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