After the Union Party's resounding defeat in the election, Fr. Coughlin published this "open letter" announcing the suspension of the NUSJ. He claimed that this suspension was necessary because the personal opposition he faced from clerics and laypeople across the nation. Coughlin blamed Fr. Ryan for the bulk of the clerical opposition, just as he blamed Ryan for the Roosevelt victory. At the same time, Coughlin sought to undermine Ryan's influence by charging that Ryan's economic ideas would lead to communism.

Questions:

As you read the document, reflect on the following questions:

• How does Coughlin characterize his relationship with the laity and the clergy of the United States?
• How does Coughlin characterize Ryan's role in his suspension of the NUSJ?