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Since the 1990s, many books have been published on the role of the Vatican in the modern world. This text presents evidence showing that many of the authors of these books, whether devoted or antagonistic to the papacy, have been guilty of factual distortions and biased interpretations that lead to a flawed picture of the contemporary church. Because the devotees rely on self-righteous piety rather than serious scholarship, their books are treated briefly. As to the antagonists, Lawler argues that they are doing to the church what the church historically did to the Jews - methodically scapegoating an imaginary enemy. Throughout this negative critique, Lawler cites names and provides evidence to back up his assertions. The second and more detailed focus of this book is on a self-regulating principle of reform which maintains an equilibrium between the centre and periphery, between the "church teaching" and the "church taught." This extended discussion has informative quotations, anecdotes and lessons from some of the greatest and most tragic figures in modern religious history: de Lamennais, Newman, Loisy, Montalembert, Dollinger, Rosmini, Acton, Blondel, Maritain, Bernanos, Congar, Haring and others.