History Main / CreepyCatholicism

* ''Manga/BlueExorcist'', where Satan is the BigBad and The Vatican [[CorruptChurch are supposed to be]] the BigGood. The main characters (one of which is [[AntiAntiChrist a child of Satan]] ) are studying at a school for exorcists to learn how to fight demons.

* If ComicBook/ChickTracts are to be believed on this matter, Catholicism is an {{Ancient| Conspiracy}} PathOfInspiration responsible for both world wars, Nazism, Communism, Freemasonry, Islam, Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, and even Jack Chick's fellow Protestants removing his tracts from their bookstores because they were sick of his inaccurate, hateful, and all-around ''bizarre'' claims.
* ComicBook/{{Nightcrawler}} from ''Franchise/XMen'' is a devout Catholic, but his demonic appearance is seen as scary by many, and he has an affinity for shadows, which emphasize the "dark" elements of his character. On the other hand, he had a cheerful and nice personality. The film version plays this trope straighter, by giving him a more introverted personality and self-inflicted scars as a way to atone for his sins.

* In ''Film/TheBluesBrothers'', the title characters go "to see 'The Penguin'" - who turns out to be not the ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'' character, but a very stern, heavyset, intimidating Catholic nun who wields a wooden 1-foot ruler like a martial arts weapon and moves with a GhostlyGlide.
* ''{{Film/Constantine}}''. Several of the characters fighting against demonic incursions are Catholics, one of whom is a priest (Father Hennessy). The title character uses Catholic rites against demons, including exorcism and the Last Rites, and is definitively an AntiHero.

* ''VideoGame/{{Blasphemous}}'' is a a {{Metroidvania}} game with horror elements that draws heavily from catholic imagery. The plot is about a morbid world are sins manifest as physical plagues and twist people into abominations.

* Blasphemous is a a {{Metroidvania}} game with horror elements that draws heavily from catholic imagery. The plot is about a morbid world are sins manifest as physical plagues and twist people into abominations.

* If ComicBook/ChickTracts are to be believed on this matter, Catholicism is an {{Ancient| Conspiracy}} PathOfInspiration responsible for Nazism, Communism, Islam, Freemasonry, both world wars, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons and Protestant bookstores removing his tracts from their shelves because they were sick of his bizarre, erroneous and bigoted claims.

TruthInTelevision much of the time, since Catholicism retains many of the "otherworldly" traditions discarded by Protestant churches (the aforementioned Latin chanting, exorcisms, Purgatory, transubstantiation), [[NightmareFuel some of which might seem like something straight out of a horror film to non-Catholics]], especially children. That isn't to say that certain Protestants don't also have some spooky beliefs and rituals (snake-handling, speaking in tongues, the Rapture, beliefs about demons, more exorcisms, etc.). And of course, more knowledgeable Catholics might point to UsefulNotes/OrthodoxChristianity as being even spookier: besides keeping the same beliefs[[note]]The only significant differences between Catholic and Eastern Orthodox are whether the Pope in Rome is supposed to be the head of the Church or just first (if that) among equals among several different leaders, and an incredibly arcane dispute about whether the Holy Spirit "proceeds" from the Father alone or both the Father and the Son--and the Orthodox themselves are split on how important this latter doctrinal issue is, with those emphasizing the difference between them and the Western Church calling it all-important and fundamental and those emphasizing commonality with the Western Church considering it a mere quibble. The Oriental Orthodox churches and Churches of the East also quibble with the Eastern Orthodox and the Catholics on arcane metaphysical points of doctrine about the nature of Jesus and the Trinity that (1) appear picayune in light of the gulf between all of them and Protestantism and (2) merely confirm the otherworldliness of their orientation.[[/note]] and medieval trappings -- and ''then'' some -- you think the chanting is ominous when it's in Latin? Try it in archaic Greek, or Syriac, or Old Slavonic, or ''Coptic'' (which is ''Ancient Egyptian'' with some Greek tossed in), plus people prostrating themselves and hermits [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hesychasm going into really weird kinds of meditation.]] Catholics in general were historically also more open to science and magic (relatively, of course; one can list many heresy cases for either, after all), having an extensive number of scientists and alchemists under its name, so it is a lot easier to demonize Catholicism as demonic or "false Christian" than other Christian groups, which often tend to reject science and/or magic.

