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In modern America, despite challenges such as institutional decline and internal disputes, Catholicism has remarkably maintained its influence, particularly among the country’s elite. The religious group is now the most prominent at several prestigious universities and boasts a majority of followers among Supreme Court justices. The faith is also gaining significant converts who are having a significant impact on public discourse, particularly within conservative circles.
Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance is a prime example of this trend. After converting to Catholicism after his tenure at Yale Law School in 2019, Vance joined a growing list of conservative Catholic converts that includes influential figures such as legal scholars Erika Bachiochi and Adrian Vermeule, political scientist Darel Paul, and writers such as Ross Douthat and Sohrab Ahmari. Matthew Schmitz, an editor at the online magazine Compact and a convert himself, has worked directly with many of these individuals.
These intellectuals often have divergent views on topics such as populism and the legacy of Donald Trump. However, they are united in their critique of traditional Republican adherence to laissez-faire economics and share a commitment to social conservatism shaped by Catholic social teachings. These teachings emphasize the importance of family values and promote economic policies that support the common good, such as fair wages and the right to form unions.
J.D. Vance, in particular, has publicly aligned his political stance with these teachings, advocating policies that he believes will promote the common good, as informed by his Catholic faith.
This alignment of Catholic social principles with political engagement signals a sea change in Republican politics, reflecting a broader dialogue about the role of religion in American public life and its potential to influence politics and culture.
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