The Cambridge Companion to American Catholicism

Provides a concise yet comprehensive guide to understanding the complexity and diversity of the American Catholic experience.

Margaret M. McGuinness (Edited by), Thomas F. Rzeznik (Edited by)

9781108460088, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 17 June 2021

386 pages
22.8 x 15.1 x 2.1 cm, 0.57 kg

'… an outstanding overview of the US's distinctive Catholic history … Recommended.' R. A. Boisclair, Choice Connect

This Companion provides a comprehensive overview of American Catholicism's historical development and distinctive features. The essays - all specially commissioned for this volume - highlight the inner diversity of American Catholicism and trace the impact of American Catholics on all aspects of society, including education, social welfare, politics, and intellectual life. The volume also addresses topics of contemporary concern, such as gender and sexuality, arts and culture, social activism, and the experiences of Black, Latinx, Asian-American, and cultural Catholics. Taken together, the essays in this Companion provide context for understanding American Catholicism as it is currently experienced, and help to situate present-day developments and debates within their longer trajectory.

Part I. Historical Overview: 1. American Catholicism's early foundations Maura Jane Farrelly
2. The immigrant church, 1820-1908 Steven M. Avella
3. The Catholic century James M. O'Toole
Part II. Catholic Life and Culture: 4. Catholic worship Katharine E. Harmon
5. Catholic intellectual life William L. Portier
6. Catholic education James T. Carroll
7. Social welfare and social reform Mary Elizabeth Brown
8. Women religious Mary Beth Fraser Connolly
9. Catholics and politics Lawrence J. McAndrews
10. Arts and culture Debra Campbell
11. Anti-Catholicism in the United States Mark Massa, SJ
12. Gender and sexuality James P. McCartin
13. American Catholics in a global context Angelyn Dries
Part III. Many Faces of Catholicism: 14. American Catholic laywomen and feminism Paula M. Kane
15. Black Catholics Cecilia A. Moore
16. Latinx Catholicism Lauren Guerra and Brett C. Hoover
17. Asian American Catholics Robert E. Carbonneau
18. Cultural Catholicism Tom Beaudoin
Conclusion: 19. US Catholicism in the twenty-first century Mary L. Gautier.

Subject Areas: Roman Catholicism, Roman Catholic Church [HRCC7], Church history [HRCC2], History of religion [HRAX], Comparative religion [HRAC], History of the Americas [HBJK]