Joshua Bennett
The religious affiliations of the Founding Fathers of the United States have long been a topic of interest. Of the signers of the Constitution, over half were Episcopalians or Anglicans, the old state Church of England. There were also 13 Congregationalists, 12 Presbyterians, two Quakers, two Unitarians, and one Roman Catholic, Charles Carroll. Carroll was an odd inclusion given the anti-Catholic sentiment of the time. However, he was one of the best-educated signers, having studied with the Jesuits in the British colonies and in France.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Catholic signers | 1 |
| Denominations of other signers | 32 Episcopalians or Anglicans, 13 Congregationalists, 12 Presbyterians, 2 Quakers, 2 Unitarians |
| Number of signers who were members of the Presbyterian Church | 1/3 |
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What You'll Learn
- Charles Carroll was the only Catholic signer of the Constitution
- Carroll's cousin, John Carroll, became the US's first Catholic bishop
- Carroll was one of the best-educated signers, having studied with Jesuits
- Carroll was an odd inclusion given the anti-Catholic sentiment of the time
- Two-thirds of the Constitution's framers came from Calvinist backgrounds
Charles Carroll was the only Catholic signer of the Constitution
Charles Carroll, the only Roman Catholic signer of the US Constitution, was, in a sense, an odd inclusion given the anti-Catholic sentiments of the time. Carroll was one of the best-educated signers, having studied with the Jesuits in the British colonies and in France. His cousin, John Carroll, was the first US Catholic bishop and later became the Archbishop of Baltimore.
The Founding Fathers did not want a national religion, but many believed, as Benjamin Franklin said, that "God governs the affairs of men". The religious roots of the Constitution and the First Amendment should be recognized, as they contribute to our understanding of the new church-state paradigm that was launched. The perspectives of the Founding Fathers were largely based on the Westminster Confession of Faith. Two-thirds of the framers came from Calvinist backgrounds, and a majority were Presbyterians.
The breakdown of denominations among the signers is as follows: 32 were Episcopalians or Anglicans (the old state Church of England), 13 were Congregationalists, 12 were Presbyterians, two were Quakers, two were Unitarians, and one was Roman Catholic. It is important to note that determining people's religious beliefs can be challenging. For instance, while Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia were members of the Episcopal Church, they also identified as deists.
The Westminster Confession had to be revised for the new nation, as its provisions about government referred to royalty. Before the Revolutionary War, American Presbyterians viewed themselves as breaking away from a corrupt and unresponsive European mother church. They called their new document a "Constitution" before the political founders did. The revisers met just down the street from Independence Hall on the weekend before the Constitutional Convention began.
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Carroll's cousin, John Carroll, became the US's first Catholic bishop
In the context of the American Revolution and the drafting of the United States Constitution, it is notable that out of the 55 delegates who signed this foundational document, only one was openly Catholic: Daniel Carroll, who represented Maryland. Carroll's family had a significant influence on the presence and acceptance of Catholicism in the early United States. This influence extended through his cousin, John Carroll, who became a pivotal figure in the history of Catholicism in America by serving as the first Catholic bishop in the United States.
John Carroll was born in 1735 in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, into a prominent Catholic family. He was the oldest of seven children and, like his cousin Daniel, received a Jesuit education, first in Maryland and later in France and England. Carroll's time in Europe coincided with a period of religious persecution for English and Irish Catholics, which likely influenced his strong advocacy for religious freedom in the new nation of America.
Upon returning to Maryland in 1768, Carroll was ordained a priest and began his ministry, focusing on the spiritual needs of the scattered and often secretive Catholic community in the region. He played a crucial role in negotiating the legal status of the Catholic Church in the newly formed United States, ensuring that Catholics would have the freedom to practise their faith without fear of persecution. Carroll's efforts culminated in the landmark "Maryland Experience," which served as a model for religious tolerance and freedom that influenced the drafting of the First Amendment of the US Constitution.
In 1789, Pope Pius VI established the Diocese of Baltimore, the first Catholic diocese in the United States, and appointed John Carroll as its first bishop. Carroll's leadership was instrumental in shaping the American Catholic Church. He worked tirelessly to establish a network of parishes, schools, and charitable institutions, as well as founding Georgetown College (now Georgetown University) in 1789, which remains the oldest Jesuit institution of higher learning in the United States.
Carroll's influence extended beyond the Catholic community. He was highly regarded by prominent figures of the time, including George Washington, with whom he corresponded regularly. Carroll's moderate political views and emphasis on religious tolerance aligned with the ideals of the new nation, and he was often consulted on matters pertaining to religion and public policy.
As the first Catholic bishop in the United States, John Carroll navigated a complex religious landscape marked by anti-Catholic sentiment and the legacy of religious persecution. Through his leadership, diplomacy, and commitment to religious freedom, he helped secure a place for Catholicism in the young nation and laid the foundation for the growth and acceptance of the Catholic Church in America. His legacy continues to inspire and guide the American Catholic community today.
