Sounds interesting.
But what role did Catholics play in forming the institutions of this country? What, for example, did 6th century monks have to do with it?
I’m sorry, but this sounds a lot like Afro-centric history does to me. Interesting facts, but irrelevant to the mainstream of events.
Do some research on Charles Carroll and see whether our nation would have survived its own birth without him...
Actually, the thinking of Jefferson and most of the other men of the Enlightment were very much shaped by the Catholic theory of natural law (which is essentially the basis of our Constitution and our country).
Jefferson and other people in the English speaking world were also very impressed by the writings of the 17th century Spanish Jesuit, Suarez, who was the first to come up with the idea of the “consent of the governed” as being a prerequisite for governance. He also developed the Christian theory justifying the overthrow of a despotic government.
Well, not mentioned is that the entire colony of MD was founded by Catholics for the purpose of providing Catholic refuge - along with “tolerance” for all, which England was not doing.
Indeed, a secret truth is that Maryland was NOT named for “Henrietta Maria” (bah! Why the 2nd name of a queen?) but for the Virgin Mary.
Oh, do the Democrats here go into shock when they hear that!
>> But what role did Catholics play in forming the institutions of this country? <<
Read Clarence Thomas’ discourses on St. Thomas Acquinas and Natural Law.