Mormons and Catholics: A History of Solidarity
by -Because of the prominence of certain Mormons in the news lately, people in the United States have been talking a lot about Mormonism. Some members of certain denominations have taken advantage of this “Mormon Moment” to vocalize their claims that Mormonism is a Satan-inspired cult whose members are doubtlessly hell-bound. This religious bigotry has been alarming to me. Religions should not be required to abandon their truth claims, but it is possible to respect other religions without theologically agreeing with them. Perhaps a lesson from history would be appropriate.
In 1879, the Catholic Church was not well established in southern Utah. Father Scanlan, the Catholic official that had been assigned to Utah, wanted to perform a Catholic mass for those few Catholics in Southern Utah, so he traveled to St. George. When he arrived, he encountered several challenges. There were not enough Catholics to form a choir to sing the mass in Latin. There was no cathedral in which to meet. Desperate, Father Scanlan approached local Mormon leaders.
Eager to help their Catholic brothers and sisters, the Mormon leaders offered Father Scanlan the use of the St. George Tabernacle. Recognizing the need for a choir, they assigned the St. George Tabernacle Choir to perform the mass. The Mormon choir rehearsed for six weeks in order to be able to sing the mass in Latin.
On the day of the mass, the few Catholics in southern Utah entered the St. George Tabernacle. Mormons filled in the rest of the congregation seats as an expression of solidarity. Thus the first Catholic High Mass sung by a full, organized choir in Utah was performed in a Mormon tabernacle, by a Mormon choir singing in Latin, to a mixed audience of Mormons and Catholics. While Mormons disagree with Catholics on some theological points, these differences did not impede expressions of respect and solidarity.
Catholics also understand this principle of mutual respect. When the famed Polish pianist Vladimir Jan Kockanski, a Mormon, met with Pope John Paul II in 1981, he gave the Pope a Book of Mormon. Upon recognizing the book, the Pope accepted it, saying, “This is a Mormon publicationÂ… Ah, yes. Beautiful young prophet.” Now, I doubt that Pope John Paul II actually believed that Joseph Smith was a prophet, but that did not prevent him from recognizing that which was beautiful in his guest’s own religion.
Couldn’t we today learn a bit from this history? I for one would be most grateful if those who spread lies and hatred towards Mormons could instead treat us with the same respect and solidarity with which we, with all or imperfections, try to treat them. Theological differences exist, but they need not impede love and respect.