Grace Thompson
Despite Billy Graham's Southern Baptist background, he was known for his ecumenical relationships with Catholics, which was unusual for the time. Graham's friendship with prominent American Catholics such as Fulton Sheen, Cardinal Cushing, and Rose Kennedy, as well as his meetings with Pope John Paul II, challenged the traditional divide between Protestants and Catholics. Graham's influence extended beyond his Baptist allegiances, and he played a role in improving relations between the two denominations. Graham's work with local Catholic churches and his focus on promoting Jesus Christ rather than a particular sect contributed to his impact on American Catholicism. While some criticised his universalism and essentialist views of the Gospel, others admired his ability to build bridges and shape religious dialogue in the United States.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Relationship with the Catholic Church | Billy Graham was criticised for his essentialist views of the Gospel and his universalism. |
| He was magnanimous towards Christians across denominations, including Catholics. | |
| He played a role in improving Catholic-Protestant relations. | |
| He was friends with prominent American Catholics, including Fulton Sheen, Cardinal Cushing, and Rose Kennedy. | |
| He was the first Protestant to receive an honorary degree from Belmont Abbey College, a Catholic school. | |
| Influence | Graham was a celebrity Christian figure who filled stadiums and had a TV presence. |
| He was considered one of the most influential Christian leaders of the 20th century. | |
| He had a profound influence on people's lives and spiritual journeys. | |
| Political Influence | Graham advised US presidents, including Harry S. Truman, on political matters. |
| He played a behind-the-scenes role in Reagan's diplomacy with the Vatican. | |
| He opposed abortion but supported it in limited circumstances. | |
| Personal Life | Graham suffered from hydrocephalus and Parkinson's disease in his later years. |
| He had two sons, Ned and Franklin, who disagreed over his burial place. |
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What You'll Learn
Billy Graham's relationship with the Catholic Church
Billy Graham was an American evangelist, ordained Southern Baptist minister, and civil rights advocate. He rose to prominence in the mid- to late 20th century, and was considered one of the most influential Christian leaders of his time.
Despite his Baptist background, Graham was known for his ecumenical outreach, which extended beyond Methodists, Pentecostals, and other Evangelicals to include Anglicans, Orthodox Christians, and Catholics. Graham's relationship with the Catholic Church is particularly fascinating given the historical tensions between Protestants and Catholics, who often behaved as if they were of different faiths.
Graham played a significant role in bridging the divide between Protestants and Catholics. After John F. Kennedy's election as the first Catholic president of the United States, Graham acknowledged that Kennedy's election presented an opportunity for Catholics and Protestants to come closer together. He met with Kennedy on several occasions, including a golf outing in Palm Beach, Florida, and a National Day of Prayer meeting in February 1963.
Graham also had friendly relationships with prominent American Catholics, such as Fulton Sheen, whom Graham called "the greatest communicator of the twentieth century," and Cardinal Cushing. In 1967, Graham received an honorary doctorate from Belmont Abbey College, a Roman Catholic school, becoming the first Protestant to receive this honour. In 1981, he spoke at a Vespers service at the North American College in Rome, which he described as "Christocentric." Graham also connected with Catholic bishops and archbishops, such as Cardinal Basil Hume, who attended Graham's 1989 Crusade in London.
Graham had a close relationship with Pope John Paul II, who told Graham, "we are brothers." This affinity dated back to before John Paul II became pope, when he was still Cardinal Wotjyla. As pope, John Paul II met with Graham on three official occasions.
Despite his efforts at ecumenism, Graham faced criticism from some who saw his outreach as a betrayal of Protestant doctrines. He was also criticised by some Catholics who disagreed with his evangelical techniques and language for faith. Nevertheless, Graham's efforts to build bridges between Protestants and Catholics had a significant impact on shaping American Catholicism.
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Graham's influence on American Catholicism
Billy Graham was an American evangelist, ordained Southern Baptist minister, and civil rights advocate. His career spanned over six decades, during which he rose to prominence as an evangelical Christian figure in the United States and abroad. Graham was considered "among the most influential Christian leaders" of the 20th century.
Graham's ecumenical approach was not without criticism, however. Some evangelical pastors and priests have criticized the "Evangelicals and Catholics Together" document from 1994, arguing that it claimed too much theological agreement between the two sides. Graham's son, Franklin, has also been criticized for eroding the goodwill his father built up in ecumenical relationships.
Despite these controversies, Graham's influence on individual Catholics was profound. Many Catholics, including Deacon Steven D. Greydanus of the National Catholic Register, have shared how Graham impacted their spiritual journeys. Graham's crusades and altar calls moved people to commit their lives to Christ, and he worked with local Catholic churches and bishops to ensure that those responding to his calls were connected with Catholic priests for further discipleship.
In conclusion, Billy Graham's influence on American Catholicism was complex and multifaceted. While he did not become a Catholic himself, he helped to build bridges between Protestants and Catholics, challenged stereotypes, and inspired individuals to explore and deepen their faith.
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Graham's friendships with prominent American Catholics
Billy Graham was an American evangelist, ordained Southern Baptist minister, and civil rights advocate. He was considered among the most influential Christian leaders of the 20th century. Over his six-decade-long career, Graham befriended many prominent American Catholics.
