Europe and the Faith "Sine auctoritate nulla vita"

"Europe and the Faith" by Hilaire Belloc is a historical argument emphasizing the Catholic Church's major role in forming the identity of European civilization. The book challenges common thoughts that see Christianity as just something outside Europe, claiming the Faith is at the core of European life. It starts by talking about the "Catholic conscience" needed to understand history. Belloc says looking at European history without considering Catholicism is a mistake. He points out that modern ways of studying history are broken and argues that the Church is essential for understanding the fall of Rome and the rise of new countries. The author insists that the Catholic Faith is not just a part of European history but the key to understanding its whole story and the problems of today's Europe.