Grace Thompson
Anti-Catholic sentiment in the United States has a long history, stretching back to the colonial era when Protestant settlers brought anti-Catholic attitudes from Europe. This prejudice persisted and intensified with the influx of Catholic immigrants in the 19th century, particularly from Ireland and Germany. The establishment of a secular republic that separated church and state did not eradicate anti-Catholic sentiments, and they continued to influence American society well into the 20th century. John F. Kennedy's election as the first Catholic US president in 1960 marked a turning point, with anti-Catholic sentiment declining in the 1960s. However, anti-Catholic hate crimes and attacks on Catholic churches and symbols persist in the United States, with a recent increase in such incidents reported by the FBI and Catholic organizations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Anti-Catholicism in the US dates back to | Colonial history |
| First type of anti-Catholic rhetoric | Theological heritage of the Protestant Reformation and the European wars of religion |
| Second type of anti-Catholic rhetoric | Xenophobic, ethnocentric, nativist, and racist sentiments and distrust of increasing waves of Catholic immigrants |
| Anti-Catholic fears reached a peak in | The nineteenth century |
| Reason for the peak in anti-Catholic fears | Influx of Catholic immigrants |
| Countries the immigrants came from | Ireland, Italy, Poland, Germany, Austria and Mexico |
| US President who promoted tolerance for all religious denominations | George Washington |
| US President who won despite anti-Catholic sentiment | John F. Kennedy |
| Year when anti-Catholic sentiment declined in the US | 1960s |
| Year when anti-Catholic hate crimes rose | 2013 |
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What You'll Learn
Anti-Catholic riots in Philadelphia in 1844
Anti-Catholic sentiment in the United States has a long and dark history. While it declined in the 1960s, particularly after John F. Kennedy became the first Catholic US president, it has not been eradicated. In fact, anti-Catholic hate crimes against persons and property continue to occur.
One of the most notable examples of anti-Catholic riots in American history took place in Philadelphia in 1844. These riots, also known as the "Nativist Riots," were part of a larger wave of violence that had been sweeping through American cities since the early 1830s. However, the 1844 riots stood out for their severity and duration.
The riots in Philadelphia were fueled by nativist sentiment and xenophobia, particularly towards Irish and German Catholic immigrants who were pouring into the United States at a rapid pace during this time. On May 3, 1844, the American Republican Party, a Protestant nativist group, held a meeting in a predominantly Irish part of the Kensington District of Philadelphia. The meeting sparked clashes between local Irish Catholics and nativists, with inflammatory remarks and violence spilling out into the streets. The nativists were shot at by people in the windows of nearby buildings, and one or two were reportedly killed.
The riots continued throughout the spring and summer, with nativist newspapers and political parties likely sustaining the fury. In May and July, anti-immigrant mobs attacked Irish-American homes and Roman Catholic churches, burning the churches and hunting down victims. The violence was eventually suppressed by the militia, with an estimated 5,000 troops used to stop the riots. The riots had a significant impact, leading to debates about new methods of maintaining order and contributing to the consolidation of Philadelphia County in 1854.
The Philadelphia Riots of 1844 were a dark chapter in American history, showcasing the dangerous combination of nativism, xenophobia, and religious intolerance. They serve as a reminder of the enduring challenges faced by immigrant and religious communities in the United States.
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Anti-Catholic sentiment during Kennedy's 1960 election campaign
John F. Kennedy, the Democratic candidate in the 1960 United States presidential election, was the second Catholic candidate in US history. The first, Al Smith, had run in 1928 and faced virulent anti-Catholic rhetoric, including from prominent Baptist ministers. By 1960, anti-Catholic sentiment was less overt, but it remained a significant obstacle for Kennedy.
Protestant groups in Kentucky and Michigan announced their opposition to Kennedy's candidacy. Methodist, Baptist, and Pentecostal ministers pledged to oppose the election of a Catholic to the presidency with all the powers they had. Some Protestants, especially Southern Baptists and Lutherans, feared that having a Catholic in the White House would give undue influence to the Pope in the nation's affairs. Radio evangelists, such as G. E. Lowman, wrote that:
> "Each person has the right to their own religious belief... [but] .. . the Roman Catholic ecclesiastical system demands the first allegiance of every true member, and says in a conflict between church and state, the church must prevail".
