Quotes about Coughlin

John A. Ryan

Father Coughlin has succeeded in persuading his hearers, or at least a large proportion of them, not only that his money theories and remedies are supported by the papal encyclicals, but that his economic teachings in general are on a level with the infallible pronouncements of the Church.

Coughlin was a great admirer of Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini and the Fascists. He was one of the American “heroes” in Nazi Germany, receiving assistance from the Nazi government. Between his anti-Semitism and support for Hitler, Fascism and radical socialism, the Vatican ordered him off the air and shut down his political demagoguery.

George Mundelein

Father Coughlin has the right to express his views on current events, but he is not authorized to speak for the Catholic Church, nor does he represent the doctrine or sentiment of the Church.

In addition to being a Roman Catholic priest, Father Coughlin was an outspoken radio commentator who was well known for his controversial political opinions, see {598783}, {598784}.

Joseph P. Kennedy

… becoming a very dangerous proposition…. an out and out demagogue

Kennedy although sharing some of the pro-Nazi sentiments of Coughlin was one of the first political leaders to recognize Coughlin as a danger. He was one of those instrumental in convincing the Vatican to shut down the priest’s political activities.

J. Edgar Hoover

The Christian Front was planning to murder Jews, communists and a dozen Congressmen…. They advocated a dictatorship, similar to the Hitler dictatorship in Germany.

The Christian Front was one of the network of Fascist organizations established and controlled by “radio priest” Charles E. Coughlin. In 1940 investigative reporter Lawrence Spivak did an expose of the Christian Front and The FBI raided its offices and confiscated many weapons intended for the assassination of people including a dozen members of Congress. See {588484} for a description of the Christian Front.

Detroit Free Press

… a man well known for his congenital inability to tell the truth

Coughlin was one of America’s most virulent hate-mongers. He was pro-Nazi, racist, anti-Semitic and an extremist of the political right wing. He had a weekly radio show which was notorious for its untruths. The Catholic Church was finally so embarrassed that he was ordered to give up his public haranguing.

Arthur Derounian

Like Hitler’s Brownshirts, the Christian Front was ostensibly organized to combat the ‘rising tide of Communism.’ All Jews,... liberals, New Dealers and labor organizations were called Communist; and since the Communist Revolution in America was scheduled to take place ‘any day now,’ the Christian Front–always under Coughlin’s inspiration and guidance—shouted that a private army was the only means to ‘save America.’ Coughlin filled the pages of Social Justice with Hitler’s sewer-spawned lies. He made direct use of Goebbels’ speeches, quoting the Nazi almost word-for-word.... He denounced the ‘poppycock of Democracy’ and branded Democracy as a version of Communism

John A. Ryan

Greater even than the harm done by Father Coughlin’s addresses to Catholics and Protestants who do not accept his teaching is that inflicted upon his faithful followers. What he has done to the emotions and minds and souls of thousands of Catholics in this country is saddening and sickening to contemplate.

John A. Ryan

ugly, cowardly and flagrant

Coughlin Quotes