TruthInTelevision much of the time, since Catholicism retains many of the "otherworldly" traditions discarded by Protestant churches (the aforementioned Latin chanting, exorcisms, Purgatory, transubstantiation), [[NightmareFuel some of which might seem like something straight out of a horror film to non-Catholics]], especially children. That isn't to say that certain Protestants don't also have some spooky beliefs and rituals (snake-handling, the Rapture, beliefs about demons etc.). And of course, more knowledgeable Catholics might point to UsefulNotes/OrthodoxChristianity as being even spookier: besides keeping the same beliefs[[note]]The only significant differences between Catholic and Eastern Orthodox are whether the Pope in Rome is supposed to be the head of the Church or just first (if that) among equals among several different leaders, and an incredibly arcane dispute about whether the Holy Spirit "proceeds" from the Father alone or both the Father and the Son--and the Orthodox themselves are split on how important this latter doctrinal issue is, with those emphasizing the difference between them and the Western Church calling it all-important and fundamental and those emphasizing commonality with the Western Church considering it a mere quibble. The Oriental Orthodox churches and Churches of the East also quibble with the Eastern Orthodox and the Catholics on arcane metaphysical points of doctrine about the nature of Jesus and the Trinity that (1) appear picayune in light of the gulf between all of them and Protestantism and (2) merely confirm the otherworldliness of their orientation.[[/note]] and medieval trappings -- and ''then'' some -- you think the chanting is ominous when it's in Latin? Try it in archaic Greek, or Syriac, or Old Slavonic, or ''Coptic'' (which is ''Ancient Egyptian'' with some Greek tossed in), plus people prostrating themselves and hermits [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hesychasm going into really weird kinds of meditation.]] Catholics in general were historically also more open to science and magic (relatively, of course; one can list many heresy cases for either, after all), having an extensive number of scientists and alchemists under its name, so it is a lot easier to demonize Catholicism as demonic or "false Christian" than other Christian groups, which often tend to reject science and/or magic.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheHunchbackOfNotreDame'': Frollo's [[VillainSong "Hellfire"]], one of the most famous {{Villain Song}}s ever, is a PrayerOfMalice in which Frollo asks the Virgin Mary to destroy Esmeralda.

CreepyCathedral and HollywoodExorcism are generally associated with this trope. If a PedophilePriest or a SinisterMinister appears, he'll probably be Catholic (but not always). May have something to do with ChristianityIsCatholic. AnimeCatholicism may overlap with this trope.

[[quoteright:220:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/0001d0q2_7374.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:220:[[Franchise/StarWars I find your lack of faith disturbing.]] ]]

* From ''Manga/BlackLagoon'', "The Church of Violence" run with an iron fist by Sister Yolanda, an (apparently) elderly nun who wears an eyepatch and a fully - loaded, custom Desert Eagle pistol under her habit at all times. The church is [[spoiler:not actually an official subsidiary of the Catholic Church, it's a cover for a gunrunning operation that is funded by the CIA]].

* The Vatican in Manga/{{Hellsing}} is portrayed as a rather dangerously fanatical organization with a violent hatred of Protestants and other non-believers. They are technically a force for good, since they fight against monsters and vampires as well, but their KnightTemplar actions in the series make them secondary antagonists.