In response to this anti-Catholic sentiment, Kennedy gave a speech in September 1960 to a group of Southern Baptist clergy in Houston, Texas. He said:
> "I am not the Catholic candidate for president. I am the Democratic party's candidate for president, who happens also to be a Catholic. I do not speak for my church on public matters, and the church does not speak for me."
Kennedy's speech settled the issue for some non-Catholics. However, it sparked criticism from Catholic church leaders, who said that Kennedy never reconciled the role of personal faith in public life. They believed he had simply said what was necessary to win the election.
Kennedy's opponent, Richard Nixon, also sought to exploit anti-Catholic sentiment during the campaign. While Nixon professed publicly that he would not raise the issue of his opponent’s faith, his actions behind the scenes spoke differently. Nixon ran a widespread, robust, anti-Catholic, and pro-Protestant campaign under the radar. He tried to stoke Protestant fears that a Catholic president would be bad for America.
Despite the anti-Catholic sentiment during the campaign, Kennedy ultimately defeated Nixon to become the first Roman Catholic US president. His victory showed that a Catholic could win in a heavily Protestant state. By the time of his election, anti-Catholic sentiment had declined in the US, particularly after Kennedy became the first Catholic president. However, traces of it persisted in the media and popular culture.
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The Pope as the anti-Christ and whore of Babylon
Anti-Catholicism has a long and dark history in the United States. Pilgrims and Puritans who settled in New England brought with them the idea that the Pope was the "anti-Christ" and the whore of Babylon. While the First Amendment and the "No Religious Test" clause of Article VI of the U.S. Constitution were meant to uphold religious tolerance, anti-Catholic sentiment persisted.
The fear of the Pope as the anti-Christ and whore of Babylon was a significant aspect of this prejudice. This belief can be traced back to the early Protestant Reformers, including Martin Luther, John Calvin, and John Knox, who associated the Catholic Church with the fallen church in Bible prophecy. The idea was later propagated by writers such as Ellen G. White, who described the Catholic Church as a nefarious antagonist against God's true church.
The interpretation of the Whore of Babylon in the Book of Revelation has been a subject of debate. Some argue that the reference to "Rome" in Revelation 17:9 indicates the Catholic Church, as Rome is known as the city on seven hills. However, it is important to note that Vatican City, the headquarters of the Catholic Church, is not built on seven hills. Additionally, there is no mention of the Catholic Church in the Book of Revelation as the Whore of Babylon when interpreted literally.
Despite these interpretations, the Catholic Church has consistently defended its teachings and preached the Trinity and Jesus Christ. Popes such as John Paul II, Benedict, and Francis have emphasized the centrality of Christ in their writings and addresses.
While anti-Catholic sentiment in the United States has decreased over time, particularly after John F. Kennedy became the first Catholic president, traces of it still persist. The complex history of anti-Catholicism in the United States has had a significant impact on the country's religious landscape and continues to shape the dialogue around religious tolerance and understanding.
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Catholics targeted by the Ku Klux Klan in the early 20th century
Anti-Catholic sentiment in the United States has a long history, dating back to the colonial era when Protestant settlers brought anti-Catholic attitudes from Europe. This prejudice persisted and evolved over the centuries, influenced by various religious, social, and political factors. The Ku Klux Klan, with its roots in racism and xenophobia, played a significant role in targeting Catholics, particularly in the early 20th century.
The second wave of the Ku Klux Klan emerged in the 1920s, and it differed from the first wave, which primarily focused on oppressing Black Americans in the South. This new wave of the KKK spread across the United States, including the Pacific Northwest, where they gained a strong foothold in Oregon and Washington. The KKK members saw themselves as "real" Americans and protectors of their version of the American way of life, which included white, Protestant supremacy.
