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Catholics and Politics

Coughlin Again Backs Bullets in Ballot Fails

Title: Coughlin Again Backs Bullets in Ballot Fails, Washington Post

Contributor: John A. Ryan Papers, Scrapbook #10, p. 38.

Date: September 27, 1936

The furor over Father Coughlin's "liar and betrayer" speech against Roosevelt was not quieted by Bishop Gallagher's assertion that Coughlin was fully under the supervision of the Detroit diocese. Both non-Catholics and many fellow Catholics continued to be outraged by Coughlin’s views, especially as his opinions were sometimes mistaken as representing the views of the entire Church. Despite criticism from a number of prelates, however, Coughlin continued to insist that his political views embodied Catholic social teaching.

Questions:

As you read the document, reflect on the following questions:

  • What was Bishop McNicholas’s opinion on Coughlin?
  • After reading/listening to John Ryan's "Roosevelt Safeguard's America" speech, how might you revise this article?