Fr. Charles P. Connor

Fr. Charles P. Connor

Connor attended the University of Scranton where he received a BA degree and an MA degree, Fordham University where he received a Ph.D. degree and the Institute of Philosophy at Catholic University where he received a Ph.B. degree.

Fr. Charles Connor is a parish priest in the Diocese of Scranton, Pennsylvania, and a Church history expert. He also hosts several TV shows on EWTN, including the famous Historic Catholic Converts.

Connor’s book Faith and Fury offers a well-researched and informative look at the role of Catholicism during the American Civil War. While the subtitle mentions the “rise” of Catholicism, the story goes beyond just growth in numbers, it explores how Catholicism developed despite widespread anti-Catholic prejudice at the time. Fr. Charles Connor explains how this growth was more of a complex social shift than just a religious movement.

Fr. Connor brings years of research to this work. His earlier studies, one which includes a dissertation on Archbishop John Joseph Hughes, and his other books like Pioneer Priests and Makeshift Altars, support the depth of this latest book. His background in Church history gives the book a strong foundation while his use of solid documentation adds to its reliability.

The book provides a Catholic viewpoint on the Civil War that isn't often discussed in general history books. It shows how Catholics were present on both sides of the conflict and how they tried to stay faithful to their beliefs despite political and social tensions. Fr. Connor uses letters and writings from bishops of that era to show how deeply divided opinions were within the Catholic community even as they shared a common faith.

The book also draws on the ideas of historians like Arthur Schlesinger Sr. and Monsignor John Tracy Ellis, who believed that anti-Catholic bias was one of the strongest prejudices in U.S. history. This context helps explain why the rise of Catholicism during the Civil War was so remarkable.

Though set in the 19th century, Connor’s book Faith and Fury encourages readers to reflect on how divisions within the Catholic Church then mirror the divides seen today. For example, on the topics like abortion, immigration, and gender. The struggle to remain united while holding different views is a theme that still resonates.

Overall, Faith and Fury is a thoughtful and compelling read for anyone interested in American religious history, especially those curious about how Catholicism managed to grow during one of the most divided periods in the nation’s past.

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Fr. Charles P. Connor: F.A.Q