* ''{{Film/Constantine}}''. Several of the characters fighting against demonic incursions are Catholics, one of whom is a priest (Father Hennessy). The title character uses Catholic rites against demons, including exorcism and the Last Rites, and is definitively an AntiHero.
* In ''Film/TheBluesBrothers'', the title characters go "to see 'The Penguin'" - who turns out to be not the ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'' character, but a very stern, heavyset, intimidating Catholic nun who wields a wooden 1-foot ruler like a martial arts weapon and moves with a GhostlyGlide.
%%%% ZCE %%%* ''Film/TheNun''

* ''Brave New World'' supplement ''Covenant''. The Catholic Church has a secret group of heroes with superpowers that fight against demonic influence and other supernatural monsters.

[[folder:Tabletop Games]]

* Many of ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'''s more outlandish religious elements (concerning the Imperial creed, [[CosmicHorror the Dark Gods are something else entirely]]) are Flanderized elements of Catholicism: everyone wears hooded robes, exorcisms are a necessity (one SpaceMarine chapter even uses it as part of their initiation), pipe organs are mounted on tank treads to provide inspiring hymns and missile support... old canon even implied the Emperor was Jesus and Saint George in one of his many "guide humanity towards betterment" disguises, but new canon only kept Saint George (replacing the dragon with the C'tan star vampire called the Void Dragon and killing it by locking it up on Mars).

TruthInTelevision much of the time, since Catholicism retains many of the "otherworldly" traditions discarded by Protestant churches (the aforementioned Latin chanting, exorcisms, Purgatory, transubstantiation), [[NightmareFuel some of which might seem like something straight out of a horror film to non-Catholics]], especially children. That isn't to say that certain Protestants don't also have some spooky beliefs and rituals (snake-handling, the Rapture, etc.). And of course, more knowledgeable Catholics might point to UsefulNotes/OrthodoxChristianity as being even spookier: besides keeping the same beliefs[[note]]The only significant differences between Catholic and Eastern Orthodox are whether the Pope in Rome is supposed to be the head of the Church or just first (if that) among equals among several different leaders, and an incredibly arcane dispute about whether the Holy Spirit "proceeds" from the Father alone or both the Father and the Son--and the Orthodox themselves are split on how important this latter doctrinal issue is, with those emphasizing the difference between them and the Western Church calling it all-important and fundamental and those emphasizing commonality with the Western Church considering it a mere quibble. The Oriental Orthodox churches and Churches of the East also quibble with the Eastern Orthodox and the Catholics on arcane metaphysical points of doctrine about the nature of Jesus and the Trinity that (1) appear picayune in light of the gulf between all of them and Protestantism and (2) merely confirm the otherworldliness of their orientation.[[/note]] and medieval trappings -- and ''then'' some -- you think the chanting is ominous when it's in Latin? Try it in archaic Greek, or Syriac, or Old Slavonic, or ''Coptic'' (which is ''Ancient Egyptian'' with some Greek tossed in), plus people prostrating themselves and hermits [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hesychasm going into really weird kinds of meditation.]] Catholics in general were historically also more open to science and magic (relatively, of course; one can list many heresy cases for either, after all), having an extensive number of scientists and alchemists under its name, so it is a lot easier to demonize Catholicism as demonic or "false Christian" than other Christian groups, which often tend to reject science and/or magic.

* ''Literature/TheDaVinciCode'': Features the self-mutilating monk Silas, a member of a heavily fictionalized version of the Catholic Opus Dei organization and one of the main antagonists. Silas himself is definitely meant to exude creepy, but Opus Dei itself is characterized as a sinister secret society in service to the Pope and a part of an AncientConspiracy. As you can imagine, this portrayal rather annoyed the RealLife Opus Dei organization.

* ''Disney/TheHunchbackOfNotreDame'': Frollo's [[VillainSong "Hellfire"]], one of the most famous {{Villain Song}}s ever, is a PrayerOfMalice in which Frollo asks the Virgin Mary to destroy Esmeralda.

* ''Literature/TheDaVinciCode'': Features the EvilAlbino, self-mutilating monk Silas, a member of a heavily fictionalized version of the Catholic Opus Dei organization and one of the main antagonists. Silas himself is definitely meant to exude creepy, but Opus Dei itself is characterized as a sinister secret society in service to the Pope and a part of an AncientConspiracy. As you can imagine, this portrayal rather annoyed the RealLife Opus Dei organization.

