX, however, not only unleashed Catholic enthusiasm; he helped to bring on the Revolutions of 1848 which ultimately forced him to recognize that a deeper clarification of what the Catholic position really was needed.

Protestant competition, and revival of Catholic religious orders backed by the aid of clerical-lay circles in Europe and the Papacy increased missionary activity in the nineteenth century. Exploration in Africa also played its role, along with the warfare that opened China to western penetration in both positive and negative ways. Dr. John Rao discusses the missionary movement in detail, indicating also the unfortunate clashes of different Catholic missionary forces.

Pius IX himself saw the need for a deeper clarification of the Catholic position by 1848. The rest of his reign was spend dedicated to this work. Dr. John Rao, in two talks, shows the nature of the labor involved, the aid given to it by Catholic journals, and way in which it increased tensions with the regalist-naturalist world.

Pius IX now saw that liberal, democratic, and nationalist governments could be even more anti-Catholic than traditionally regalist ones. For all forms of governments engaged in anti-Catholic activities, the Pope's militancy was a call to "culture war" whose early battles Dr. John Rao outlines.

Dealing with Eastern Orthodoxy differed for Rome depending upon the region involved. Dr. John Rao discusses these varying relationships in exploring everything from Papal-Tsarist to Papal-Ottoman affairs. He also treats of the problems with Eastern Orthodoxy emerging from its own increasing self-awareness and the growth of the Ultramontanist Movement.

In this lecture, Dr. John Rao examines the genesis, specifics, and significance of the Syllabus. Its defenders and opponents in the Catholic world, such as La Civilta Cattolica, are treated in detail.

Why call a Council? What issues were meant to be tackled at this Synod? What factions contended? How did papal infallibility come to be proclaimed? What role did traditionalist and liberal Catholics have in the outcome? What part did State and State threats play? Why did it end so suddenly? Dr. John Rao examines all such themes in this lecture.