Sarah Mitchell
The United States is home to a diverse range of religious groups, with Christianity being the most widely professed religion. While the majority of Americans are Evangelicals, Mainline Protestants, or Catholics, the country cannot be defined as a Catholic nation. As of 2017, Catholics made up approximately 22% of the population, constituting the largest religious denomination in terms of membership. The history of the Catholic Church in the US is deeply rooted in immigration, with waves of immigrants from predominantly Catholic countries contributing to its growth. The geographic spread of Catholics varies, with higher concentrations in certain states, such as Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New Jersey.
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What You'll Learn
Catholic demographics in the US
Catholicism is the second-largest religious grouping in the United States, with 23% of the population as of 2018. The United States has the fourth-largest Catholic population in the world, after Brazil, Mexico, and the Philippines. The Catholic Church in the United States is part of the worldwide Catholic Church and is in communion with the pope in Rome. The number of Catholics in the US surged in the 1840s with the arrival of German, Irish, and other European Catholics, and after 1890, Italians and Poles formed the largest numbers of new Catholic immigrants.
The distribution of Catholics in the US results from historical patterns of migration, with certain states having higher populations of Hispanics, whose most common religious identity is Catholic. Rhode Island is the state with the largest Catholic population, at 42%, followed by Massachusetts with 34%, and New Jersey with 34%. The Northeast and Midwest, as well as southern Louisiana, have the highest concentrations of White Catholics.
Catholics are one of the largest religious groups in the United States, outnumbering any single Protestant denomination. About 29% of U.S. Catholics say they attend Mass weekly or more, and 51% say they pray daily. The median age of White Catholics is 54, while Hispanic Catholics have a median age of 42. More than one-third of U.S. Catholics (35%) have a bachelor's degree, and about half of Asian Catholics (53%) have a college degree, compared to 20% of Hispanic Catholics.
In terms of political affiliation, about half of Catholic registered voters (53%) identify with or lean toward the Republican Party, while 43% affiliate with the Democratic Party. However, partisan affiliation varies by race and ethnicity. For example, 61% of White Catholic registered voters identify with or lean toward the Republican Party, while 56% of Hispanic Catholics favor the Democratic Party.
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Catholicism's cultural impact
Catholicism has had a significant cultural, social, and political impact on the United States. The United States has the fourth-largest Catholic population in the world, after Brazil, Mexico, and the Philippines.
Language and Place Names
The Spanish and French named many settlements in the colonial period after Catholic saints or in reference to Catholic religious symbolism. These names were retained even after these places became part of the United States, especially in California (Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento, etc.), Texas (San Antonio, San Juan, etc.), New Mexico (Santa Fe), and Florida (St. Augustine).
Immigration
The vast majority of Catholics in the United States today are the result of unprecedented waves of immigration from primarily Catholic countries and regions during the 19th and 20th centuries. Irish, German, Italian, Polish, French Canadian, Portuguese, Lebanese (Maronite), and Hispanic immigrants contributed to the growth of Catholicism in the US. By 1906, Roman Catholics constituted an estimated 17% of the population, a significant increase from the mere 2% in 1790.
Education
Italian Jesuit expatriates founded colleges in San Francisco, Santa Clara, Denver, Seattle, and Spokane to meet the cultural and religious needs of people in the American West.
Healthcare
Catholic healthcare providers like the Sisters of Mercy played an integral role in caring for the sick and vulnerable, leaving a lasting impact on the American medical establishment.
Politics
Catholicism has also influenced American politics. Two Catholics, John F. Kennedy and Joe Biden, have been President of the United States. Additionally, Catholic Democrats are more likely than Catholic Republicans to view Pope Francis favorably.
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Anti-Catholic movements
Anti-Catholic sentiment in the United States has a long history, dating back to the colonial era when Protestant settlers from Europe brought anti-Catholic attitudes to the Thirteen Colonies of British North America. This prejudice persisted and even intensified in the 19th century, with the rise of nativist movements that stoked fears of Catholic immigrants and led to mob violence, property destruction, and the killing of Catholics. The Know-Nothing Party of the mid-1850s and the American Protective Association of the 1890s are notable examples of these nativist, anti-Catholic groups.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, anti-Catholic sentiment continued to find expression in various forms. Lurid myths about Catholic sexual slavery and infanticide spread, and demagogues incited fear and hatred towards waves of impoverished German and Irish Catholic immigrants. The growing number of Catholics in the United States, fuelled by immigration from Italy and Eastern Europe, sparked a renewed anti-Catholic movement around 1910. This period saw the establishment of anti-Catholic newspapers and organizations, such as the Missionary Baptist preacher Reverend Joseph A. Scarboro's weekly newspaper, *The Liberator*, in Arkansas.
