[Heart-Rest]

"If I recall correctly, the original St. Patrick’s in New York, now in what’s Chinatown, was saved from the fate of the burned church in Philadelphia by the Cardinal making it clear he wouldn’t hold back Catholic mobs from doing the same to Protestant churches should a Protestant mob touch it."

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That sounds like he was trying to act like a father might to protect his family from the bad guys.

[BlueDragon]

Meanwhile Bishop Kenrick, who issued an order to temporarily close the Catholic churches and pleaded for an end of violence, took refuge in the country.

Sound like you didn't check one of the recently supplied links to another FR thread; Philadelphia’s immigration lessons: How fear and hatred led to 19th century riots, which had link to the source for that article http://catholicphilly.com/2013/06/news/local-news/local-catholic-news/philadelphias-immigration-lessons-how-fear-and-hatred-led-to-19th-century-riots/ where you would have been able to see;

Meanwhile Bishop Kenrick, who issued an order to temporarily close the Catholic churches and pleaded for an end of violence, took refuge in the country.