Grace Thompson
Stephen Colbert is an American comedian and late-night talk show host who is known for his Catholic faith. He has been described as a fallen away Catholic who has since returned to the faith. Colbert has been praised for his knowledge of Catholic teachings and his ability to defend his faith, such as when he defended the authenticity of the Gospels against an atheist guest. However, some of his views, such as his support for gay marriage and abortion, have been criticized as going against Church teachings. Despite this, Colbert has been called the most subversive Catholic voice in late-night TV, with his humour being described as grounded in the Church's teachings on human dignity, the common good, and concern for the marginalized.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Stephen Colbert's profession | Late-night show host and comedian |
| Colbert's religious affiliation | Catholic |
| Colbert's views | Supports gay marriage and abortion rights |
| Defends the authenticity of the Gospels | |
| Advocates for the importance of Catholicism in the scientific revolution and the Big Bang theory | |
| Colbert's show | The Late Show with Stephen Colbert |
| The Colbert Report | |
| The Daily Show |
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What You'll Learn
Stephen Colbert's Catholic faith
Stephen Colbert is a serious Catholic who has taught Sunday school at his home church, St. Cassian in Montclair, New Jersey. Colbert has been described as a "fallen-away" Catholic, who has since returned to the faith. He has been referred to as one of America's foremost late-night show hosts and comedians, and his Catholic faith has been a notable aspect of his public life.
Colbert's humour and criticism of the Trump administration have been grounded in the Catholic Church's teachings on human dignity, the common good, and concern for the poor and marginalized. He has been described as a subversive Catholic voice in late-night TV. Colbert has also discussed his faith with other public figures, such as Joe Biden, and has interviewed Neil deGrasse Tyson, bringing up how Catholicism was important for the scientific revolution and the Big Bang.
Colbert has also had a mystical experience that brought him back to the Catholic faith. He has shared this part of his faith journey, describing a dramatic, once-in-a-lifetime encounter where he felt sure he was in the presence of God. This experience reminded him of God's abiding presence.
Some Catholics have expressed disagreement with Colbert's views, which they perceive as going against Church teachings. For example, Colbert has expressed support for gay marriage and abortion rights, which are contrary to official Catholic doctrine. Despite this, Colbert has defended his faith and the authenticity of the Gospels against atheist guests.
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Colbert's defence of the Catholic Church
Stephen Colbert is one of America's foremost late-night show hosts and comedians. He has been open about his faith as a Catholic and the importance he places in Christ's teachings. While hosting "The Colbert Report", he upheld the inerrancy of Scripture during an interview with Bart Ehrman, author of "Jesus, Interrupted". On another occasion, he defended the authenticity of the Gospels against an atheist guest. He has also cited Chapter 25 of the Gospel of Matthew to criticise Jeb Bush's assertion that only Christian refugees from Syria should be allowed into the United States.
Colbert has also engaged in lighthearted but attention-grabbing defences of core Catholic doctrines, such as the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. He has been described as a "wealth of knowledge" who could be a "great evangelizer" for the Catholic Church. In one instance, he invited his guest, who was raised Catholic but identified as agnostic, to return to the Church, saying, "Come on back, Bill! The door is always open! The golden ticket, right before you."
Colbert has also brought his Catholic perspective to discussions of current events. For example, he has criticised Attorney General Pam Bondi for citing a torn cornea as her reason for missing a speaking engagement at a summit on sex trafficking, and he has torn into Trump-Epstein headlines.
Despite his defence of the Catholic Church, some Catholics have criticised Colbert for holding views that go against Church teachings, such as his support for gay marriage and abortion. However, others have defended him, arguing that his views on these issues are intellectually consistent with being Catholic and that he is simply a "sinner on his faith journey towards Heaven".
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Colbert's views on gay marriage
Stephen Colbert is a self-proclaimed Catholic; however, his views on gay marriage go against the Church's teachings. He has publicly supported gay marriage and abortion rights, stating that he would like to legalize them as options but doesn't personally condone them. This stance has caused controversy among Catholics, with some considering him a "lost Catholic" or a "cafeteria Catholic".
Colbert has celebrated the Supreme Court's decision to mandate gay marriage, dedicating a YouTube video to the topic titled "June Is a Lovely Month for a Wedding." In the video, he congratulated the LGBTQ+ community, saying, "You now have the right to marry in all 50 states. So if you’re a homosexual and living in North Dakota, all your problems are solved!” He also offered a humorous take on the dissenting justices, mocking them for grunting like cavemen and muttering, "Gay bad!"
