You might also try exploring the various public/pastoral letters and other documents of the US Catholic Bishops (individually, or in conference) during periods of particular controversy. I have used, in passing, ("Heretical Plants of Irish Growth": Catholic Critics of Mathewite Temperance The Catholic Historical Review - October 2005, pp. 611-632) some of the material from the 1840s, but I'm sure it came up from time to time. The church had a complicated position on alcohol and temperance movements, and the language may be a bit nuanced, but I think bishops articulated from time to time opposition to elements of temperance as an organized campaign. Check German-born bishops in particular! Paul Townend ________________________________ From: Alcohol and Drugs History Society on behalf of K. Austin Kerr Sent: Mon 3/10/2008 3:13 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Temperance Opposition? John, Galliher wrote: > Dear Colleagues; > > I'm searching around for ideas and citations on the issue of organized > opposition to the U.S. Prohibition of alcohol. Joe Gusfield could think of > nothing off the top of his head and Harry Levine recommended that I contact > this list serve. > > Since the largely protestant WCTU pushed hard against the culture of Jews > and Roman Catholics I'm wondering if they pushed back. > > Thanks in advance. > > John Galliher >