Google Preferred SourcesComments
ForumsShare

This week in Christian history: Thomas Coke dies, first Christian school in Montreal, Father Coughlin silenced

By Michael Gryboski, Editor Twitter

Father Coughlin ordered to stop political activism – May 1, 1942

Father Charles Coughlin (1891–1979), a popular politically outspoken Roman Catholic priest who garnered controversy for antisemitic views.
Father Charles Coughlin (1891–1979), a popular politically outspoken Roman Catholic priest who garnered controversy for antisemitic views. | Wikimedia Commons

This week marks the anniversary of when Father Charles Coughlin, a popular yet controversial Great Depression era Catholic radio personality, was ordered to halt his political activism.

A native of Ontario, Canada, Coughlin had a strong following in the United States, with the populist priest broadcasting political views that were sometimes antisemitic in nature.

While initially a supporter of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, as the 1930s progressed, Coughlin shifted more to the political right and eventually opposed U.S. entry into World War II.

In 1942, the newly installed Detroit Archbishop Edward Mooney ordered Coughlin to refrain from political commentary or be defrocked as punishment. Coughlin would continue as a parish priest until retiring in 1966. He died in 1979.

Follow Michael Gryboski on Twitter or Facebook

Was this article helpful?

Become a CP Insider.
Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone.

The truth has a cost, and Insiders help carry it.
A dollar from an Insider comes with no strings attached. It keeps our reporters on the story, keeps our journalism open to everyone, and keeps every editorial decision in the newsroom, where it belongs.

Become a CP Insider and choose the amount you want to pay. You can change, pause or cancel anytime. As a thank-you, you’ll get:

  • The Insider Newsletter, a members-only monthly letter from our newsroom

  • Ad-free reading across christianpost.com


From as low as $8.25/month
Prefer to give once?

We’re sorry to hear that.

Hope you’ll give us another try and check out some other articles.
Return to homepage.

Most Popular

More Articles