medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
From: Christopher Crockett <[log in to unmask]>
> > I'm curious, by the way, about how many of this "underbrush" of 19th- and early 20th-century misunderstandings of Catholicism has medieval roots. It's my impression that a lot of it dates from these more recent centuries -- comments anyone?
> surely most of it comes straight --or more or less straight-- out of the 16th c. ?
Edwin replies:
The attitude may, but much of the specific anti-Catholicism in America came about during the flight of poor Catholic immigrants (Italians, Poles, Irish etc.) from Europe to America in the 18 and 19th centuries which spawned urban ghettos and resultant crime. There was also a concern that Catholics could never be good Americans because they had allegience to a foriegn prince (the Pope). This may have been reinforced by the large numbers of immigrant-Irish who were drafted into the American Army and then deserted to the Mexican cause during the Mexican-American war (the Battalions of San Patricio formed under John Riley). There were also deep seated hatred of Catholics among some groups of Masons (specifically aimed at the "Jesuit conspiracy") and by the Ku-Klux-Klan. Catholics have generally considered these positions to be "overstated." :)
Edwin
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