* ''Film/TheNun'' is basically this trope if it were made into a movie.

* ''Series/TheBorgias''

* Through extensive and chillingly visceral CrystalDragonJesus, ''TabletopGame/MagicTheGathering'' has made an art out of portraying [[FantasyCounterpartReligion fantasy Catholicism]] as corrupt and fanatical. And, naturally, [[LightIsNotGood always white-aligned]] (except for a few examples dabbling with [[DarkIsEvil black-magic]]).

* Many of ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'''s more outlandish religious elements (concerning the Imperial creed, [[CosmicHorror the Dark Gods are something else entirely]]) are Flanderized elements of Catholicism: everyone wears hooded robes, exorcisms are a necessity (one SpaceMarine chapter even uses it as part of their initiation), pipe organs are mounted on tank treads to provide inspiring hymns and missile support... old canon even implied the Emperor was Jesus and Saint George in one of his many "guide humanity towards betterment" disguises, new canon only kept Saint George (replacing the dragon with the C'tan star vampire called the Void Dragon and killing it with locking it up on Mars).

TruthInTelevision much of the time, since Catholicism retains many of the "otherworldly" traditions discarded by Protestant churches (the aforementioned Latin chanting, exorcisms, Purgatory, transubstantiation), [[AccidentalNightmareFuel some of which might seem like something straight out of a horror film to non-Catholics]], especially children. That isn't to say that certain Protestants don't also have some spooky beliefs and rituals (snake-handling, the Rapture, etc.). And of course, more knowledgeable Catholics might point to UsefulNotes/OrthodoxChristianity as being even spookier: besides keeping the same beliefs[[note]]The only significant differences between Catholic and Eastern Orthodox are whether the Pope in Rome is supposed to be the head of the Church or just first (if that) among equals among several different leaders, and an incredibly arcane dispute about whether the Holy Spirit "proceeds" from the Father alone or both the Father and the Son--and the Orthodox themselves are split on how important this latter doctrinal issue is, with those emphasizing the difference between them and the Western Church calling it all-important and fundamental and those emphasizing commonality with the Western Church considering it a mere quibble. The Oriental Orthodox churches and Churches of the East also quibble with the Eastern Orthodox and the Catholics on arcane metaphysical points of doctrine about the nature of Jesus and the Trinity that (1) appear picayune in light of the gulf between all of them and Protestantism and (2) merely confirm the otherworldliness of their orientation.[[/note]] and medieval trappings -- and ''then'' some -- you think the chanting is ominous when it's in Latin? Try it in archaic Greek, or Syriac, or Old Slavonic, or ''Coptic'' (which is ''Ancient Egyptian'' with some Greek tossed in), plus people prostrating themselves and hermits [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hesychasm going into really weird kinds of meditation.]] Catholics in general were historically also more open to science and magic (relatively, of course; one can list many heresy cases for either, after all), having an extensive number of scientists and alchemists under its name, so it is a lot easier to demonize Catholicism as demonic or "false Christian" than other Christian groups, which often tend to reject science and/or magic.

