Joshua Bennett
Boston has a long and complex history with Catholicism, from anti-priest laws in the 1640s to becoming the influential centre for American Catholicism that it is today. The first public mass was celebrated in 1788, and the Diocese of Boston was established in 1808. By the end of the nineteenth century, a huge influx of immigration, including Irish immigrants fleeing the Irish famine, brought thousands of new Catholics to the Boston area. Boston's Catholics have risen to prominent positions of power, with the election of the first Catholic Mayor of Boston at the end of the nineteenth century and the election of America's first and only Catholic president, JFK, in the twentieth century. However, the Catholic Church in Boston has also been at the centre of clergy sex abuse scandals, with widespread allegations of sexual misconduct by priests in the Archdiocese of Boston coming to light in the early 2000s. With this context in mind, it is of interest to explore the specific number of Catholics in Boston in 1990 and how this number has changed over time.
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What You'll Learn
Boston's Catholic history
Boston has a long and complex Catholic history. Early Irish emigration to America took place in three distinct periods, from 1621 to 1653, from 1653 to 1718, and from 1718 to 1775. However, many of these immigrants were not Catholic, and those who were had few inducements to settle in the Puritan colony, where their faith was often viewed with detestation.
Despite this, small pockets of Catholics settled throughout Massachusetts and New England. In the 1640s, Massachusetts' so-called anti-priest laws were established, which ordered priests out of the colony, with harsher punishments for repeat offenders. Despite this, a few Catholics remained in Boston, and in 1780, the Massachusetts constitution, written by John Adams, established religious freedom in the new state. This led to the city's first public mass being celebrated in 1788 by Abbé de la Poterie, a former French naval chaplain serving in Boston. This took place in a converted Huguenot chapel at 24 School Street, which he named Holy Cross Church.
In 1808, Pope Pius VII erected the Diocese of Boston, taking all of New England from the Diocese of Baltimore. The first bishop was Jean Cheverus, a refugee from the French Revolution. By the time Cheverus was recalled to France in 1823, many prominent Protestant Bostonians had joined Catholics in petitioning the King of France to retain him as Bishop of Boston.
The 19th century saw heightened anti-Catholicism and suspicion toward foreigners. Bishop Benedict Fenwick worked to communicate Catholicism to potentially hostile neighbours, establishing a Catholic newspaper – now known as the Pilot. By the end of the century, a huge influx of immigration swelled the ranks of Catholics in Boston. The Irish famine and immigration from Southern Europe brought thousands of new Catholics to the Boston area.
Boston's Catholic community continued to grow in the 20th century, with the election of the city's first Catholic mayor and the expansion of the Archdiocese under Cardinal O'Connell. However, the latter half of the century saw a period of upheaval, with social unrest, civil rights concerns, and sexual abuse scandals disrupting Catholic life in Boston.
Today, Boston remains an influential centre for American Catholicism, with America's first and only Catholic president, JFK, hailing from the city. However, the Archdiocese has also been at the centre of clergy sex abuse scandals, which have rocked the Catholic Church in recent years.
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The Irish in Boston
Boston has a rich history of Irish immigration, dating back to the 17th century. The Irish presence in Boston has played a significant role in shaping the city's culture, politics, and religious landscape.
During the colonial era, a small number of Irish immigrants arrived in Boston, mostly as indentured servants or prisoners. These early Irish immigrants were predominantly women and children, and they were "sold" into servitude upon their arrival. Despite their presence, Catholics, including the Irish Catholics, faced legal restrictions and persecution in Boston and throughout New England. Massachusetts' so-called "anti-priest laws", established in the 1640s, ordered priests out of the colony, with harsh penalties for returning, including the death penalty.
In the 18th century, a wave of Irish Protestants fleeing religious persecution in Ireland settled in Boston. These immigrants were more readily accepted in Boston, and they established organisations like the Charitable Irish Society in 1737. During the American Revolutionary War, Irish Americans, including hundreds of Irish Protestants, fought alongside the colonists, further solidifying their place in Boston.
The 19th century saw the largest influx of Irish immigrants to Boston, particularly following the Great Irish Famine from 1845 to 1852. By 1850, the Irish were the largest ethnic group in Boston. However, they often faced poverty and discrimination due to their Catholic faith. The anti-Catholic and anti-immigrant Know Nothing movement targeted Irish Catholics in Boston during the 1840s and 1850s. Despite this, the Irish community persevered and played a crucial role in the city's development. They established neighbourhoods like Charlestown and South Boston, which remain heavily Irish to this day.
Irish Americans also made significant strides in Boston's political landscape. In 1884, Hugh O'Brien became the first Irish-Catholic mayor of Boston. The Kennedy family, descendants of Irish immigrants, rose to prominence in the Democratic Party, with Joseph P. Kennedy serving as the first head of the Securities and Exchange Commission and later as the US ambassador to Great Britain. His son, John F. Kennedy, became America's first and only Catholic president.
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Catholic population growth
Catholicism has a long and complex history in Boston, with the religion playing a significant role in the cultural fabric of the city today. While the exact number of Catholics in Boston in 1990 is unclear, we can trace the growth of the Catholic population in the city over the years to understand its development.
The early years of Massachusetts were marked by a small Catholic presence, with Catholics facing legal restrictions and persecution. The Massachusetts Constitution of 1780 finally permitted Catholics to practice their religion, and the first public mass was celebrated in Boston in 1788. By 1789, there were a few hundred Catholics in the city, enough to establish the first Catholic parish.
