Michael Brooks
A leaked memo from the FBI's Richmond office revealed that the agency considered certain radical-traditionalist Catholics as violent extremists, potentially linked to the far-right and white nationalist movements. The FBI proposed infiltrating Catholic churches and developing sources within the Catholic clergy and church leadership to monitor and report on suspicious activity. This has sparked concerns about religious liberties and civil rights violations, with the FBI accused of targeting Catholics and misusing domestic violent extremism resources. While the FBI has denied any malicious intent, the incident has led to calls for transparency and raised questions about potential anti-Catholic bias within the organization.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| FBI's motive | To tackle the threat of domestic terrorism |
| Targeted group | Traditional Catholics, specifically "radical-traditionalist Catholics" (RTCs) |
| Actions taken | Used at least one undercover agent, proposed developing sources among Catholic clergy and church leadership, interviewed a priest and choir director |
| FBI's response | The document was removed from its system, the matter is under review, no malicious intent to target Catholics |
| Outcome | FBI Director subpoenaed, FBI must take decisive action to rebuild public trust |
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What You'll Learn
FBI's Richmond memorandum
The FBI's Richmond memorandum, also known as the Richmond memo, refers to a leaked internal document from the FBI's Richmond Field Office that attempted to link "radical-traditionalist Catholics" to violent extremism. The memo was brought to light by whistleblower Kyle Seraphin in February 2023.
The Richmond memo was based on a single investigation in which the subject self-described as a "radical-traditionalist Catholic" (RTC). However, FBI employees could not define what constituted an RTC during the preparation, editing, or reviewing of the memo. This single investigation became the basis for an FBI-wide memorandum that warned about the dangers of "radical" Catholics.
The memo proposed that the FBI should infiltrate Catholic churches as a form of ""threat mitigation." It also revealed that the FBI had sought to develop sources within the Catholic Church, including clergy and church leadership. The FBI interviewed a priest and choir director affiliated with a Catholic church in Richmond, Virginia, to inform on the parishioner under investigation.
The existence of the Richmond memo has raised concerns about the FBI's overreach and the potential violation of the religious liberties of millions of Catholic Americans. Senators and members of Congress have called for transparency and accountability from the FBI, with some arguing that the memo is part of a broader crisis of FBI leadership and the weaponization of federal law enforcement against ordinary citizens.
Following the disclosure of the memo, FBI Richmond's senior leadership met with members of the clergy, including Bishop Barry Knestout of the Diocese of Richmond, to mend the FBI's relationship with the Catholic community. The FBI has also stated its commitment to cooperating with Congress's oversight requests.
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Undercover agents in Catholic churches
The FBI has faced scrutiny for its use of undercover agents to investigate Catholic churches and their congregations. A leaked internal memorandum from the FBI's Richmond Field Office, dated January 23, 2023, revealed that the FBI intended to infiltrate Catholic churches and develop sources within the Catholic community. The memo, titled "Interest of Racially or Ethnically Motivated Violent Extremists in Radical-Traditionalist Catholic Ideology Almost Certainly Presents New Mitigation Opportunities," suggested a link between "radical-traditionalist Catholics" and "the far-right white nationalist movement."
The memo proposed "tripwire or source development" within parishes offering the Traditional Latin Mass and online communities. It also outlined plans to engage in outreach with religious institutions in the Richmond area to "sensitize congregations to the warning signs of radicalization." The FBI intended to enlist their assistance in reporting suspicious activity.
In response to the revelations, the House Judiciary Committee and its Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government launched an investigation. The Committee issued a subpoena to FBI Director Christopher Wray, requesting all documents related to the FBI's actions. The Committee's report, released in September 2024, found that the memorandum was accessible to other FBI field offices and that the FBI had interviewed a priest and choir director affiliated with a Catholic church in Richmond, Virginia.
While the FBI denied any malicious intent to target Catholics, the incident raised concerns about religious liberties and the freedom of Americans to exercise their First Amendment rights. The FBI's actions were criticized as a form of "weaponization of law enforcement against traditional Catholics." The Committee's report recommended that the FBI take decisive action to rebuild public trust and protect the religious freedoms of Catholic Americans.
This incident is not an isolated event, as the FBI has previously conducted similar surveillance operations in the early 2000s following the 9/11 attacks, infiltrating student groups and mosques. The use of undercover agents and covert surveillance operations by the FBI continues to spark debates about civil liberties, religious freedom, and the role of federal law enforcement in investigating potential threats.
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Violation of religious liberties
The FBI has faced scrutiny for allegedly targeting Catholics and violating their religious liberties. In April 2023, a subpoena was issued to FBI Director Christopher Wray requesting documents related to a memorandum that indicated potential religious bias and the violation of civil liberties.
The memorandum, originating from the FBI's Richmond Field Office, labelled certain "radical-traditionalist Catholics" (RTCs) as violent extremists and proposed infiltrating Catholic churches as a form of "threat mitigation." Whistleblower disclosures revealed that the memo was accessible to other FBI field offices, and the FBI interviewed a priest and choir director from a Catholic church in Richmond, Virginia. This indicates that the FBI's investigation may have been more widespread than initially thought.
