Out of the depth of the Great Depression, which by 1932 had resulted in over thirteen million American workers being unemployed, a charismatic priest, Father Charles E. Coughlin, became “the most loved, most hated and most feared American of his time.”
Some thirty million Americans listened for words of hope to his weekly radio broadcast. Coughlin became convinced that “there was no one in the government who could lead the nation out of its dilemma, so he would do so. He would tell the people who their enemies were.” People wanted solutions and Coughlin provided scapegoats.
He lashed out at the “forces of evil.” He began by attacking communists, capitalists, international bankers, the British and then turned viciously against the Jews, promising to drive the “money-lending Jews out of the temple.” William Cardinal O’Connell of Boston, tried without success to silence Coughlin advising: “The church is for everyone.” Coughlin responded, “The Cardinal has no jurisdiction over me as I have the support of the local Bishop Michael Gallagher.”
By 1933, Coughlin required 106 clerks and 4 personal secretaries to answer the flood of money and mail resulting from his increased radio audience. While he raged against capitalism, he invested heavily in silver and the stock markets. When the press exposed his substantial holdings, he blamed President Roosevelt for the leak, calling him “a liar” and “betrayer.” Coughlin then formed a new political party to defeat FDR in his 1936 presidential campaign, announcing his support for Congressman William Lemke of North Dakota. Lemke came in third with 893,000 votes.
As Hitler spread his anti-Semitism throughout Europe, Coughlin justified Nazi treatment of the Jews as a necessary defense against the spread of communism. As the war progressed, Coughlin supported German policies, calling Hitler a hero. The dominant factors in the ultimate silencing of Coughlin were America’s entry into World War II, his anti-American propaganda and the replacement of Bishop Gallagher with Archbishop Edward Mooney, who, after consultation with the Vatican, ordered Coughlin to cease his non-religious activities or be defrocked. Coughlin complied and ultimately retired a wealthy man from his capitalistic investments.