Colbert's support for gay marriage has been a consistent theme in his work. He has invited prominent figures, such as David Boies and Theodore B. Olson, onto his show to discuss their legal arguments in favor of gay marriage. Colbert's stance on this issue seems to be rooted in his belief in equality and equal protection under the law for the LGBTQ+ community.
While some Catholics have been critical of Colbert's views, arguing that they go against Church doctrine, others have appreciated his defense of gay marriage and abortion rights. His ability to discuss these topics with humor and satire has likely contributed to his popularity as a late-night show host and comedian.
Overall, Colbert's views on gay marriage are informed by his Catholic faith but also reflect a more liberal and inclusive perspective. He advocates for legal recognition and equal rights while navigating the complexities of personal beliefs and religious doctrine.
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Colbert's criticism of Trump
Stephen Colbert, one of America's foremost late-night show hosts and comedians, has been an outspoken critic of former US President Donald Trump. In July 2025, Colbert's show "The Late Show" was cancelled by CBS, citing 'financial reasons'. However, many suspected that the real reason for the cancellation was Colbert's criticism of Trump, with the timing of the announcement drawing suspicion from media watchers and Democrats.
Colbert has not held back in his criticism of Trump, often ripping into the former president with relish. In one instance, Colbert mocked Trump's dealings with the European Union, claiming that Trump was wasting time playing golf instead of focusing on important issues. On another occasion, Colbert addressed a presidential memo about religious conversions in the workplace, stating that converting people to one's religion is not always a good idea and making a sarcastic comment about the Spanish Inquisition.
Colbert has also been vocal about his disagreement with Trump's celebration of the cancellation of "The Late Show". In response to a post by Trump, Colbert said, "Go fk yourself". He also criticized Paramount's decision to settle with Trump in a voter interference lawsuit, referring to the settlement as a "big, fat bribe".
In addition to his criticism of Trump, Colbert has also taken aim at Trump's associates, such as Attorney General Pam Bondi. In one instance, Colbert used a montage of Three Stooges eye-poking clips to mock Bondi for citing a torn cornea as a reason for missing a speaking engagement on sex trafficking.
While Colbert has gained support for his criticism of Trump, his views on certain social issues have caused controversy among Catholics. Some Catholics have criticized Colbert for his support of gay marriage and abortion rights, which go against the teachings of the Catholic Church. Despite this, Colbert has defended his faith and has been praised by some Catholics for his knowledge of Catholicism and its importance in various aspects of culture and history.
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Colbert's teaching at Sunday school
Stephen Colbert is a self-proclaimed Catholic who has taught Sunday school at his home church, St. Cassian in Montclair, New Jersey. Colbert's Catholic faith has been a topic of discussion among his fans and critics alike, with some labelling him as a "shite Catholic" due to his liberal views on gay marriage and abortion.
Colbert's teachings at Sunday school are not publicly known, but it can be assumed that they would be rooted in the Catholic Church's doctrines and beliefs. As a Catholic, Colbert has shown that he is well-versed in the Church's social and ethical teachings, often incorporating them into his humour and criticism of political administrations. For example, his humour has been grounded in the Church's teachings on human dignity, the common good, and concern for the poor and marginalized.
Colbert has also been praised for his ability to defend his faith. In one instance, he defended the authenticity of the Gospels against an atheist guest, showcasing his knowledge of Catholicism and its roots in works like "Lord of the Rings". Additionally, Colbert has brought up how Catholicism was important for the scientific revolution and the Big Bang theory.
While Colbert's views on certain social issues may differ from official Catholic doctrine, he has been open about his faith journey and his experience as a "fallen away" Catholic who returned to the faith. In an interview with Father James Martin, Colbert shared his mystical experience that brought him back to Catholicism. Colbert's conversation with Martin centred around the idea that a mystical experience is one where you feel overwhelmed by God's presence, and it can come during prayer or in a dramatic, once-in-a-lifetime encounter.
Colbert's impact as a Catholic figure in the public eye has been recognised. Politicians like Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders have questioned the motives behind the cancellation of his show, and many have lamented the loss of a "highly visible, intelligent, and articulate voice of dissent" in late-night television.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Stephen Colbert is a Catholic. He has taught Sunday school at his home church, St. Cassian in Montclair, New Jersey.
Stephen Colbert's show was called "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert".
"The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" was on CBS.
CBS cited 'financial reasons' for the cancellation of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert". However, many suspect that the real reason was due to Colbert's criticism of the Trump administration.
Stephen Colbert has stated that he would like to legalise gay marriage and medical abortion as options, but doesn't condone them.
