The publication of Pope Leo XI11's apostolic letter declaring Anglican priestly orders to be 'absolutely null and utterly void' sent shock waves throughout the Anglican church which continue to reverberate a century later. Today, as Anglicans and Roman Catholics renew their search for greater mutual understanding, all the documents in the debate which led to the issue of ,Apostolicae Curae are brought together in English translation for the first time. This unique and important book is published with two aims in mind. Firstly, to set out the evidence so that those concerned with the same questions today may better understand the limited context of the verdict reached in 1896 and secondly, in the hope of dispelling the frustration and resentment still provoked, to demonstrate the thoroughness, fairness and wide spectrum of opinion whih characterized the original debate.