In the early 20th century, the KKK directed their hatred towards Catholics, who they saw as a threat to their ideal of a homogeneous America. This sentiment was driven by the increasing waves of Catholic immigrants, particularly from Ireland, Italy, and other European countries. The KKK's anti-Catholicism manifested in various ways, including political rhetoric and attempts to pass anti-Catholic legislation. One of their targets was the Catholic school system. In Oregon, the KKK successfully backed the passing of the Oregon School Bill in 1922, which aimed to close private Catholic schools and send children to public schools, where they would receive a state-mandated curriculum. This was seen as a way to "Americanize" Catholic children and reduce their religious instruction. However, a similar initiative in Washington State, known as Initiative 49, was rejected by voters in 1924, marking a decline in the KKK's influence in the region.
The KKK's anti-Catholic agenda also intersected with politics. Hugo Black, a US Senator from Alabama, built a political base through his anti-Catholic speeches at KKK gatherings. He later became a Supreme Court justice and was accused of letting his anti-Catholic bias influence his decisions on the separation of church and state. The KKK's power began to wane in the mid-1920s, as they faced denunciation from most newspapers and had few prominent defenders.
While the KKK's direct influence diminished, underlying anti-Catholic sentiments persisted in American society. Writers, intellectuals, and politicians continued to express anti-Catholic views, and Catholicism remained an obstacle in John F. Kennedy's presidential campaign in 1960. However, Kennedy's victory and his commitment to the separation of church and state marked a significant turning point in addressing anti-Catholic prejudice in the United States.
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Anti-Catholic hate crimes in the 2020s
Anti-Catholic sentiment in the United States has a long history, with roots in the colonial history of the country. Protestant settlers from Europe brought anti-Catholic attitudes to the Thirteen Colonies of British North America during the British colonization of the Americas. This resulted in "papists" being banned from the colonies and facing severe civic restrictions, including exclusion from political power, when they were eventually grudgingly allowed entry.
While anti-Catholic sentiment has decreased since then, it has not disappeared. In the 2020s, anti-Catholic hate crimes have been on the rise, with an annual increase since 2013. From May 2020 to May 2022, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops reported at least 139 incidents across 35 US states and the District of Columbia. These incidents included arson, beheaded statues, gravestones defaced with swastikas, smashed windows, pro-abortion graffiti, theft, and more.
There are several factors that could be contributing to the rise in anti-Catholic hate crimes in the 2020s. One factor is the Catholic Church's stance on certain social issues, such as homosexuality, abortion, and contraception, which are considered sinful according to Catholic doctrine. This has sparked backlash and protests, particularly in light of recent news about unmarked graves at residential schools operated by Catholic orders in Canada and efforts by US bishops to restrict Communion to pro-choice politicians. Additionally, the fact that President Joe Biden is Catholic has brought more attention to Catholicism and its conflicts.
Another factor contributing to the rise in anti-Catholic hate crimes is the increase in religious conspiracy theories, a rise in religious skepticism, and closures of churches due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, Catholic churches may be seen as easy targets for those wanting to make a statement against Catholicism or religion in general.
It is important to note that while there has been a rise in anti-Catholic sentiment, Catholics themselves have also been criticized for being incredibly hateful to one another and for failing to "witness a better way for the world." This internal conflict within the Catholic community may also contribute to the perception of Catholicism and impact the occurrence of hate crimes.
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Frequently asked questions
Anti-Catholic sentiment in the US dates back to the colonial history of the country. Protestant settlers from Europe brought anti-Catholic attitudes with them during the British colonisation of the Americas.
Anti-Catholic sentiment in the US was driven by a variety of factors, including religious conflicts, xenophobia, ethnocentrism, nativism, racism, and fears of increasing waves of Catholic immigrants.
Anti-Catholicism in the US has taken many forms, including riots, church burnings, violence, discrimination, and exclusion from political power. More recently, there have been reports of vandalisation of churches, destruction of statues, and other hate crimes.
While there has been a general decline in anti-Catholic sentiment in the US over time, particularly after John F. Kennedy became the first Catholic US president in 1960, it has not disappeared completely. Recent years have seen a rise in anti-Catholic hate crimes, and Catholic institutions continue to face targeted attacks.
Anti-Catholicism has had a significant impact on the Catholic community in the US, leading to marginalisation, discrimination, and violence. It has also contributed to divisions within the Catholic community and affected the political landscape, with concerns about Catholic power and influence persisting despite increasing religious tolerance.
