Commonwealth Catholicism A History of Catholic Church in Virginia [Paperback]

“Virginians will welcome Commonwealth Catholicism as an important addition to recent scholarship which depicts the South’s complex religious heritage. Forgarty offers a much needed, comprehensive history of Virginia Catholicism. His thorough and detailed presentation deserves applause. . . . Virginia historians and Catholics will value Commonwealth Catholicism as an essential resource for understanding the state’s past.” —The Virginia Magazine
 

“In a clear, balanced style, Fogarty has woven a narrative that amply deals with bishops, clerics, religious and institutions while introducing the general reader to lay leadership; and he keeps a steady eye as well on the surrounding regional historical landscape.Commonwealth Catholicismis a treasure among a growing trove of recent excellent diocesan histories. Future American Catholic historians will clearly look to this as one of their models.” —American Catholic Studies
 

“In this authoritative narrative the author has left no stone unturned in his effort to describe a remarkable development that covered some four hundred years. This is truly magisterial work that could well serve as model in its comprehensive coverage and attention to detail.” —The Catholic Historical Review
 

“In this excellent book, Gerald P. Fogerty gives us a definitive history of Roman Catholicism in Virginia and West Virginia from the colonial period to the mid 1970’s. This book represents an exceptional contribution to American religious history.” —Journal of American History
 

Gerald P. Fogarty, S. J., William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Religious Studies and History at the University of Virginia, is one of the foremost Catholic historians in the United States. He was recently selected as one of three Catholic scholars on the Jewish Catholic Commislsa