Rep. Riley M. Moore published a series of posts on March 25, 2026, recounting the arrival of Catholics fleeing persecution in England to St. Clement’s Island, Maryland, and reflecting on their legacy in American history.
In his first post, Moore wrote: “On March 25, 1634 – 392 years ago today – Catholics fleeing persecution in England landed on St. Clement’s Island, Maryland and celebrated the first Mass in the English-speaking Colonies.
Here’s their incredible story: https://t.co/xUiNLqF3mv” (March 25, 2026).
Moore continued his thread by highlighting the role of George Calvert in colonial history: “Nearly a century later, George Calvert was serving King James I as Secretary of State.
After he declared his conversion to Catholicism in 1625, he dreamed of establishing a colony across the ocean where all could freely worship and Catholics could raise their children in the https://t.co/JAbrP0jiig” (March 25, 2026).
The final tweet addressed religious persecution during that era: “Many priests and prominent Catholics were martyred. The most famous was St. Thomas More, the King’s own closest confidant. He was beheaded on Tower Hill in 1535.
That was considered a merciful death. Ordinary priests caught saying Mass were hanged, drawn, and quartered. https://t.co/ODIEkk9Xul” (March 25, 2026).
The historical context referenced by Moore centers on early English Catholic migration to America amid significant religious oppression under Tudor and Stuart monarchs. Figures such as George Calvert—later known as Lord Baltimore—were instrumental in founding Maryland as a haven for religious freedom after facing restrictions due to their faith within England. The violence described by Moore reflects documented practices during periods when anti-Catholic sentiment led to harsh penalties for clergy and laity alike.