TruthInTelevision much of the time, since Catholicism retains many of the "otherworldly" traditions discarded by Protestant churches (the aforementioned Latin chanting, exorcisms, Purgatory, transubstantiation), [[AccidentalNightmareFuel some of which might seem like something straight out of a horror film to non-Catholics]], especially children. That isn't to say that certain Protestants don't also have some spooky beliefs and rituals (snake-handling, the Rapture, etc.). And of course, more knowledgeable Catholics might point to UsefulNotes/OrthodoxChristianity as being even spookier: besides keeping the same beliefs[[note]]The only significant differences between Catholic and Eastern Orthodox are whether the Pope in Rome is supposed to be the head of the Church or just first (if that) among equals among several different leaders, and an incredibly arcane dispute about whether the Holy Spirit "proceeds" from the Father alone or both the Father and the Son--and the Orthodox themselves are split on how important this latter doctrinal issue is, with those emphasizing the difference between them and the Western Church calling it all-important and fundamental and those emphasizing commonality with the Western Church considering it a mere quibble. The Oriental Orthodox churches and Churches of the East also quibble with the Eastern Orthodox and the Catholics on arcane metaphysical points of doctrine about the nature of Jesus and the Trinity that (1) appear picayune in light of the gulf between all of them and Protestantism and (2) merely confirm the otherworldliness of their orientation.[[/note]] and medieval trappings--and ''then'' some--you think the chanting is ominous when it's in Latin? Try it in archaic Greek, or Syriac, or Old Slavonic, or ''Coptic'' (which is ''Ancient Egyptian'' with some Greek tossed in), plus people prostrating themselves and hermits [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hesychasm going into really weird kinds of meditation.]] Catholics in general were historically also more open to science and magic (relatively, of course; one can list many heresy cases for either, after all), having an extensive number of scientists and alchemists under its name, so it is a lot easier to demonize Catholicism as demonic or "false Christian" than other Christian groups, which often tend to reject science and/or magic.

[[folder: Anime and Manga ]]

[[folder: Comics ]]

[[folder: Films -- Animated ]]

[[folder: Films -- Live-Action ]]

[[folder: Literature ]]

[[folder: Live-Action TV ]]

[[folder: Music ]]

[[folder: Tabletop Games ]]

** In Dominaria, the old Church of Tal had elements of medieval Catholicism, both aesthetic (Templar-like knights, black-wearing priests, witchunters) and philosophical (witchunting, taking specific literature as key above all other forms of religious expression). A [[AntiMagicalFaction religious institution devoted to purging ther world of magic]], they were revealed to be hypocrites using WhiteMagic spells, and lost their political power.
** Ravnica's Orzhov Syndicate is very blatantly ripped off visually from the catholic church, and holds a similar hierarchy (aside from a pope). They promise salvation to the people of Ravnica, but are essentially a mafia group under a holy façade.

* ''Brave New World'' supplement ''Covenant''. The Catholic Church has a secret group of heroes with super powers that fight against demonic influence and other supernatural monsters.
* Many of ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'''s more outlandish religious elements (concerning the Imperial creed, [[CosmicHorror the Dark Gods are something else entirely]]) are Flanderized elements of Catholicism: everyone wears hooded robes, exorcisms are a necessity (one SpaceMarine chapter even uses it as part of their inititation), pipe organs are mounted on tank treads to provide inspiring hymns and missile support... old canon even implied the Emperor was Jesus and Saint George in one of his many "guide humanity towards betterment" disguises, new canon only kept Saint George (replacing the dragon with the C'tan star vampire called the Void Dragon and killing it with locking it up on Mars).

[[folder: Web Original ]]

[[folder: Western Animation ]]

** Ixalan's Church of Dusk lifts from historical conquistadores ad their fanatical religious obsession. Combined with being literal [[OurVampiresAreDifferent vampires]], it's not hard to see the commentary on Catholicism from that era.

