02: Catholicism: The Unpredictable Rise of Rome | A History of Christianity

Duration: 59'09''

Synopsis

Diarmaid MacCulloch explores the rise of Roman Catholicism. How did a small Jewish sect become western Europe's established religion?

Further Information

More clips from A History of Christianity

01: The First Christianity | A History of Christianity

01: The First Christianity | A History of Christianity

BBC Four | 2009 | 58'45''

Diarmaid MacCulloch reveals the origins of Christianity and asks if it can survive in our secular society. He shows ho...

03: Orthodoxy - From Empire to Empire | A History of Christianity

03: Orthodoxy - From Empire to Empire | A History of Christianity

BBC Four | 2009 | 58'12''

Diarmaid MacCulloch explores Eastern Orthodox Christianity's fight for survival, having withstood threats f...

04: Reformation: The Individual Before God | A History of Christianity

04: Reformation: The Individual Before God | A History of Christianity

BBC Four | 2009 | 58'42''

Diarmaid MacCulloch looks at the Reformation and sees how a faith based on obedience and authority led...

05: Protestantism - The Evangelical Explosion | A History of Christianity

05: Protestantism - The Evangelical Explosion | A History of Christianity

BBC Four | 2009 | 58'36''

Diarmaid MacCulloch traces the growth of an exuberant expression of faith that has spread across th...

06: God in the Dock | A History of Christianity

06: God in the Dock | A History of Christianity

BBC Four | 2009 | 58'41''

Diarmaid MacCulloch examines the concept of scepticism in Western Christianity and challenges the idea that faith has ebbed a...

The Emergence of Protestantism | A History of Christianity

The Emergence of Protestantism | A History of Christianity

BBC Four | 2011 | 25'04''

This clip explores the rise of Christianity, specifically Protestantism in the mid 19th century in America with th...

More resources about Roman catholicism

Harry Clark Goes to Rome

Harry Clark Goes to Rome

BBC One | 2026 | 58'08''

From altar boy to Britain’s most famous liar, Harry Clark explores what it means to be a ‘good Catholic’ as he embarks on a pilgrimage to Rome and a...

Contemporary Catholicism | A-Z of Belief

Contemporary Catholicism | A-Z of Belief

BBC Two | 1990 | 29'43''

James Grant from Love & Money discusses why being a Roman Catholic is important to him, while Eamonn Spratt defends the values of hi...

Secrets of the Conclave

Secrets of the Conclave

BBC Two | 2025 | 58'53''

Featuring unseen footage and with exclusive access to the Vatican, this is the inside story of the papal conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV, told by ...

01: Priests | Catholics

01: Priests | Catholics

BBC Four | 2012 | 59'28''

Series about being Catholic in Britain today begins with a look at men studying for the priesthood at London's Allen Hall, one of only three remainin...

02: Children | Catholics

02: Children | Catholics

BBC Four | 2012 | 59'33''

Series about being Catholic in Britain today, focusing on the children of a rural Lancashire primary school, six of whom are preparing to make their...

03: Women | Catholics

03: Women | Catholics

BBC Four | 2012 | 59'10''

Series about being Catholic in Britain today focuses on the female staff, volunteers and congregation of Westminster Cathedral, who talk about what Cat...