[NYer]

But because Kennedy was a Catholic—and for no other reason—he had to go much further, to stand before a hostile audience and effectively renounce his faith, or at least its role in forming his conscience.

The catholic elementary school I attended just happened to be situated, directly across from the Van Wyck Expressway, the major access route between NYC and (then) Idlewild Int'l. Airport. On learning that "candidate" Kennedy's motorcade would be taking that route during school hours, the principal paraded ALL of the students across the road and lined us up along that stretch of the Van Wycke. Back then, classroom size averaged 54 students with at least 2 classes per grade. Kennedy was given quite a cheer by the 800+ catholic school children! Sister then reminded us to go home and tell our parents to vote for John F. Kennedy.

[OpusatFR]

I grew up in a WASP enclave in NY, myself.

My family viewed his election as the second coming and a thumb-in-the-eye to our veddy veddy Episcopal neighbors.

JKK didn't have to deal with homosexual marriage, infanticide, abortion, drug abuse and a host of other societal breakdowns. Perhaps, though, if he had stood for the teachings of the Church, none of this would have occurred. Interesting to think Vatican II came along at the same time.