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An Open Letter to the Honorable Alfred E. Smith in The Altantic

An Open Letter to the Honorable Alfred E. Smith in The Altantic

Charles C. Marshall to Al Smith in the Atlantic April 1927 Charles Marshall, a prominent lawyer, wrote a major piece in the Atlantic magazine questioning whether Al Smith could truly be independent of the Roman Catholic Church. …The deduction is inevitable that, as all power over human affairs not given to the State by God, is given by God to the Roman Catholic Church, no other churches or religious or ethical societies have in theory any direct power from God and…

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George Washington, Defender of Catholics

George Washington, Defender of Catholics

First published in Beliefnet.com  I’ve written in the past about how some of America’s founders not only discriminated against Catholics but actively stoked anti-Catholic sentiment to advance the American cause. Yet somehow, Catholics ended up being gradually included in the American religious compact. As Pope Benedict XI said, now, “Respect for freedom of religion is deeply ingrained in the American consciousness.” What happened? I would argue that the key figure was George Washington. As the Revolutionary War began, many persisted…

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The Rights of the Colonists by Sam Adams, 1772

The Rights of the Colonists by Sam Adams, 1772

Samuel Adams November 20, 1772 The Patriot leader here argues for religious liberty for all, except Catholics. As neither reason requires, nor religeon permits the contrary, every Man living in or out of a state of civil society, has a right peaceably and quietly to worship God according to the dictates of his conscience.”   Just and true liberty, equal and impartial liberty” in matters spiritual and temporal, is a thing that all Men are clearly entitled to, by the…

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Maryland Act Concerning Religion, 1649

Maryland Act Concerning Religion, 1649

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Maryland 1649 Though Maryland was founded as America’s lone bastion for Catholics, the state nonetheless put strong restrictions on religious freedom Forasmuch as in a well governed and Xpian Comon Weath matters concerning Religion and the honor of God ought in the first place to bee taken, into serious consideracon and endeavoured to bee settled. Be it therefore ordered and enacted by the Right Hoble Cecilius Lord Baron of Baltemore absolute Lord and Proprietary of this Province with the advise…

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Letter from George Washington to the Roman Catholics in the United States, March 15, 1790

Letter from George Washington to the Roman Catholics in the United States, March 15, 1790

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George Washington March 15, 1790 One of Washington’s greatest contributions to religious freedom was his insistence, as Commander of the Continental Army, that Catholics be treated as equal American citizens. While I now receive with much satisfaction your congratulations on my being called, by an unanimous vote, to the first station in my country; I cannot but duly notice your politeness in offering an apology for the unavoidable delay. As that delay has given you an opportunity of realizing, instead…

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Letter from George Washington to Benedict Arnold, September 17, 1775

Letter from George Washington to Benedict Arnold, September 17, 1775

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George Washington September 17, 1775 George Washington had dispatched Arnold on an important mission to secure support from Canadians. Under the Quebec Act, Great Britain had granted Catholics in Canada tremendous religious freedom. At first, the Continental Congress attacked the Quebec Act, but Washington pointed out that attacking Catholics would undermine their efforts to secure the support of the Catholic Canadians. Here he orders Arnold to get his troops to behave honorably toward the Catholic Canadians Camp at Cambridge, September…

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George Washington, General Orders, May 05, 1778

George Washington, General Orders, May 05, 1778

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George Washington May 5, 1778 Washington called for prayers of thanks after France formally allied with the Colonists. Earlier, Washington had clamped down on anti-Catholic bigotry in the Continental Army in part because he knew the new nation would need support from France, a Catholic nation. Head Quarters, V. Forge, Tuesday, May 5, 1778. AFTER ORDERS It having pleased the Almighty ruler of the Universe propitiously to defend the Cause of the United American-States and finally by raising us up…

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Continental Congress Appeals to the Inhabitants of the Province of Quebec, October 26, 1774

Continental Congress Appeals to the Inhabitants of the Province of Quebec, October 26, 1774

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Continental Congress October 26, 1774 Just five days after complaining that Britain, through the Quebec Act, was giving too much freedom to Canadian Catholics, the Continental Congress flip-flopped and issued this message to curry favor with the Catholics to the north. After cataloguing the many rights and privileges accorded colonists, the Congress asked, “What is offered to you by the late Act of Parliament in their place? Liberty of conscience in your religion? No. God gave it to you.” Friends…

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Continental Congress, Declaration and Resolves, October 14, 1774

Continental Congress, Declaration and Resolves, October 14, 1774

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Continental Congress October 14, 1774 In describing the colonies’ grievances, the Continental Congress cited the Quebec Act, which gave religious freedom to Catholics In Canada. Also the act passed in the same session for establishing the Roman Catholic religion, in the province of Quebec, abolishing the equitable system of English laws, and erecting a tyranny there, to the great danger (from so total a dissimilarity of religion, law and government) of the neighbouring British colonies, by the assistance of whose…

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The Articles of Association, Continental Congress, October 20, 1774

The Articles of Association, Continental Congress, October 20, 1774

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The Continental Congress October 20, 1774 In this declaration resolved to boycott British tea and launch several other acts of protest. Unlike the later Declaration of Independence, these articles (In the preamble) specifically cite the Quebec Act, which many patriots criticized for allowing religious freedom for Catholics In Quebec. They feared the Catholics would lead a charge against the Protestant colonies: “thus, by the influence of civil principles and ancient prejudices, to dispose the inhabitants to act with hostility against…

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