the project

bad (adj):
morally objectionable

trouble (n.):
unrest or disorder

BAD

CATHOLICS

GOOD

trouble

stories about people of faith who stepped

outside the lines to fight for social justice

Bad Catholics, Good Trouble

Some Catholics won’t address injustice in their neighborhoods, in their parishes, or in the Church. Some even fight to keep oppressive structures in place.

Other Catholics have taken feet to the streets and bricks to the head in their struggles for social justice.

Both have been labeled “bad” Catholics. Both thought of themselves as “good.” And both raise the question of what it means to be “good” or “bad” Catholics in the first place.

“Trouble” is a tricky word too. People who fight for social justice are often labeled rabble-rousers, law-breakers, and trouble-makers. 

But as the late great freedom fighter John Lewis taught us, sometimes it is right and good to speak truth to power and stir up trouble in the face of injustice. This is what Lewis meant by “good trouble, necessary trouble.” 

Bad Catholics, Good Trouble brings you all their stories: true stories about Catholic injustice and the ordinary people of faith who did extraordinary things to confront white supremacy and colonial violence in their communities — in a webtoon format suitable for readers of all ages!

Created by Dr. Matthew J. Cressler, a historian of anti/racism and American Catholicism, featuring art by Marcus Jimenez, founder of Dauntless Comics, and web design by Dr. Megan Goodwin, Bad Catholics, Good Trouble draws together overlooked histories and vivid imagery to bring the struggle for social justice in American Catholic communities to life.

Chicago 1966

“An Exception to the Rule”

is the first chapter in the Bad Catholics, Good Trouble series: a story of women religious marching for justice — while many of their fellow parishioners fought against integration. Meet Sister Angelica…

praise for

Bad Catholics, Good Trouble

  • from Dr. James Howard Hill Jr.


    “Matthew Cressler’s innovative webcomic weaves together U.S. religious history, social movements, and the haunting relationship between Catholicism and race in the United States, pushing the boundaries of academic study. Going beyond mere entertainment, Cressler’s bold work invites readers on an intellectual journey, challenging the restrictive confines that often exclude popular storytelling from formal academic inquiry.

    Through mesmerizing artwork and thought-provoking narratives, this groundbreaking webcomic uncovers suppressed historical connections, provokes critical reflection, and disrupts established notions of conceptual methodology within the academic study of religion. Brace yourself for a polysemic experience that captures the intricate tapestry of U.S. society, shedding light on the profound intersections of art, storytelling, religion, race, and the lived experiences of those conscripted into a haunting drama whose consequences reverberate far beyond the shadow of the original actors involved.”


    James Howard Hill Jr., Ph.D. is Assistant Professor in the Department of Religion at Boston University.

  • from Dr. Daniel P. Horan, OFM


    “The Gospel is filled with stories about Jesus Christ regularly getting into what the late U.S. Representative John Lewis famously called ‘good trouble.’ Jesus took the side of the marginalized and outcast, the sick and the silenced, the poor and the oppressed, and he announced God’s vision for peace and justice in our communities. And it cost him his earthly life. This new webcomics series Bad Catholics, Good Trouble is a tremendous resource highlighting American Catholics who have walked the talk of Christian discipleship, risking ‘good trouble’ for the sake of social justice in a church and society marred by white supremacy and anti-Black racism. These beautifully written and illustrated comics introduce a new generation to the stories of Catholics who worked for Civil Rights, inspiring in contemporary readers to get into some ‘good trouble’ for the sake of God’s reign. This is a wonderful resource for educators, parents, and anyone interested in learning more about the work of antiracist activists within the American Catholic community.”


    Daniel P. Horan, OFM, PhD is professor of philosophy, religious studies, and theology at Saint Mary’s College (Notre Dame, IN) and author of A White Catholic’s Guide to Racism and Privilege (2021).

  • from Dr. Joseph S. Flipper


    “Bad Catholics, Good Trouble is about people of faith who refuse to let white supremacy and colonial violence go unopposed. The people are real, but their stories often remain hidden. The graphic novel medium makes the history accessible for children, youth, and adults. With compelling writing and inspired illustration, Bad Catholics, Good Trouble is destined to stir things up.”


    Joseph S. Flipper, Ph.D. is the Mary Ann Spearin Chair of Catholic Theology and associate professor of Religious Studies at the University of Dayton.