WINDSOR TERRACE — Being Catholic and a major party’s nominee for President of the United States has always been controversial. It has only occurred four times — including this year — and the reason for controversy has changed.

After Sen. John F. Kennedy, a Catholic from Massachusetts, was elected in 1960, the debate was different. It would be another 44 years until another Catholic, Sen. John Kerry, also from Massachusetts, was nominated.

For President Kennedy and New York Gov. Al Smith, the first Catholic to run for president in 1928, the argument was whether a Catholic was fi t to be elected. Anti-Catholic bigots questioned whether a Catholic would look to the Vatican for guidance in running the country…

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