Public Witness

"Since 1792 the Catholic bishops of the United States have published joint pastoral letters at periodic intervals. These letters were initially missives directed toward validating the patriotism and succoring support of the faithful within a society antagonistic toward their religion. As immigration increased, and the frontier expanded, the bishops sought to balance the tension between civic assimilation and preservation of the faith." "The twentieth century brought a marked change in their letters, as the bishops gained confidence in seeking to expand their sphere of influence toward a broader public. The letters began to address issues of public policy, with notable statements on nuclear weapons and economic capitalism. However, their attempt to produce a statement on women was the first failure in two centuries of such discourse. This overview provides a historic context for the production of these letters and their reception by the public and the press."--BOOK JACKET.