loading . . . The American Catholic Church? In 2026 and I find myself asking if there will be a splinter American Catholic Church. I think this worth analyzing because of _so_ many factors. The Pope outright takes on the Trump Administration in his preachings, social media posts, and actions. Catholics protests in the streets. Some Bishops disagree with the Pope, as do some prominent Catholics despite, you know, _Catholicism_. I could go on, but if you’re reading this, you’re probably interested in religion like I am and have followed some of this, even if involuntary.
In short, could a bunch of Conservative “Catholics” spin off their own Church?
Now I’ve been thinking this over for awhile, because an American Catholic Church would be a major cultural change, _and_ because it’s fascinating to analyze. So let’s get to it – and be sure you write me back with _your_ thoughts because this could be important – as well as interesting.
So first of all, let’s get to it – there are people in America that claim to be Catholic but also don’t seem to agree with the Pope or even some general teachings of the Church. The Pople in 2026 doesn’t seem to have any tolerance for this crap, but we also see Catholics (including some Bishops) sort of not listening to the Pope. Again, I mean you’re Catholic, the Pope is _sort of your thing_.
So I was thinking, what motivates these people who want to be Catholic but you know, not _be Catholic_. Some of them seem to be converts and opportunists, but there’s a chunk of Catholics that seem to want to be something else. So why be Catholic – either becoming or staying?
* Catholicism is old and has history. People thus attribute stability, accuracy, and endurance to it. People assume old is _right_. I’d argue _timeless_ is more likely to be right, but in their case age is good.
* Catholicism has a reputation for _organization_. It’s got your ceremonies and your penances and stations of the cross and all of that. If you like structure, they’ve got you covered.
* Catholicism also has _class_ and _style_. You’ve got gorgeous churches, amazing relics, stately robes, great music, and more. I think converts and the like are getting into Catholicism because _it’s classy and they get to feel superior to your average American Evangelical_. Is it a class thing? Probably.
* If you want to be _selective_ you can find Bishops and thinkers and writers who will back whatever weird right-wing control freak beliefs you have.
Catholicism has it all for people who are into control, _and_ you get to have all sorts of dignified and cool ceremonies and churches. Throw in the reputation, and yeah, a certain kind of person might gravitate to it.
Of course I think the various people gravitating to the church, the converts, essentially want to be Evangelical Protestants. That seems to be the mindset they’re coming with. It’s just there’s some people there ready to welcome them – just not this Pope.
So I think there are people who want to be Catholic but not BE Catholic and all that you inherit with it. A spinoff splinter Church in America sounds perfect for them. Think about what you get!
* You get your own Church. You can basically band together some thinkers and bishops and congregations automatically! It’s prefab.
* You can get ahold of some Church finances, probably. The Church seems loaded anyway.
* You get to steal the reputation and rituals and fame of the church. Plus the controversy gets you more attention.
* You can try to become a new rallying point for conservatives and religious authoritarians. All of the above make it easier.
* If you help found this new American Catholic Church, you get a big halo effect. You get fame and attention and _maybe_ the suggestion you’re guided by your god.
So there seems to be no reason for people not to _try_ to create an American Catholic Church. I figure at some point between 2026 to 2030 there’s going to be a possible schism. More so if the Pope keeps going hard at American policy, and he doesn’t seem to want to back down.
Now is it going to succeed? Almost certainly not.
First, even if a split happens I have no reason to believe that it won’t be abortive or small. Any effort to do this would have to be organized, large-scale, well-funded, and _well-attended_ to succeed and hope to have any impact. That takes time, organization, and willingness to risk because if it fails you’ve humiliated yourself, so people will only do it if they _think_ it will work.
However, even if enough people do rally the famous people, the Bishops, and the money to pull it off, I don’t expect it to survive.
Bluntly, any attempt to create an American Catholic Church is going to be creating yet some other “Conservative” political interest group dressed up as religion. It will be home to a bunch of grifters battling with _other_ grifters in the religion scene. The amount of corruption, infighting, and backstabbing resulting will ultimately be destructive.
Meanwhile, while people jockey for power in the American Catholic Church, there will be other authoritarian religious groups against them. They will want the power. They will want the influence. They also will probably draw on previous anti-Catholic sentiment. An American Catholic Church will have enemies within their own political sphere.
Meanwhile the Pope – the _Pope_ – and Catholics around the world will look down on them.
So I expect if an American Catholic Church is created – enough of a possibility to consider – it won’t survive. It’ll fragment from grifting, loose people, find itself at odds with others, and so on. The result will probably be a shrinking denomination that merges into others.
Will it be a wild ride if it happens? Yes. It’ll also be kind of stupid and sad in the end.
So what are your opinions on the possibility of an American Catholic Church?
–Xenofact https://www.xenofact.com/2026/05/03/the-american-catholic-church/
