Introduction
In recent times, the Catholic Church has seen a significant shift in its political leanings among American Catholics. The election of Pope Leo XIV has sparked discussions about the future direction of the Church, especially considering the rise of conservative Catholic groups aligned with the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement and supporters of Donald Trump.
Historical Context: Papal Leadership and Societal Shifts
Throughout history, certain popes have embodied the spirit of their times. Pope John XXIII was a progressive leader during the era of The Beatles, while Pope John Paul II guided the world through the decline of the Soviet Union. The question arose during the recent conclave: would the new pope reflect the growing conservative mood among American Catholics, many of whom have embraced the MAGA movement and Trump’s policies?
The Rise of Conservative Catholics
Some conservative Catholic groups, well-connected and financially supported, have actively opposed the more progressive stances of recent popes. These groups include Steve Bannon, a former Trump advisor and influential far-right media figure, who criticized Pope Francis for being anti-American and soft on immigration. Roger Stone, another radical Catholic associated with Trump and a convicted felon, declared that Francis’s papacy was never legitimate.
The Evolution of American Catholic Politics
Historically, American Catholics were seen as relatively liberal compared to other Christian communities. In 1960, nearly 80% of Catholics voted for John F. Kennedy due to his political views, despite some evangelical Protestants labeling him as the Antichrist. In contrast, only 49% of Catholics voted for Joe Biden in 2020, a more devout Catholic than Kennedy.
However, the concept of a monolithic “Catholic vote” or “Jewish vote” is misleading, as religious adherents generally split between conservative and liberal factions. Among American Catholics, a notable shift towards more radical right-wing policies has emerged.
Factors Contributing to the Shift
Several factors have contributed to this transformation, including the decline of organized religion in the United States and changing social attitudes. Younger generations show less interest in becoming Catholic priests, and those who do tend to be more conservative. According to a study by researchers at The Catholic University of America, 68% of priests ordained between 1965 and 1969 identified as “quite” or “very” theologically progressive. Today, nearly 85% of newly ordained priests describe themselves as “conservative” or “very conservative.”
Additionally, racial and socioeconomic factors have played a role. Democrats once relied on the votes of less-educated white Christians, particularly in Southern states. Despite their cultural conservatism, these voters supported socially progressive economic policies that benefited them. The 1960s brought significant changes, including the Vatican II council, social upheaval around sex and drugs, and civil rights for African Americans. Many Catholics and evangelicals left the Democratic Party, drawn to the Republican promise of a cultural and social counterrevolution: law and order, family values, and an implicit defense of white supremacy.
Prominent Conservative Catholics
Publicly influential conservative Catholics, such as Steve Bannon and Roger Stone, have gained traction in recent years. Five Supreme Court justices and Vice President J.D. Vance, who converted in 2019, are also conservative Catholics. William Barr, Trump’s first attorney general, described secularism as a “social pathology” aiming to “destroy traditional moral order.”
The conservative Christian resurgence is partly fueled by theology, with abortion being a central concern for Catholics who believe human life begins at conception. Evangelicals, once less concerned about abortion, joined forces with Catholics over government support for religious schools.
Cultural wars ignited by Nixon’s 1969 call to the “silent majority” have further aligned evangelicals and conservative Catholics. Liberal urbanites, mostly well-educated and often secular, embrace diverse views on sexuality, immigration, and gender preferences but remain vigilant against racism, sexism, homophobia, and xenophobia. Rural and less-educated Americans, on the other hand, hold traditional religious beliefs, a biological definition of gender, and the right to bear arms. They view anti-racism as a threat to their social standing and generally disregard issues that irk liberals.
This division is primarily a class issue, as suggested by Barack Obama during his 2008 presidential campaign when he dismissed working-class voters in formerly industrial areas as clinging to guns or religion. Hillary Clinton exacerbated matters in 2016 by labeling half of Trump’s supporters as a “basket of deplorables.”
The alliances formed in cultural wars may not always be logical, but their power should not be underestimated. In 2020, Trump—hardly a devout Christian—claimed Biden was “against God” and “against guns.” For cultural warriors, the connection is clear: we love guns, so God must love them too. The prominence of Catholics among these warriors is, ultimately, regrettable.
About the Author
Ian Buruma is most recently the author of Spinoza: Freedom’s Messiah (Yale University Press, 2024).
Copyright
Copyright: Project Syndicate, 1995 – 2025
www.project-syndicate.org
