some of these regions the expansion has been exponential, so that now, in addition to the powerful, there are those in many parts who would still recognise themselves in the words of Paul. In this vast and heterogeneous agglomeration, the Church has clearly come a long way in terms of size, geographical distribution, influence and social standing, from the small pockets of Christian believers whom we encounter in the pages of the New Testament. Secondly, this enormous spread of the Church around