![]() In fairness to Kennedy, the speech reveals the world of Catholic urban legends that he faced. Kennedy’s speech has become the source of a sort of “test act” for Catholic politicians ever since-particularly with respect to the issue of legalized abortion. “I believe in a president whose views on religion are his own private affair,” he assured the assembled Protestant ministers. ![]() ![]() Most of the speech did not defend the role of religion in the public arena but rather denied that his faith would play any role at all. His speech was meant to dispel fears that his presidency would mean a Catholic takeover of America, with the pope dictating public policy. Kennedy eventually tackled that argument head-on in a September 1960 address to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association. Kennedy ran for president in 1960, he was grilled on whether his Catholicism should prevent him from holding the highest office in the land.
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