How race influences our Catholicism—whether we know it or not

Historically, white Catholics in America have thought of their faith as "American," "normal," "neutral" or simply "Catholic." In reality there is no racially neutral Catholicism, according to Matthew Cressler, a professor of religious studies at the College of Charleston and an expert in religion, race and politics in America.

Professor Cressler joins Gloria to offer a penetrating history lesson on race and Catholicism in America, including massive resistance among white Catholics to desegregation during the civil rights movement.

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Links:

“Real Good and Sincere Catholics”: White Catholicism and Massive Resistance to Desegregation in Chicago, 1965–1968 by Matthew J. Cressler

Authentically Black and Truly Catholic: The Rise of Black Catholicism in the Great Migration by Matthew J. Cressler

Matthew's book recommendations:

The History of Black Catholics in the United States by Cyprian Davis

Uncommon Faithfulness: The Black Catholic Experience edited by M. Shawn Copeland

Racial Justice and the Catholic Church by Bryan N. Massingale

Desegregating Dixie: The Catholic Church in the South and Desegregation, 1945-1992 by Mark Newman

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