"Utilizing newly opened archival information, the authors of this scholarly resource illuminate the American Catholic experience through 1,200 signed articles and 300 illustrations. Examined are issues, movements. demographics, and history and wars in relation to American Catholics. Issues often neglected by the church are treated: the growing voice of American Catholic women and the church's lack of involvement in the issue of slavery. Since so much immigration history is reflected in American Catholic history, many ethnic groups have their own entries. Biographies abound and many states have their own entries. Added features include primary documents, such as the American Catholic Bishops' Doctrine on Racism".--"Outstanding Reference Sources : the 1999 Selection of New Titles", American Libraries, May 1999. Comp. by the Reference Sources Committee, RUSA, ALA.