Summary

The beliefs, practices, structures, and loyalties of the Roman Catholic community are vitally important to the political, social, and religious life of America. Catholic Faith in America, Third Edition explores the dynamic, and sometimes difficult, relationship that Catholics have with American culture and society. It describes Catholics history, contributions, unique characteristics, and participation in American life from the beginnings of the nation to the present.

This new edition portrays key figures and events in the life of American Catholicism, clarifies topics that may be commonly misunderstood by those who are not Catholic, and offers Catholics an objective look at their faith. With strong opinions and a widely diversified population, the American Catholic community remains one of the most visible in the nation.

New and updated coverage includes:
• The election of Pope Francis
• Election of Bishop Wilton, the first Black cardinal in America
• The controversial canonization of Father Junípero Serra
• Catholicism and LGBTQ+ rights
• Abortion and the overturning of Roe v. Wade
• Catholicism on the Internet
• The election of Joe Biden, the country's second Catholic president
• Changing composition of the American Catholic Church
• Catholic priests and nuns in America today

Specifications

eBook

About the Author(s)

Series Editor J. Gordon Melton is distinguished professor emeritus of American religious history at Baylor University's Institute for Studies in Religion. He also served as the director of the Institute for the Study of American Religion in Woodway, Texas. He is the author or editor of dozens of books on religion, including Melton's Encyclopedia of American Religions; Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Belief and Practice; Religious Celebrations: An Encyclopedia of Holidays, Festivals, Solemn Observances, and Spiritual Commemorations and Encyclopedia of Protestantism, part of the six-volume Encyclopedia of World Religions set, which he edited for Facts On File.

Author Chester Gillis is professor emeritus in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at Georgetown University where he served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and director of the Program on the Church and Interreligious Dialogue in the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs. He also served as provost at Saint Louis University. An expert on the U.S. Catholic Church, the history of Catholicism, and the papacy, his other areas of expertise include interfaith dialogue and religious pluralism. He is the author of Roman Catholicism in America, Pluralism: A New Paradigm for Theology, A Question of Final Belief, and editor of The Political Papacy.