NEW ORDERSMISSIONS

CHURCH IN AMERICA

Continuing 4.2

NEW RELIGIOUS ORDERS

Society of Jesus (Jesuits)

Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556) Injured as soldier Soldier for Christ Military background chain of command

Fourth Vow– absolute personal obedience to Pope

“The Spiritual Exercises” Intellectuals, theologians, missionaries

Practical, this-world … not withdrawal, sacrifice

Task for “soldiers”: Combat Protestantism

Vincentians/Charitys

Vincent de Paul (1581-1660)Focus on the poor; preach to, teach

commoners Louise de Marillac Daughters of

CharityBypass cloister rules by taking private

annual vows

Christian Brothers

John Baptist de La Salle (1652-1719)Educate poor children escape poverty,

crimeBegan classroom teaching (not private

tutors)Considered a founder of modern education

Elizabeth Ann Seton

1774-1821 First American-born saint (canonized

1975) Convert; began Baltimore school Sisters of Charity (Emmitsburg) – first

religious order begun in the U.S. Credited with beginning the parochial

school system

MISSIONARIES

Exploration Begins

Events of 1492 1493 ~ Pope Alexander VI draws line,

dividing the AtlanticSpain gets West; Portugal gets East

1522 ~ Magellan sails around the world, so a second line is needed

Catholics travel to spread the faith; Protestants for trade

Methods

Religious Orders ~ Franciscans, Dominicans, and especially Jesuits

“Hard” vs. “Soft”“Hard” ~ by force & destruction“Soft” ~ missions; settlements & teach;

accommodation/adaptation In the Americas

French in the North; Spain in the South

Challenges

Conquistadors & ColonizersEnslave the “savages”Educated Christians humanMissions protected the natives

Danger of SyncretismTo what extent do you “adapt” the faith to

local customs, religious practices, etc., before it no longer is Christianity?

CATHOLICISM IN THE COLONIES

AND U.S.

The American Colonies

Established for “religious freedom”?Freedom of OUR, “perfect” religion!

11 of the original 13 colonies had official state religion; only two safe for CatholicsMaryland ~ begun as safe haven for Catholics

○ 1649 Act of TolerationPennsylvania ~ Quaker acceptance

Constitution ~ God not mentionedNo influence in EITHER direction

John Carroll

1735-1815; elected bishop in 1789 (American Catholics feared foreign bishop)

Balanced democracy with Vatican loyalty

Began St. Mary’s Seminary (Baltimore), Georgetown College (DC), dioceses

1790 – 30,000 American Catholics1815 – 200,000 American Catholics

Anti-Catholic Sentiment

Nativism & Know-Nothing Party “Public” Schools

Isolation vicious cycle Politics/Presidental Candidates

1929 ~ Al Smith1960 ~ John F. KennedyJohn KerryPaul Ryan & Joe Biden