The FBI's actions have been condemned by politicians and religious leaders, with Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares and 19 other state attorneys general requesting full transparency and information regarding the memorandum. The memorandum's categorization of Catholics based on their religious beliefs and practices, such as their views on sex and marriage, has been deemed unconstitutional and a violation of Americans' First Amendment rights.
While the FBI has denied any malicious intent to target Catholics specifically, the situation has sparked concerns about government overreach and the protection of religious freedoms. The FBI's internal review found no evidence of investigative steps taken as a result of the memorandum, but the public remains concerned about the potential infringement of the religious liberties of Catholic Americans.
To address these concerns, there have been calls for increased transparency and accountability from the FBI, with some demanding a public apology and action to rebuild trust. The situation underscores the importance of safeguarding the religious liberties of all Americans, regardless of their faith.
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Anti-Catholic bias
In April 2023, the FBI faced scrutiny from the House Judiciary Committee and its Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government. The Committee released an interim staff report revealing that the FBI had targeted Catholic Americans as potential domestic terrorists, specifically labelling certain individuals as "radical-traditionalist Catholics" or RTCs. This was based on a leaked internal memorandum from the FBI's Richmond Field Office, which outlined a plan to infiltrate Catholic churches and develop sources within the Catholic community, including clergy and church leadership. The memorandum also suggested that violent extremists had sought out Catholic churches, and it proposed to engage in outreach with religious institutions to sensitize them to the warning signs of radicalization.
The FBI's actions have been characterized as exhibiting anti-Catholic bias and a violation of religious liberties. Whistleblower disclosures revealed that the memorandum was accessible to other FBI field offices, and the agency has been criticized for its lack of transparency and resistance to the Committee's requests for information. In response to the revelations, Chairman Jim Jordan of the House Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government issued a subpoena to FBI Director Christopher Wray, requesting all documents related to the FBI's actions.
The FBI has since retracted the memorandum and stated that it found no malicious intent to target Catholics or any other religious group in its internal review. However, the Committee's report noted that the FBI's Richmond office has not issued a public apology or taken action to rebuild public trust. Additionally, there are concerns that the FBI's investigation of traditionalist Catholics may have been more widespread than initially suspected.
The FBI's actions have sparked outrage and criticism, particularly from Republicans and Catholic organizations. Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares and 19 other state attorneys general joined a coalition demanding more information and an end to the targeting of Catholics. Richmond Bishop Barry Knestout also condemned the memorandum, emphasizing the constitutional protections afforded to people of all faith groups.
While the FBI claims it does not categorize investigations based on religious beliefs, the existence of the Richmond memorandum and subsequent revelations have raised concerns about potential anti-Catholic bias within the agency. The situation underscores the importance of safeguarding Americans' civil liberties and constitutional rights, including the free exercise of religion without government interference.
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Whistleblower leaks
A whistleblower, identified as Kyle Seraphin, leaked an internal FBI memorandum in February 2023, revealing the agency's efforts to target and investigate traditionalist Catholics. The memorandum, originating from the FBI's Richmond Field Office, labelled certain "radical-traditionalist Catholics" (RTCs) as violent extremists and proposed infiltrating Catholic churches to mitigate this perceived threat.
The whistleblower leak prompted oversight by the House Judiciary Committee and its Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government. Their investigation uncovered that the FBI relied on at least one undercover agent to gather information about traditionalist Catholics and their potential links to far-right white nationalist movements. The FBI even proposed developing sources within Catholic parishes and clergy, including interviewing a priest and choir director in Richmond, Virginia.
The Committee's report, released in September 2024, concluded that the FBI's actions violated the religious liberties of millions of Catholic Americans. It also revealed that the memorandum was accessible to other FBI field offices, indicating a wider scope of concern. Despite the FBI's claims of no malicious intent, the Committee's findings underscore the need for transparency and accountability to prevent government overreach and protect Americans' civil liberties.
While the FBI retracted the memorandum and stated that it was removed from its systems, the damage to public trust has been significant. The FBI has faced strong criticism, especially from Republicans, for targeting a specific religious group and infringing on First Amendment rights. The situation has led to subpoenas and demands for further information and transparency from various state attorneys general, members of Congress, and other officials.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, according to a leaked memo from February 2023, the FBI's Richmond office used at least one undercover agent to target traditionalist Catholics. The memo has since been retracted.
The memo, titled "Interest of Racially or Ethnically Motivated Violent Extremists in Radical-Traditionalist Catholic Ideology Almost Certainly Presents New Mitigation Opportunities", identified certain individuals as "radical-traditionalist Catholics" and potential "racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists".
The FBI has denied any anti-Catholic bias and said that it "does not target people of any faith because of their religious beliefs". The FBI also said that the memo "does not meet the exacting standards" of the agency and has since been removed from the system.
The public response has been one of outrage, with 19 state attorneys general, including Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, demanding that the FBI provide all documents related to the production of the memo. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has also demanded full transparency from the FBI.