TruthInTelevision much of the time, since Catholicism retains many of the "otherworldly" medieval trappings discarded by Protestant churches (the aforementioned Latin chanting, exorcisms, purgatory, transubstantiation), [[AccidentalNightmareFuel all of which might often seem like something straight out of a horror film to non-Catholics]], especially children. That isn't to say that certain Protestants don't also have some spooky beliefs and rituals (snake-handling, the Rapture, etc.). And of course, more knowledgeable Catholics might point to UsefulNotes/OrthodoxChristianity as being even spookier: besides keeping the same beliefs[[note]]The only significant differences between Catholic and Eastern Orthodox are whether the Pope in Rome is supposed to be the head of the Church or just first (if that) among equals among several different leaders, and an incredibly arcane dispute about whether the Holy Spirit "proceeds" from the Father alone or both the Father and the Son--and the Orthodox themselves are split on how important this latter doctrinal issue is, with those emphasizing the difference between them and the Western Church calling it all-important and fundamental and those emphasizing commonality with the Western Church considering it a mere quibble. The Oriental Orthodox churches and Churches of the East also quibble with the Eastern Orthodox and the Catholics on arcane metaphysical points of doctrine about the nature of Jesus and the Trinity that (1) appear picayune in light of the gulf between all of them and Protestantism and (2) merely confirm the otherworldliness of their orientation.[[/note]] and medieval trappings--and ''then'' some--you think the chanting is ominous when it's in Latin? Try it in archaic Greek, or Syriac, or Old Slavonic, or ''Coptic'' (which is ''Ancient Egyptian'' with some Greek tossed in), plus people prostrating themselves and hermits [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hesychasm going into really weird kinds of meditation.]] Catholics in general were historically also more open to science and magic (relatively, of course; one can list many heresy cases for either, after all), having an extensive number of scientists and alchemists under its name, so it is a lot easier to demonize Catholicism as demonic or "false Christian" than other Christian groups, which often tend to reject science and/or magic.

Creepy Catholicism embraces the description of Catholicism either as simply uncanny and dark or outright criminal and corrupt, especially if compared with other religions. This portrayal is typical of countries characterized by a Protestant majority. Once the Protestant Reformation got going, many Catholic traditions were suppressed. The sort of very bloody and gory art (crucifixes, frescoes of martyred saints, etc.) and ostentatious church decor popular among Italian, Spanish and Latin American Catholics, for example, can be quite shocking to someone from one of the more austere Protestant sects that favors plain wooden crosses and unadorned churches.

* ComicBook/{{Nightcrawler}} from ''Franchise/XMen'' is a devout Catholic, but his demonic appearance is seen as scary by many, and he has an affinity for shadows, which emphasize the "dark" elements of his character. On the other hand, he had a cheerful and nice personality.
** The film version plays this trope straighter, by giving him a more introverted personality and self-inflicted scars as a way to atone for his sins.

-->-- ''Music/{{Madonna}}''

TruthInTelevision much of the time, since Catholicism retains many of the "otherworldly" medieval trappings discarded by Protestant churches (the aforementioned Latin chanting, exorcisms, purgatory, transubstantiation), [[AccidentalNightmareFuel all of which might often seem like something straight out of a horror film to non-Catholics]], especially children. That isn't to say that certain Protestants don't also have some spooky beliefs and rituals (snake-handling, the Rapture, etc.). And of course, more knowledgeable Catholics might point to UsefulNotes/OrthodoxChristianity as being even spookier: besides keeping the same beliefs[[note]]The only significant differences between Catholic and Eastern Orthodox are whether the Pope in Rome is supposed to be the head of the Church or just first (if that) among equals among several different leaders, and an incredibly arcane dispute about whether the Holy Spirit "proceeds" from the Father alone or both the Father and the Son--and the Orthodox themselves are split on how important this latter doctrinal issue is, with those emphasizing the difference between them and the Western Church calling it all-important and fundamental and those emphasizing commonality with the Western Church considering it a mere quibble. The Oriental Orthodox churches and Churches of the East also quibble with the Eastern Orthodox and the Catholics on arcane metaphysical points of doctrine about the nature of Jesus and the Trinity that (1) appear picayune in light of the gulf between all of them and Protestantism and (2) merely confirm the otherworldliness of their orientation.[[/note]] and medieval trappings--and ''then'' some--you think the chanting is ominous when it's in Latin? Try it in archaic Greek, or Syriac, or Old Slavonic, or ''Coptic'' (which is ''Ancient Egyptian'' with some Greek tossed in), plus people prostrating themselves and hermits [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hesychasm going into really weird kinds of meditation.]]