This volume represents the fruit of a cross-national project involving British and French academics who work on issues related to the vast and complex theme of Catholicism in twentieth-century France. Each contributor is a specialist in the subject area of their chapter; together they possess an impressive body of knowledge, aspects of which this collection sets out to capture and present to the reader. The volume was completed as the twentieth century ended and the twenty-first began, a period coloured by themes of reassessment and evaluation, and an effective moment for a reconsideration of the twentieth century from all manner of angles. The purpose of this book is to offer a timely, end-of-century analysis of certain key themes and events crucial to an understanding of the role played by French Catholics and their Church throughout the twentieth century.

As editor of the volume, my thanks go out to all the contributors not only for their willing participation in this project, but also for their commitment, patience and co-operation at all its stages. My thanks are due also to the team at Liverpool University Press.