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Book Review: Anti-Catholic Chic

February 13th, 2008 at 03:30pm Albert McIlhenny

The New Anti-Catholicism: The Last Acceptable Prejudice – Phillip Jenkins Oxford University Press (October 2004) Topic: Catholicism; Christian Culture; Politics Summary: Exposing anti-Catholic bigotry in American culture Rating:

It can hardly be disputed that the United States of America has had issues with bigotry. Yet while bigotry against racial minorities and most religious groups would be roundly condemned in any modern enlightened society, there are exceptions where the group in question may not only be the recipient of insults but the arbiters of proper conduct will gladly join in on the fun. Such is the case with most forms of traditional Christianity and in particular with the Catholic Church.

Phillip Jenkins examines this phenomenon in The New Anti-Catholicism where he memorably describes it as “the last acceptable prejudice.” Examining the breadth of anti-Catholic prejudice in America, he traces its development from its Anglo-Protestant origins to its current fashioability among the political left that has always seen Catholicism as being hostile to the personal liberties so enshrined in American political ideologies.

Jenkins begins by pointing out that a major reason for the suspicion towards Catholicism lies in its vision of the shape of a just society. Catholicism offers not just a promise of salvation or an ideal of proper individual conduct, but a view of a natural law ordained by God that claims a moral authority both on the individual and the state. This bold claim runs afoul of a competing American ideology that while initially rooted in natural law took its form from both Protestant and deist thinkers that rejected the ecclesial structure of Rome. Wit the generally anti-clerical and anti-authoritarian streams of American populist thinking added to the mix, fears that the growing Catholic population presented an alien threat to the American way of life was all too predictable.

While some might assume that the most virulent anti-Catholic fervor would be monopolized by reactionary elements (and it did exist in such groups as the “Know Nothings” and continues today among some Fundamentalist Protestant sects), Jenkins rightly points out it has been no less a province of American liberalism. With its authoritarian imange, the Catholic Church was long held as a foe by those influenced by Enlightenment thinking and its anti-Communist stance during the Cold War and opposition to the “sexual revolution” of recent decades have further reinforced that view.

Jenkins then procedes to give a careful refutation of popular misconceptions of Catholicism in a series of chapters that upturns the conventional wisdom and exposes the rotten core of bigotry that underscores them. No subject is too controversial to deal with as he sheds light on the Catholic Church’s views on women, its condemnation of homosexuality, its relations with the news media, the pedophile priest scandal, and the presentation of Catholicism in popular culture. Jenkins by no means lets them “off the hook” but he does point out where honest criticism ends and vile prejudice begins.

Jenkins then follows the exposing of anti-Catholic roots with specific cases he calls “Black Legends” – tales about key figures that are based upon questionable research that cannot stand up to rigorous scrutiny. These character assasinations really are not aimed at those in question but to serve as a convenient stick with which to beat the Catholic Church. Jenkins takes these head on and refutes them pretty convincingly.

Jenkins closes with not much optimism for an end to anti-Catholic bigotry. In the future he sees history repeating itself as reaction grows to new waves of immigrants from largely Catholic Latin America. Thus, even if the Catholic Church were to capitulate on every social issue, this would not end the strife as new fears of its growing influence would again mobilize opposition.

It is highly informative to see someone expose the anti-Christian bigotry in general and anti-Catholic bigotry in particular that is blithely accepted among the American left even as they chide everyone not to prejudge those who vocally seek to overthrow all of Western culture. With the facts laid bare in The New Anti-Catholicism, perhaps we can see for ouselves where the real threats lie.

Entry Filed under: Catholicism, Christian Culture, Jenkins, Philip, Politics