Christian nationalism in Catholicism

Tigger45 · Nov 1, 2025

Hi, it's been awhile since posting at CF regularly. Taking into consideration I'm a visitor to this forum and not wanting to "Stir the pot" as it were. I'd sincerely appreciate input on the current climate of Christian nationalism within Catholicism in the U.S. Frankly I'm sicken by the far right in the Evangelical churches and I'm too conservative for the progressive churches so I'm at a loss at where I might find a home church. Friendly input would be highly appreciated.

Bob Crowley · Nov 1, 2025

I'm an Australian Catholic and so I'm an observer looking on at the US church.

I think in a lot of ways Australian and US Catholicism would be similar. Way back in my Presbyterian days, I remember my pastor saying "American Catholicism is a bit different". He didn't specify exactly what he meant but I think he thought there was a difference with say latin American Catholicism, or even Italian Catholicism.

Until recently it was probably the best educated branch of the Catholic Church, and maybe still is. The US council of bishops has a fair bit of influence for example.

Overall I think the most consistent statements on ethics comes from the Catholic Church whether we're talking about abortion, just war, homosexuality, poverty, refugees, economics etc. etc.

Mind you there are disagreements within the church. When Pope Francis was still here, there were pro and anti Francis clerics and lay people. A similar comment could have been made regarding Benedict, John Paul II, and if he's around long enough Pope Leo.

So don't go thinking the Catholic Church is one huge monolith where everybody thinks the same thing. You only have to see the debates about the latin mass to witness that.

My suggestion is that you attend a local Catholic Church and see what you think. You won't be able to take part in the communion, and if you do decide to join you'll need to go through the RCIA program (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) during which time you learn about Catholicism and can ask as many questions as you like before committing yourself.

PS - I went through RCIA in the home of another Catholic couple. That was way back circa 1996/97, but probably about 2 years ago they said to me "We didn't think you'd through with it. You asked so many questions! ... But you're the one who joined and stuck around to do things." Like I said you can ask questions to your heart's content.

chevyontheriver · Nov 2, 2025

Tigger45 said:
Hi, it's been awhile since posting at CF regularly. Taking into consideration I'm a visitor to this forum and not wanting to "Stir the pot" as it were. I'd sincerely appreciate input on the current climate of Christian nationalism within Catholicism in the U.S. Frankly I'm sicken by the far right in the Evangelical churches and I'm too conservative for the progressive churches so I'm at a loss at where I might find a home church. Friendly input would be highly appreciated.

Christian nationalism isn’t a huge thing in the Catholic Church. We are far more international. When we say ‘Christ is king’ it’s not a dog whistle for any sort of nationalism but an understanding that Jesus is Lord of all. We celebrate the feast of Christ the king at the end of the liturgical year, which comes up in a few short weeks. We’ve been doing that far longer than any ‘Christian nationalism’ malarial dream has infected evangelicals or panicked the progressives.

There are some Christian’s nationalist Catholics I suppose, but they’re not terribly common.

narnia59 · Nov 2, 2025

Christian nationalism in general is not an issue in the Catholic Church.

What is more common in the Catholic Church in America is that many people let their political affiliation define their values and form their conscience instead of the Church. If you let the Catholic Church form your conscience you will find yourself politically homeless but doing the best you can to vote with a Catholic mindset.

My two cents.

Tigger45 · Nov 2, 2025

A bit of my history. I was baptized Catholic as an infant. Both sides of our family are Catholic although our mother was nominal when we were growing up but is very active now and our father was anti-organized religion but encouraged us to seek out our own spirituality. We/I might attend the Catholic church a few times a year. Holidays and midnight Mass was always looked forward to. At 30 y/o I became a devout Evangelical. 2013 I did a deep dive into Eastern Orthodoxy for 7 years but could not quite make the switch although my Mariology grew a lot. Afterwards even as a Lutheran LCMC I frequently stopped in on one of two Catholic churches offering Eucharistic adoration on the way home from work to decompress and enjoyed meditating on the appropriate Rosary for the day.

chevyontheriver · Monday at 12:17 AM

Tigger45 said:
A bit of my history. I was baptized Catholic as an infant. Both sides of our family are Catholic although our mother was nominal when we were growing up but is very active now and our father was anti-organized religion but encouraged us to seek out our own spirituality. We/I might attend the Catholic church a few times a year. Holidays and midnight Mass was always looked forward to.

Sounds like you had good experiences even if the family didn't get you to church very often, nor instill that habit in you.

Tigger45 said:
At 30 y/o I became a devout Evangelical.

