Roman Catholicism in America

ROMAN CATHOLICISM in America

Chester Gillis

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY NEW YORK

PRESS

Roman Catholicism in America

Columbia Contemporary American Religion Series

The United States is the birthplace of religious pluralism, and the spiritual landscape of contemporary America is as varied and complex as that of any country in the world. The books in this new series, written by leading scholars for students and general readers alike, fall into two categories: some of these well-crafted, thought-provoking portraits of the country's major religious groups describe and explain particular religious practices and rituals, beliefs, and major challenges facing a given community today. Others explore current themes and topics in American religion that cut across denominational lines. The texts are supplemented with carefully selected photographs and artwork, annotated bibliographies, concise profiles of important individuals, and chronologies of major events.

Islam in America JANE I. SMITH

Roman Catholicism in America CHESTER GILLIS

ROMAN CATHOLICISM in America

Chester Gillis

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY NEW YORK

PRESS

C O L U M B I A U N I V E R S I T Y PRESS Publishers Since 1893 New York, Chichester, West Sussex Copyright © 1999 Columbia University Press All rights reserved Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Gillis, Chester, 1951— Roman Catholicism in America / Chester Gillis. p.

cm. — (Columbia contemporary American religion series)

Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-231-10870-2 (hardcover). —ISBN 0-231-10871-0 (pbk.) i. Catholic Church—United States—History. 2. United States— Church history. I. Title. II. Series. 6X1406.2.045

1999

282'.73—dc2i

Casebound editions of Columbia University Press books are printed on permanent and durable acid-free paper. Printed in the United States of America c 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 p 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 i

99-J7945 CIP

For Marie Varley Gillis

and in memory of Lauren Jeanne Gillis 1975-1997

"In Every Living Thing Is the Spirit to Be Free "

CONTENTS

Acknowledgments Introduction

ix z

CHAPTER ONE

Who Are American Catholics?

8

CHAPTER TWO

A Brief History of Catholics in America: Colonial Times to 1900

48

CHAPTER THREE

A Brief History of Catholics in America: 1900 to the Second Vatican Council

68

CHAPTER FOUR

The Post-Vatican II Church in America

$5

CHAPTER FIVE

Teachings and Beliefs: Part I

123

CHAPTER SIX

Teachings and Beliefs: Part II

i58

viii

CONTENTS

CHAPTER SEVEN

Institutions, Roles, and Organizations

797

CHAPTER EIGHT

Catholic Popular Culture

220

CHAPTER NINE

Challenges

238

CHAPTER TEN

The Future

231

APPENDIX ONE

Select Profiles of American Catholics

281

APPENDIX TWO

Time Line

291

Notes Glossary Selected Further Reading Electronic Resources Index

2