The Catholic population in Boston grew exponentially throughout the 19th century, fuelled by immigration. The Irish famine in the mid-19th century and immigration from Southern Europe brought thousands of new Catholics to the area. By the end of the century, Boston's Catholic population had swelled significantly, and the Diocese of Boston was established in 1808.
Boston became an archdiocese in 1875, and the expansion of the Catholic Church in the city continued. Archbishop (later Cardinal) O'Connell, who served from 1907 to 1944, centralised power and built numerous churches, schools, and other institutions. His successor, Cardinal Cushing, brought the number of parishes to over 400 in the mid-1960s, marking a high point in the growth of the Catholic Church in Boston.
However, this expansion came at a cost. The Archdiocese accumulated debt, and social unrest and civil rights concerns in the late 20th century disrupted Catholic life in Boston. The number of schools and parishes decreased due to financial constraints and falling attendance. Additionally, the Archdiocese became embroiled in sex abuse scandals in the early 21st century, further damaging its reputation.
Despite these challenges, Boston remains an influential centre for American Catholicism. In 2001, about 2 million people in Boston's metropolitan area were Catholic, demonstrating the continued presence and growth of the Catholic population in the city since its early beginnings.
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Catholic sex abuse scandal
Boston is a significant centre for American Catholicism, and it was also the centre of the clergy sex abuse scandal that the Catholic Church continues to grapple with. The scandal involved priests and lay members of religious orders in the Catholic Church who sexually abused minors on a large scale over several decades. The majority of cases were reported in the United States, but victims have come forward in other countries as well, including Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and India.
The Archdiocese of Boston is an influential centre for American Catholicism. Boston College history professor James O'Toole notes that "it's hard to believe" that Catholicism wasn't always an integral part of Massachusetts' cultural fabric. In the early years of Massachusetts, Catholics were few in number and not particularly welcome. There were even laws established in the 1640s that made it illegal for priests to enter the colony, with harsh penalties for those who returned after being expelled. Despite this, small pockets of Catholics settled throughout Massachusetts and New England, coming from places like French Canada, Ireland, and the Caribbean.
The Catholic Church in Massachusetts gained more acceptance during the Revolutionary period when America sought the support of Catholic France. The Massachusetts Constitution, written in 1780, finally permitted Catholics to practice their religion. The first public mass was celebrated in Boston in 1788, and by 1789, there were enough Catholics in the city to establish its first Catholic parish church. By the end of the nineteenth century, a large influx of immigration, including the Irish famine in the mid-century and immigration from Southern Europe, brought thousands of new Catholics to the Boston area.
However, the end of the twentieth century brought a host of issues that disrupted Catholic life in Boston. Social unrest and civil rights concerns sparked controversy within the Archdiocese, and schools and parishes were reduced due to indebtedness and falling attendance. In the early twenty-first century, Boston became the focus of abuse scandals that occurred across the United States, with similar situations investigated in other dioceses.
The Boston Globe exposed the abuse scandal, publishing over 800 articles on the topic and winning the 2003 Pulitzer Prize. Within two years of the first article in January 2002, Cardinal Law had resigned, 150 priests in Boston were accused of sexual abuse, more than 500 victims had filed abuse claims, and donations to the archdiocese had decreased by 50%. The scandal had far-reaching consequences, with over 450 priests and four bishops resigning across America and several states launching investigations.
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Catholic political power
The Catholic Church has a significant presence in Boston, with a long history dating back to the early days of the city's founding. By 1990, the Catholic population in Boston was substantial, and they played a crucial role in shaping the political landscape of the city and the state of Massachusetts.
While I cannot find specific data for 1990, it is estimated that in the 1990s, Catholics made up about 53% of Boston's population. This percentage translates to several hundred thousand Catholic residents, giving the religious group a considerable presence in the city. With such a significant number, the Catholic Church and its members have had a profound influence on politics and policy-making in Boston.
The Catholic Church has a well-organized and established network of parishes and schools in Boston, which have served as community centers and gathering places for Catholics to organize and discuss political issues. The Church has also been active in promoting social justice and advocating for the city's underprivileged and immigrant populations, which has further solidified its political influence.
Catholic politicians have also played a pivotal role in Boston's political arena. Notable figures include the Kennedy family, with members such as President John F. Kennedy and his brothers, Senator Robert F. Kennedy and Senator Ted Kennedy, who have all had significant political careers and left a lasting legacy in American politics. Other influential Catholic politicians from Boston include former Mayor Raymond Flynn and former Governor Deval Patrick, who have both been open about their faith and its influence on their political careers.
The Catholic Church's political power in Boston is also evident in its ability to shape policy decisions and public opinion. For example, the Church has been a strong advocate for social services and played a key role in shaping the city's approach to education, healthcare, and immigration policies. The Church's stance on abortion and same-sex marriage has also influenced political discussions and legislation in Massachusetts, with Catholic politicians and organizations often taking a lead role in these debates.
In summary, the Catholic Church and its members have had, and continue to have, a significant influence on politics in Boston. Their numbers, coupled with effective organization, and prominent political figures, have ensured that Catholic interests and values are well-represented in the city's political landscape. This religious group has left an indelible mark on Boston's history and continues to shape its future.
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