"Cardinal Pio Laghi-- who served in Washington for 10 years, as the first nuncio after the establishment of full diplomatic ties between the US and the Holy See-- told the Italian daily Corriere della Sera that relations were generally good... The US was very late to open formal diplomatic relations with the Holy See, the cardinal observed, 'because of the anti-Catholic prejudice that is deeply rooted in American history.' He said that the resistance to accepting a papal envoy was gradually overcome... The crucial breakthrough, however, came with the Reagan presidency, he said."
I wonder whether the Cardinal thinks anti-Catholic prejudice has now been relegated to history. In fact, one might wonder whether any real progress has been made at all toward eradicating anti-Catholic bias. Or, is what we are seeing today just a resurgence of the past?
I think Reagan, being a man of deeply held convictions, was certainly the right man in the right place at the right time to warm up relations with the Vatican. However, I'm not convinced his presence or actions reflected a general thawing of the place of Catholics in American society.
To give just one example, it seems today the claim to be Catholic is not a barrier to anything; whereas being a devout Catholic, or devout Christian, seems to disqualify all sorts of good people from public service.
just another reason to thank God for reagan. what a hero.