Catholics were a very small minority in the American colonies at the time of the American Revolution. Of the two million British colonists, only 2 percent were Catholic. Most of the Catholic population was settled in the colony of Maryland (Mary’s Land, founded by Catholics).
During the colonial period, there was widespread anti-Catholic suspicion and a determined resistance to Catholic immigration to America. The historian Arthur Schlesinger once noted that prejudice against Catholics was the most entrenched bias in American history.
Nevertheless, Catholics supported the cause for American liberty enthusiastically. Charles Carroll of Carrolton, the only Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence, was arguably the wealthiest man in the colonies.
He risked his life and fortune for liberty and independence from Britain. (When he died in 1832, he was the last surviving signatory of the Declaration of Independence). Commodore John Barry, an Irishman, became known as the founder of the American Navy. Stephen Moylan, a Philadelphia merchant, served General Washington at Valley Forge.
Thus, since the beginnings of this nation, Catholics have proven loyal and ever willing to sacrifice for our shared freedoms. Large numbers of Irish and German Catholics fought to preserve the Union during the Civil War.
This Catholic embrace of American hopes and values reflects our theological underpinnings. Patriotism, when expressed correctly, is a virtue that expresses a noble fidelity and love for one’s homeland. For many immigrants, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, America was the promised land.
Despite this, Catholics continued to face discrimination in this country well into the modern era and up to our own time. For example, during the 1920s, Catholic churches often were targeted by the Ku Klux Klan. Here in Oklahoma, the oral history of many of our parishes includes stories of the men of the parish defending Catholic property from the Klan.
The hardships we faced never dimmed the bright promise America offered for Catholics. Precisely because patriotism is a civic and Christian virtue, it should never fail to acknowledge our country’s flaws. Instead, our struggles and shortcomings must strengthen our resolve to build a nation where all peoples of every faith and race may find a common home and promote authentic liberty and justice for all.
Our diocesan archives are filled with photos of priests, religious sisters and laypeople protesting peacefully during the civil rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s and advancing the pro-life movement up to our own time. We should celebrate that legacy.
As we celebrate our Independence Day, we give thanks that the Founders of our Republic recognized that our fundamental rights are given by God, and not bestowed by a legislative body. Equality has divine origins, rooted in the dignity God has conferred upon every human person. True patriots recognize this, thus the oft repeated phrase: God first, then my country.
America is not finished yet. We are still building a more perfect union. However, we ought to reject claims that America’s failings have rendered her systematically unjust and irredeemable. The truth is that Catholics have done very well in this country and contributed immeasurably to its advancement. Our Catholic schools have empowered generations of Catholics and others to rise to the highest levels of American society. This same education system along with our Catholic health care system has contributed immeasurably to the common good of this nation by educating and caring for countless brothers and sisters, regardless of race, creed or economic status.
Be thankful for your homeland (native or by adoption) for such gratitude is anointed by God. Pray for our country, that – in the words of the beautiful hymn – God may bless her and mend her every flaw.