Roman Catholic Church in America

Roman Catholic Church in America had its beginnings in the legendary connection between the Norse discoveries of the New World and the medieval church in Greenland. Its modern history began with the colonization by Spain and France. Permanent dioceses were established in Santo Domingo, Haiti, and Puerto Rico (1511), and the see of Cuba ruled the mainland churches (1522–45). The first parish within the boundaries of the present U.S. was established at St. Augustine, Fla. (1565). During the ensuing centuries, much missionary work was done by the Capuchins, Jesuits, and Franciscans. In the American territories outside the present U.S., colonization and proselyting have resulted in the dominance of the Catholic faith. In the English colonies, Catholicism was generally attacked, except in Maryland, which was founded by the Catholic Calvert family, and in Rhode Island and Pennsylvania, where there was religious toleration. John Carroll became the first Catholic bishop in the U.S. (1789), when there were approximately 30,000 Catholics in the country. The increase to the millions in the 19th century, owing in large part to immigration from first Ireland and Germany and later from Italy and Eastern Europe, occasioned sharp antagonism in this Protestant‐founded country. Although localized, this feeling resulted in politico‐religious movements like the Know‐Nothings. The change from a priest‐centered to member‐centered service, in English, resulting from decisions of Vatican II in the 1960s, led to further growth, and by 1993 the number of American Roman Catholics was 59,220,723, or 23% of the population.