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Faith and Fury: The Rise of Catholicism During the Civil War
In the bloody Civil War that split our nation, American bishops worked for the success of the Union . . . and of the Confederacy! As Catholics slaughtered Catholics, pious priests on both sides prayed God to give success in battle. . . to their own side . Men in blue and men in gray flinched at the Consecration as cannonballs (fired by Catholic opponents) rained down on them during battlefield Masses.
Many are the moving — and often surprising — stories in these pages of brave Catholics on both sides of the conflict — stories told by Fr. Charles Connor, one of our country's foremost experts on Catholic American history.
Through searing anecdotes and learned analysis, Fr. Connor here shows how the tumult, tragedy, and bravery of the War forged a new American identity, even as it created a new American Catholic identity , as Catholics—often new immigrants—found themselves on both sides of the conflict.
Fr. Connor's account shows that in the nineteenth century and on both sides of the conflict, the Church in America was a combination of visionary leadership and moral blindness — much as is the Church in America today. From consideration of the strengths and weaknesses of both sides, Catholics today will discover ways to bridge the gulf that today divides so many in our Church — and in our nation.
Many are the moving — and often surprising — stories in these pages of brave Catholics on both sides of the conflict — stories told by Fr. Charles Connor, one of our country's foremost experts on Catholic American history.
Through searing anecdotes and learned analysis, Fr. Connor here shows how the tumult, tragedy, and bravery of the War forged a new American identity, even as it created a new American Catholic identity , as Catholics—often new immigrants—found themselves on both sides of the conflict.
Fr. Connor's account shows that in the nineteenth century and on both sides of the conflict, the Church in America was a combination of visionary leadership and moral blindness — much as is the Church in America today. From consideration of the strengths and weaknesses of both sides, Catholics today will discover ways to bridge the gulf that today divides so many in our Church — and in our nation.
- GenresHistory
192 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 3, 2019
3 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 23, 2025
One of my reading goals for this year was to reserve Sundays for religious/faith-based reading, and Faith and Fury by Fr. Charles P. Connor was my first selection for that! Faith and Fury was a great way for me to kick this off, because it appeals to my interests in both faith and history. It's also very thoroughly researched and excellently written!
History books are my favorite kind of nonfiction to read, and, as a student of history (my undergrad degree is in history), I much prefer history books that demonstrate extensive research by the author. I look for long bibliographies and detailed footnotes/endnotes, and am always a little skeptical when I read any nonfiction book in which the author hasn't cited their sources. Fr. Connor absolutely delivered credibility in this book. Most pages include detailed footnotes citing sources and elaboration on his claims in the body text. His analysis of his research is sensible, too, and I loved reading his take on the facts that he presented.
I learned so much reading this book, but my biggest take away from it was how critical it is that people of faith use their faith to inform their political opinions, and not the other way around. I was pretty shocked to learn that most Catholics during the time of the Civil War were pro-slavery. To my 21st century perspective, that seems so hypocritical, but Fr. Connor explained how, in the political atmosphere of the time, they could be so horribly misled. I think most of us can be tempted to form our opinions about an issue and then cherry-pick Bible verses for affirmation, when instead, we should be seeking understanding of our faith and then using that to inform our opinions. People struggled with that in the 1860s and people still struggle with it today.
I recommend reading this book if you have any interest in American history, politics, and/or how faith intersects with these topics. It is so well-researched, yet still a compelling read!
History books are my favorite kind of nonfiction to read, and, as a student of history (my undergrad degree is in history), I much prefer history books that demonstrate extensive research by the author. I look for long bibliographies and detailed footnotes/endnotes, and am always a little skeptical when I read any nonfiction book in which the author hasn't cited their sources. Fr. Connor absolutely delivered credibility in this book. Most pages include detailed footnotes citing sources and elaboration on his claims in the body text. His analysis of his research is sensible, too, and I loved reading his take on the facts that he presented.
I learned so much reading this book, but my biggest take away from it was how critical it is that people of faith use their faith to inform their political opinions, and not the other way around. I was pretty shocked to learn that most Catholics during the time of the Civil War were pro-slavery. To my 21st century perspective, that seems so hypocritical, but Fr. Connor explained how, in the political atmosphere of the time, they could be so horribly misled. I think most of us can be tempted to form our opinions about an issue and then cherry-pick Bible verses for affirmation, when instead, we should be seeking understanding of our faith and then using that to inform our opinions. People struggled with that in the 1860s and people still struggle with it today.
I recommend reading this book if you have any interest in American history, politics, and/or how faith intersects with these topics. It is so well-researched, yet still a compelling read!
April 20, 2021
A treatise on American Catholic history during the 19th century in America and including the Civil war.
March 20, 2022
Excellent second installment. Happy reading!
January 4, 2026
Well researched and written. It was an interesting side of American history that is not discussed or highlighted.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews