"Three Cheers for the Union": Catholic Chaplains and Irish Loyalty during the American Civil War

During the American Civil War (1861–65), the Irish-American Catholic contribution to the Union effort included 145,000 soldiers and 40 priest chaplains. Studies of Irish participation, while highlighting the role of nationalism, have not offered significant discussion of chaplains in asserting and s...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Endres, David J. 1979- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: The Catholic University of America Press 2022
In: The catholic historical review
Year: 2022, Volume: 108, Issue: 1, Pages: 92-117
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Nordstaaten, USA / Civil War (1861-1865) / Catholic church / Priest / Irish people / Military chaplaincy / Patriotism
IxTheo Classification:CG Christianity and Politics
KAH Church history 1648-1913; modern history
KBF British Isles
KBQ North America
KDB Roman Catholic Church
RG Pastoral care
Further subjects:B Irish Americans
B American Civil War
B Biography
B Irish nationalism
B Union
B Catholic chaplains
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Summary:During the American Civil War (1861–65), the Irish-American Catholic contribution to the Union effort included 145,000 soldiers and 40 priest chaplains. Studies of Irish participation, while highlighting the role of nationalism, have not offered significant discussion of chaplains in asserting and shaping Irish-American loyalty to the Union. This study provides character sketches of three lesser-known Union chaplains: Fathers Thomas J. Mooney, Thomas M. Brady, and William T. O'Higgins—each of Irish parentage. These chaplains were vocal and strident in their Unionism. They were not politically agnostic, as Catholics are sometimes depicted, but were champions of the cause—when others fell silent. The war provided them with an opportunity to prove their dual allegiance to Ireland and America and strengthen it among their comrades.
ISSN:1534-0708
Contains:Enthalten in: The catholic historical review
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1353/cat.2022.0003