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Carroll was one of the best-educated signers, having studied with Jesuits
Charles Carroll, also known as Charles Carroll of Carrollton or Charles Carroll III, was the only Roman Catholic among the signers of the Declaration of Independence. He was considered one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Carroll was born in 1737 in Annapolis, Maryland, and was the only child of Charles Carroll of Annapolis and his wife, Elizabeth Brooke. Despite being barred by Maryland statute from participating in political affairs due to his Catholic faith, Carroll became one of the wealthiest men in the colonies, owning extensive agricultural estates and providing capital to finance new enterprises.
Carroll received a Jesuit education for 17 years, both in the British colonies and in France. He attended a Jesuit preparatory school known as Bohemia Manor in Cecil County, Maryland, and later continued his studies in France at the College of St. Omer and the Lycée Louis-le-Grand in Paris, graduating in 1755. Carroll's Jesuit education equipped him with a strong foundation in various fields. As a result of his education, he became fluent in five languages.
Carroll's education and fluency in French proved valuable when he was chosen to join a diplomatic mission to Quebec in 1776. He, along with Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Chase, and his cousin John Carroll, negotiated with French-speaking Catholics in Quebec to seek assistance in the confrontation with Great Britain. Carroll's Catholic faith and language skills made him well-suited for these negotiations.
In addition to his diplomatic contributions, Carroll played a significant role in the political landscape of the time. Despite the legal restrictions on Catholics in Maryland, he became actively involved in the movement for independence. He represented the colony in various pre-revolutionary groups and served as a delegate to the Annapolis Convention, which functioned as Maryland's revolutionary government before the Declaration of Independence. Carroll's wealth, education, and political involvement made him a prominent figure in the history of the United States, particularly in the context of religious representation among the Founding Fathers.
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Carroll was an odd inclusion given the anti-Catholic sentiment of the time
The Founding Fathers did not want a national religion, but many believed, as Benjamin Franklin did, that "God governs the affairs of men." The religious roots of the Constitution and the First Amendment should be recognized, as two-thirds of the framers came from Calvinist backgrounds, and a majority were Presbyterians. The Westminster Catechism for children was pervasive in public education, and signing onto Reformation-based statements of faith was required for college study.
Of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, 32 were Episcopalians or Anglicans, the old state Church of England; 13 were Congregationalists; 12 were Presbyterians; two were Quakers; two were Unitarians; and one was Roman Catholic, Charles Carroll, who was the only Catholic signer. Carroll was an odd inclusion given the anti-Catholic sentiment of the time. He was one of the best-educated of the signers, having studied with the Jesuits in the British colonies and in France.
The Westminster Confession, which influenced the Constitution, had to be revised for the new nation because its provisions about government referred to royalty. Before the Revolutionary War, American Presbyterians saw themselves as breaking away from a corrupt and unresponsive European mother church and called their new document a "Constitution" before the political founders did. The revisers met just down the street from Independence Hall on the weekend before the Constitutional Convention started and sent around a draft for "ratification" at the same time as the ratification process for the Constitution.
The new version of the Westminster Confession stated that civil magistrates may not "in the least, interfere in matters of faith," but that it is their duty to "protect the church of our common Lord, without giving preference [to a particular denomination of religion]." This language is echoed in the First Amendment: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
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Two-thirds of the Constitution's framers came from Calvinist backgrounds
The Founding Fathers of the United States were a group of late-18th-century American revolutionary leaders who united the Thirteen Colonies, oversaw the War of Independence from Great Britain, established the United States of America, and crafted a framework of government for the new nation. The Founding Fathers include those who wrote and signed the United States Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution of the United States.
The Constitution had 39 signatories, and of these, two-thirds came from Calvinist backgrounds, with a majority being Presbyterians. The Westminster Catechism for children was pervasive in public education, and signing a Reformation-based statement of faith was required to attend college. One-third of the signers of the Constitution were members of the Presbyterian Church, and many Anglican Church members were influenced by it. The Westminster Confession had to be revised for the new nation, as its provisions about government referred to royalty.
The Founding Fathers did not want a national religion, but many believed, as Benjamin Franklin did, that "God governs the affairs of men." The only Catholic signer of the Constitution was Charles Carroll, which was notable given the anti-Catholic sentiment of the time. Carroll was one of the best-educated signers, having studied with the Jesuits in the British colonies and in France.
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Frequently asked questions
There was one Roman Catholic signer of the US Constitution: Charles Carroll.
Yes, in addition to Charles Carroll, who was the only Roman Catholic, there were 32 Episcopalians or Anglicans, 13 Congregationalists, 12 Presbyterians, two Quakers, and two Unitarians.
The Founding Fathers did not want a national religion, but many believed, as Benjamin Franklin did, that "God governs the affairs of men." At least half of the Founding Fathers studied "divinity" at university, and some were very active in their churches.
The religious beliefs of the Founding Fathers influenced the Constitution in that it contributed to the paradigm of religious liberty and establishment. The First Amendment states: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