We have things we can learn from evangelicals. Particularly when we just can't see yet what's been in front of us all along.

Tigger45 said:
2013 I did a deep dive into Eastern Orthodoxy for 7 years but could not quite make the switch although my Mariology grew a lot.

I have a great respect for Orthodoxy and am glad what you picked up was a devotion to Mary.

Tigger45 said:
Afterwards even as a Lutheran LCMS ...

Probably the best kind of Lutheran right now in the USA, for whom I have some small hope of unity with in my limited lifetime.

Tigger45 said:
... I frequently stopped in on one of two Catholic churches offering Eucharistic adoration on the way home from work to decompress and enjoyed meditating on the appropriate Rosary for the day.

Adoration is a blessing.

When you are ready to come back all you have to do is make a good confession. You might want to consider attending OCIA (was called RCIA) classes but you shouldn't be forced to do so as you already are Catholic. In any event, ask your questions here and find a good Catholic priest and go from there.

RileyG · Monday at 12:23 AM

chevyontheriver said:
Christian nationalism isn’t a huge thing in the Catholic Church. We are far more international. When we say ‘Christ is king’ it’s not a dog whistle for any sort of nationalism but an understanding that Jesus is Lord of all. We celebrate the feast of Christ the king at the end of the liturgical year, which comes up in a few short weeks. We’ve been doing that far longer than any ‘Christian nationalism’ malarial dream has infected evangelicals or panicked the progressives.

There are some Christian’s nationalist Catholics I suppose, but they’re not terribly common.

Amen, my brother in Christ! Very well said!

RileyG · Monday at 12:24 AM

narnia59 said:
Christian nationalism in general is not an issue in the Catholic Church.

What is more common in the Catholic Church in America is that many people let their political affiliation define their values and form their conscience instead of the Church. If you let the Catholic Church form your conscience you will find yourself politically homeless but doing the best you can to vote with a Catholic mindset.

My two cents.

As a faithful Catholic, I can only consider myself a very, very moderate conservative, and resisted Republican. Neither political party has my "allegiance."

Christ comes first. Always.

Very well said, my friend.

RileyG · Monday at 12:25 AM

Tigger45 said:
A bit of my history. I was baptized Catholic as an infant. Both sides of our family are Catholic although our mother was nominal when we were growing up but is very active now and our father was anti-organized religion but encouraged us to seek out our own spirituality. We/I might attend the Catholic church a few times a year. Holidays and midnight Mass was always looked forward to. At 30 y/o I became a devout Evangelical. 2013 I did a deep dive into Eastern Orthodoxy for 7 years but could not quite make the switch although my Mariology grew a lot. Afterwards even as a Lutheran LCMC I frequently stopped in on one of two Catholic churches offering Eucharistic adoration on the way home from work to decompress and enjoyed meditating on the appropriate Rosary for the day.

Unless I am mistaken, were you ever an Episcopalian or independent Anglican? I remember you very well!

God bless you abundantly!

:prayer:

Tigger45 · Monday at 7:07 PM

RileyG said:
Unless I am mistaken, were you ever an Episcopalian or independent Anglican? I remember you very well!

God bless you abundantly!

I visited the Episcopal cathedral in my last town quite a bit. I just read lately that the Rector i liked quite a bit is retiring due to issues brought on by Covid. I've also visited a couple of ACNA parishes over time.

Akita Suggagaki · 2025-11-08T10:42:27-0600

RileyG said:
As a faithful Catholic, I can only consider myself a very, very moderate conservative, and resisted Republican. Neither political party has my "allegiance."

Christ comes first. Always.

Very well said, my friend.

Whether one is Right or Left the Catholic Social Teaching will be a challenge. The challenge is consistency. Our political biases are usually pretty inconsistent.

Gnarwhal · 2025-11-08T23:25:11-0600

Not for nothing but Taylor Marshall just put out a book called Christian Patriot, and I know he stresses the distinction between nationalism and patriotism, and says patriotism is a good whereas nationalism not so much. It's either problematic itself or can at least lead to other modes of thinking that are.

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Christian nationalism in Catholicism

Tigger45

Mt 9:13..."I desire mercy, not sacrifice"...

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Bob Crowley

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chevyontheriver

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narnia59

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Tigger45

Mt 9:13..."I desire mercy, not sacrifice"...

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chevyontheriver

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RileyG

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RileyG

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RileyG

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Tigger45

Mt 9:13..."I desire mercy, not sacrifice"...

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Akita Suggagaki

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Gnarwhal

☩ Broman Catholic ☩

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