Graham's notable friendships with American Catholics include the following:
Pope John Paul II
Graham met with Pope John Paul II on three separate "official" occasions. According to Graham, the Pope told him, "we are brothers". In 1984, Graham's spokesperson said that he played a behind-the-scenes role in President Reagan's establishment of diplomacy with the Vatican, which contributed to the fall of Communism in Eastern Europe.
Fulton Sheen
Fulton Sheen was an Archbishop and a prominent American Catholic. Graham and Sheen first met when they were on the same train from Washington, DC, to New York City. According to Graham, Sheen was the "greatest communicator of the twentieth century".
Cardinal Cushing
Graham was also friends with Cardinal Cushing, who endorsed evangelical techniques.
Rose Kennedy
Rose Kennedy, a Catholic, once told Graham, "Even though we are Catholic, I have never heard you say anything we don’t agree with in the Bible."
Reverend Theodore Hesburgh
Reverend Theodore Hesburgh, C.S.C., was a prominent Catholic with whom Graham shared a warm friendship. Hesburgh even gave Graham permission to hold a crusade on the campus of the University of Notre Dame in its famous football stadium.
President John F. Kennedy
Although Kennedy and Graham initially collaborated to oppose Nixon's Roman Catholic opponent, Kennedy, in the 1960 election, Kennedy's election was acknowledged by Graham as an opportunity for Catholics and Protestants to unite. They remained in touch, meeting for the final time at a National Day of Prayer meeting in February 1963.
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Graham's ecumenical relationships
Billy Graham was an American evangelist, ordained Southern Baptist minister, and civil rights advocate, who gained prominence in the mid- to late 20th century. Graham's ecumenical relationships were a significant aspect of his ministry and had a notable impact on both Protestant-Catholic relations and American Catholicism.
Graham himself acknowledged the influence of ecumenical relationships on his thinking. In an interview with James Michael Beam for McCall's magazine in January 1978, Graham stated that he had become "far more tolerant of other kinds of Christians" than he once was. He credited his interactions with leaders from traditions such as Catholicism, Lutheranism, and others beyond his Southern Baptist background for broadening his perspective. Graham recognised that, despite some differences in church traditions, he shared essential beliefs with orthodox Roman Catholics, such as belief in the Virgin Birth and the Resurrection of Jesus.
Graham's ecumenical outlook was evident early in his ministry. In his autobiography, he recounts how, in the late 1940s and early 1950s, his evangelical meetings in New England attracted a diverse range of attendees, including Roman Catholic priests, Unitarian clergy, and their parishioners. This experience expanded his ecumenical outlook and fostered spiritual love for their clergy. Graham's first citywide crusade in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in September 1947, marked the beginning of an openly ecumenical program, with broad denominational support.
Graham's relationships with prominent American Catholics, such as Fulton Sheen and Cardinal Cushing, are well-known. He also had a close relationship with Queen Elizabeth II, which may have been due to their shared traditional approach to Christianity. Additionally, Graham played a behind-the-scenes role in President Reagan's establishment of diplomacy with the Vatican, contributing to the eventual fall of Communism in Eastern Europe.
Graham's influence on Catholic-Protestant relations was recognised by Pope John Paul II, who told him, "we are brothers". This statement symbolised a united family of believers guided by their shared faith in Christ, transcending denominational differences. Graham's impact extended beyond his relationships with Catholic figures, as he also shaped the worldview of people from various backgrounds, helping them find a connection between the Bible and contemporary secular viewpoints.
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Graham's views on abortion
While Billy Graham was opposed to abortion, he was functionally pro-choice. In his book Storm Warning, he wrote:
> The Bible makes it clear that God sees the unborn infant not as a piece of superfluous biological tissue, but as a person created by Him for life.
Graham believed that abortion was one of the most serious sins in the modern world in the eyes of God. However, he supported it as a legal option in a narrow range of circumstances, including rape, incest, and when the mother's life is at stake. In an interview with the Winnipeg Free Press in 1978, he said:
> I am opposed to abortion, except possibly in cases of rape, incest, or when the mother's life is at stake. I oppose the casual approach to abortion that is so common today, and I believe it is one of the most serious sins of the modern world in the eyes of God.
Graham also believed that abortion should not be used as a form of birth control or for personal convenience. He argued that the media had defended a woman's right to abortion without considering the fate of the unborn child. In addition, he warned that abortion could have grave future consequences for the woman, including the haunting memory of a child that might have been.
Despite his opposition to abortion, Graham offered a message of forgiveness and reconciliation to those who had undergone the procedure. In his response to a reader who could not forgive herself for having an abortion, he wrote:
> You are wrong when you say God can never forgive you.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Billy Graham was a Southern Baptist minister. However, he was sympathetic towards the Catholic Church and had many prominent Catholic friends, including Fulton Sheen, Cardinal Cushing, and Rose Kennedy. He also played a role in President Reagan's establishment of diplomacy with the Vatican.
Billy Graham helped improve Protestant-Catholic relations. He was the first Protestant to receive an honorary degree from Belmont Abbey College, a Roman Catholic school. He also spoke at a Vespers service at the North American College in Rome.
Billy Graham believed that Catholics were Christians. He was criticized for his universalism and magnanimity towards Christians across denominational lines. He once said that his goal was not to get people to leave their church but to commit their lives to Christ.
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