The Boston Catholic Church 's Power

Beginning in the Middle Ages and through the seventeenth centuries, witch trials occurred in Europe. Many people were accused of being witches some of these people were accused of being witches for not following Christian beliefs at that time and others followed witch prosecutions for goods and money. Furthermore, the stereotypes of witches at this period also had a role in causing witch prosecutions. In this essay I argue how these three components led to the death of so-called witches. Firstly, I will discuss how the Catholic Church had an impact on most prosecutions. Secondly, I will explain how social stereotypes of that period have also influenced with the causes of prosecution of many alleged witches. Thirdly, I will discuss how

“In the 60s, the Catholic Church in Massachusetts began hearing complaints that Father James Porter was sexually molesting children. Rather than relieving him of his duties, the ecclesiastical authorities simply moved him from one parish to another between 1960 and 1967, actually providing him with a fresh supply of unsuspecting families and innocent children to abuse” (Ericsson 162).

In 1692 the area of Salem town and Salem village became very vulnerable to conflict. Severe weather such as hurricanes had damaged land and crops, the effects of King Phillips War began to impact New England society, and colonists were being forced off of the frontiers by Native peoples. The Church and the government were in heavy conflict. And those residing in Salem began to grow suspicious of one another when some prospered and others hadn’t (Marcus, p13).

During the 18th and 19th century, or to be more precise, The Great Awakening was a response to the Enlightenment. Against the Enlightenment that is. That being so, it ended up being a major cause of the revolution in the long run. Not only that but the new religious messages that were emerging were increasingly more democratic overall becoming, in the U.S, messages of greater quality. “Old lights” and “New lights” sprung up and began disagreeing with each other. The effects of the Great Awakening caused religion to have an infringing position on the states. Thus, the people thought it best if the two ideals (Religion and the State) were separate from one another so people aren’t governed by other people’s feelings on religion.

Towards the end of the Middle Ages and into the duration of the Renaissance, the Medieval Church’s social and political power dwindled. Centuries prior the Catholic Church gained a surplus of control, largely due to the stability it maintained during the chaotic breakdown of the Western Roman Empire . Yet toward the end of the Middle Ages the Church set in motion factors that would ultimately lead to its downfall as the definitive figure of authority. However, despite political and social controversy surrounding the church, the institutions it established cleared a path for a new way of thinking, shaping society in an enduring way.

In over a period of years, an increasing amount of attention has been shed to the problem of child sexual abuse in the church. While churches, and other facilities which care for children, have had their experience of this problem, most attention has been brought to the abuse in the Catholic Church. Around the world, case after case has been seen in the press of clergy and members of religious orders being charged with sex offenses against children. Some of these cases go back decades. The issue has certainly brought attention around the world. The reason why, is the question that ponders in everyone mind.

The Salem Witch Trials of 1692 were a series of events that changed the lives of many Puritans forever. Myriads of innocent people were scapegoated, convicted and even executed of witchcraft. It is hard to believe that this absurdity really occurred, and many tried to locate the reasons that led to the evolution of this crisis. While some turned to economic patterns to explain the hysteria, the people’s belief in the Bible and eagerness to conform to slander contributed most to the progression of the Witch Trials.

Although some people say that Salem condoned genocide due to the hallucinogenic fungus on bread, the community was really more focused on the law of their religion, not how they denied people of their natural rights. In Salem, these Puritans had immigrated from New England so they could have more say over what happens in their presence. Although for quite some time the Church of England still controlled these Puritans. This control by the church made them obey their laws which included being denied their natural rights. This indicates why America wanted to separate from the Church of England. The past between Europe and the Puritans is similar to the“Witches” in Salem case. Salem denied these people the right to do practically anything which caused a small rebellion of sorts, such as the girls moving themselves up to the ‘law of the land’. Most accused weren’t guilty of witchcraft, but of using their natural rights. 8

Due to morally bankrupt foundation of the church and state many residents among Salem has remained “selfish” and took advantage to blame on another in order to save themselves through accusations, while others simply did it for greed. An

Michael Rezendes worked for the “Boston Globe” on the Spotlight team, which was small team of people who worked for months on a specific project to make a massive headline on the cover of the “Globe” about every other month. In 2001, Rezendes was working on a small story, one with some potential, alongside his team when they discovered a massive controversy hidden in the dusty files of law offices, parishes, and their own newspaper- the veiled crimes of the assaults on children by local Catholic priests, after which the priests were never convicted.

On January 20, 1961, the first Catholic President of the United States of America was sworn into office. John F. Kennedy held the office of the president during one of the most turbulent times in the history of the United States; the Cold War was in full swing, the Vietnam War was underway, the Civil Rights Movement was gaining momentum, and America was undergoing a large cultural revolution. Many important events required a variety of responses, and instrumental in JFK’s administration was his brother, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, the driving force behind the focus on Civil Rights, and impactful in his meetings with the Soviet Ambassador during the Cuban Missile Crisis. RFK continued his political career after the untimely assassination

The United States of America is known for having a history consisting of intolerance towards ideals and opinions. However, America is showing a turn towards liberalism. America has shown a turn in religion, immigration, and race.

The power of The Church, in The Middle Ages, was enormous. It touched almost everyone's life in many important ways. The Church baptized a person at birth, performed the wedding ceremony at people' marriages, and

Anti-Catholicism in America is a strong reflection of the treatment of Irish Catholics in Britain during the 18th century. Before learning about anti-Catholicism in America, it is essential to understand how this outburst initially began in England. The rapid increase in anti-Catholicism had been flamed by books like Book of Martyrs by John Foxe. This book illustrated how around 300 Protestants were killed between 1555 and 1558 under Queen Mary I, who strongly enforced Catholicism. Then, in 1605 there was the Gunpowder Plot, where a small group of Catholics plotted to blow up the king and members of Parliament. Many believe that the Gunpowder Plot sparked the further immense discrimination and intolerance of Catholics in England. According

During the medieval period, the Church maintained authority by flaunting its wealth, fear and power. Around 500-1500c, Christianity escalated rapidly around Europe, gaining significant power and authority. The people under the Churches power, had to pay a tithe, which was 10% of all they owned. This made the church extremely wealthy. They had enough money to build a Parish church in every village; Parish Churches were usually the biggest and most prestige building in the village. Another way the Catholic Church gained power was by using God’s name as leverage to there royal court, but they usually sided with the king, because of his power.The Church also used fear as a technique