"From the time of Constantine there was an active alliance between the church and the political authorities.

"The [State] supported the church, gave it preferential treatment, helped it in its undertakings and expansion, gave special and privileged status to its personnel, protected their persons and possessions, put the secular arm at its service, accepted its advice, gave it an important role in the state's deliberations and decisions, and supported the claim of Christianity to absolute truth.

"The church in return had to support the secular authorities. It had to give them a part in its undertakings, become their public relations officer...