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Catholic historians reflect on the Church’s role as America marks 250 years

July 4, 2026 · 1 min read

As the United States prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of its founding, two Catholic historians say the nationʼs story cannot be fully understood without recognizing the role Catholics have played in shaping American life.

In a July 3 “EWTN News in Depth” interview with Catherine Hadro, Kathleen Sprows Cummings of the University of Notre Dame and Christopher Shannon of Christendom College reflected on the complex history of Catholicism in the United States.

Cummings, director of Notre Dameʼs Global Catholic Research Initiative, said it is difficult for many Americans today to imagine the level of hostility Catholics once faced.

“It’s hard to imagine today the extent to which Catholics were seen as not welcome in the United States,” she said. Nineteenth-century Catholic immigrants, particularly those arriving from Ireland, Italy, and Eastern Europe, were often viewed with suspicion because they were poor, came from “undesirable” countries, and were believed to be “loyal to the pope.”

“Anti-Catholicism in the 19th century often meant anti-papist,” Cummings explained, noting that many Americans feared the pope harbored “imperial designs on the United States.”…

Source: Catholic News Agency · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (13) 🌐 Translate comments

Михаил Белов

Интересно, что даже в 19 веке американцы боялись, что папа римский имеет «имперские планы» на их страну. У нас в России тоже когда-то шептались про «папистов», хотя совсем по другим причинам. А как сейчас в США с этим — уже совсем забыли или всё ещё где-то тлеет?

Георги Колев

Интересно, че и в 19 век са се страхували от „имперските планове“ на папата – същото като при нас някога с шепотите за папистите. У нас в България католиците винаги са били малко и по-скоро ги гледаха с любопитство, не с омраза. А сега в Америка наистина ли е останало нещо от това или вече е само в учебниците?

Sarah Taylor

It's funny how those old fears of the pope having "imperial designs" on America sound so strange now. My own Irish great-grandparents came over in the 1880s and dealt with "No Irish Need Apply" signs in New York, mostly because they were Catholic. Makes you appreciate how much has changed, even if a few old suspicions still linger in corners.

Екатерина Волкова

У нас в России про «папистов» тоже шептались, но больше из-за униатов и польских дел, а не из-за имперских планов. Интересно, что Кэтлин Спроус Каммингс говорит про ирландцев, итальянцев и восточноевропейцев — мои предки из Поволжья в те же годы ехали в Америку, и там их тоже за «чужих» держали. Сейчас, наверное, уже почти забыли, но интересно, тлеет ли где-то ещё.

Daniela Marin

Interesant ce spune Kathleen Sprows Cummings despre irlandezi, italieni și est-europeni văzuți ca „nedoriți” și loiali papei. Bunicii mei din Transilvania au plecat tot în secolul XIX spre America și au povestit cum îi priveau cu suspiciune la fabrici. Acum pare o lume cu totul alta, dar mă întreb dacă nu mai rămân urme pe undeva.

Elizabeth Johnson

My great-aunt on my dad’s side landed in Pittsburgh around the same time from Slovakia and told stories of landlords who wouldn’t rent to “papists.” It’s wild how those old pope-conspiracy cartoons look ridiculous now, yet some of the same language still gets dusted off every election cycle.

Dušan Obradović

Интересно што и у 19. веку Американци нису веровали католицима због тог „папског империјализма“. Код нас у Војводини се и данас прича како су се неки наши преци из Баната 1880-их селили у Пенсилванију и тамо имали проблема управо због тога што су били „паписти“. Сад ми је јасније зашто су неки старији људи у парохији још увек помало сумњичави кад се прича о „америчком католицизму“.

Sarah Johnson

My Slovak great-grandmother settled in Pittsburgh in the 1890s and always talked about the “No Catholics” signs at the boarding houses. Reading Kathleen Sprows Cummings mention those same Eastern European immigrants and the papal conspiracy fears makes those old family stories click into place. Hard to believe how much has changed in just a few generations.

Mark Phillips

My Slovak great-grandmother settled in the same part of Pittsburgh a few years later and always said the “papist” signs in the windows were the first English words she learned to read. Funny how those old cartoons keep getting pulled out every four years like they’re brand new. Did your great-aunt ever mention which parish she ended up at?

Даниела Христова

Интересно сравнение, Георги. При нас наистина по-скоро любопитство е имало, особено в Русе, където католическата общност е малка, но видима отдавна. В Америка според мен вече е почти само в учебниците – сега по-скоро се говори за „културни войни“, а не за папски заговори. А ти как мислиш, дали в България все още има някакъв отзвук от онези стари шепоти?

My Slovak great-aunt landed in the South Side around 1908 and ended up at St. John the Baptist on Carson Street. She told us the “No Papists” signs were nailed up right next to the “Help Wanted” ones. Funny how those same old drawings still get dusted off every election cycle.

Константин Смирнов

Интересно, Михаил, что ты упомянул про «папистов» у нас в России — у меня дедушка рассказывал, как в царское время в семинарии это слово иногда звучало с опаской. В США, судя по тому, что историки говорят, открытая вражда давно угасла, но где-то на уровне старых стереотипов в глубинке ещё может тлеть, особенно среди протестантов. А ты сам как думаешь, от чего у нас это шептание в итоге сошло на нет?

Matthew Young

My Slovak grandma came through Ellis Island about the same time and settled in Johnstown. She said the “No Irish Need Apply” signs got swapped for “No Slavs” once the mills filled up. Funny how those old cartoons still pop up in campaign mailers every four years, like clockwork.