Anti-Catholic prejudice also influenced politics. In 1928, Democrat Al Smith became the first Roman Catholic to gain a major party's nomination for president, and his religion became a contentious issue. Lutheran and Southern Baptist ministers warned that Smith would be taking orders from the Pope, threatening national autonomy. Ministers across the country, particularly in strongholds of Lutheran, Baptist, and Fundamentalist churches, spoke out against Smith, and he faced significant opposition.
The separation of church and state, as established in the U.S. Constitution, was intended to protect religious freedoms and prevent discrimination. However, even this did not entirely eradicate anti-Catholic sentiment. The Ku Klux Klan, for example, is a vehemently anti-Catholic organization that has influenced political figures and legal issues, such as the Oregon School Law of 1922, which aimed to eliminate parochial schools, including Catholic schools.
While anti-Catholic sentiment declined in the 1960s, particularly after John F. Kennedy became the first Catholic president, it has not been eradicated. Traces of anti-Catholicism persist in the media, popular culture, and even in politics, with the QAnon movement and other far-right groups espousing anti-Catholic sentiments. Additionally, intra-ecclesial conflicts and controversies within the Catholic Church, such as sex abuse scandals, have also contributed to a complex landscape of anti-Catholic sentiment in the United States.
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Catholic immigration history
Catholicism has had a significant cultural, social, and political impact on the United States. The United States has the fourth-largest Catholic population in the world, after Brazil, Mexico, and the Philippines.
The history of Catholic immigration to the United States is a long and complex one, dating back to the colonial period. During this time, the Spanish and French colonies, which later became part of the United States, had a significant Catholic presence. Many settlements were named after Catholic saints or symbols, such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Santa Fe. These names were retained even after these territories became part of the United States.
In the 19th century, unprecedented waves of immigration from predominantly Catholic countries and regions, including Ireland, Germany, Italy, Poland, and French Canada, significantly contributed to the growth of Catholicism in the United States. Between 1815 and 1865, 1,683,791 Irish Catholics immigrated to the US, fleeing the devastating potato famine that struck Ireland in 1845. The Irish constituted over one-third of all immigrants to the United States during this period. Similarly, German Catholics constituted a large portion of immigrants before 1900.
However, Catholic immigrants often faced hostility and discrimination in the United States, which was predominantly established by English-speaking Protestants of Northern European ancestry. Statesmen and politicians of the time expressed fears that Catholic immigrants were "less than civilized" and "less than white," and they were often the target of nativist and racist backlash. Despite this, Catholics persevered and demonstrated their patriotism during World War I, their commitment to charity, and their dedication to democratic values, gradually gaining greater acceptance in American society.
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Catholic political preferences
Catholicism is the second-largest religious grouping in the United States, making up 23% of the population as of 2018. The United States also has the fourth-largest Catholic population in the world. Given this significant Catholic demographic, it is important to understand Catholic political preferences in the United States.
Historically, there have been anti-Catholic political movements in the United States, such as the Know Nothings in the 1840s, the American Protective Association in the 1890s, and the second Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s. Despite this, Catholics have demonstrated their patriotism, commitment to charity, and dedication to democratic values, leading to a decrease in anti-Catholic sentiment.
In terms of political affiliation, there is a diversity of political opinions among Catholic voters in the United States. According to Pew Research Center polls from 2018 and 2019, Catholic voters are split between the Republican Party (48%) and the Democratic Party (47%). However, these preferences vary by race and ethnicity. A majority of White Catholic voters (61%) lean towards the Republican Party, while most Hispanic Catholic voters (68%) identify with or lean towards the Democratic Party.
On specific policy issues, Catholics often align more with their political party than with the teachings of the Catholic Church. For example, on the issue of abortion, despite the Catholic Church's formal opposition, Catholic Democrats (77%) largely support abortion rights, while Catholic Republicans (63%) oppose it. A similar divide exists on the issue of immigration, with Catholic Democrats opposing and Catholic Republicans favoring the expansion of the wall along the US-Mexico border.
Catholics, like many other religious groups, prioritize a president who leads a moral and ethical life over one who shares their religious beliefs. They view religious organizations as positive forces in society but believe they should stay out of politics.
In conclusion, while Catholicism is a significant religious presence in the United States, Catholic voters exhibit a range of political preferences and opinions. Their political choices are influenced by their racial and ethnic identities, and they navigate their religious teachings and political affiliations in a complex and diverse manner.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the United States is not a Catholic country. While the United States has the fourth-largest Catholic population in the world, after Brazil, Mexico, and the Philippines, the country is home to various religious groups.
Christianity is the most widely professed religion in the United States, with the majority of Americans being Evangelicals, Mainline Protestants, or Catholics.
According to various sources, the percentage of Catholics in the United States ranges from 22% to 25%.
Rhode Island is the state with the largest Catholic population, with 42% of its residents identifying as Catholic. The other states with high Catholic populations include Massachusetts, New Jersey, Connecticut, New York, and New Hampshire.
While there were Catholic Americans early in the history of the United States, the majority of Catholics in the country today are a result of immigration waves from predominantly Catholic countries during the 19th and 20th centuries.
