James Gibbons

American prelate James Gibbons (1834-1921) was a cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. Gibbons, who was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on July 23, 1834, rose to prominence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a leading member of the American Catholic hierarchy. Gibbons was a fervent supporter of tolerance and religious freedom who made a substantial contribution to mending the rift between the Catholic Church and other religious groups. His initiatives helped Catholics become more...See more

American prelate James Gibbons (1834-1921) was a cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. Gibbons, who was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on July 23, 1834, rose to prominence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a leading member of the American Catholic hierarchy. Gibbons was a fervent supporter of tolerance and religious freedom who made a substantial contribution to mending the rift between the Catholic Church and other religious groups. His initiatives helped Catholics become more accepted in American society because he thought that Catholicism and democratic values could coexist. Cardinal Gibbons was a prolific writer in addition to his pastoral responsibilities. "The Faith of Our Fathers," his best-known composition, is an American audience-focused defense of Catholicism. On March 24, 1921, Cardinal James Gibbons passed away, leaving behind a significant legacy as a leading figure in the American Catholic Church and an advocate for religious tolerance. See less