Here's a breakdown of his criticisms:
* Religious and political power: Beecher saw Catholicism as a threat to American democracy and religious freedom. He believed that the Catholic Church, with its centralized hierarchy and emphasis on papal authority, was incompatible with the principles of individual liberty and separation of church and state.
* The "popery" of Catholicism: Beecher used the term "popery" to describe what he saw as the superstitious and idolatrous practices of Catholicism. He objected to practices like transubstantiation (the belief that the bread and wine of communion become the actual body and blood of Christ) and the veneration of saints.
* The "foreign" influence of Catholicism: Beecher believed that the influx of Catholic immigrants from Europe posed a threat to the American Protestant way of life. He saw Catholicism as a foreign ideology that was undermining American values and institutions.
Beecher's criticisms were part of a broader movement known as "nativism," which was characterized by anti-immigrant sentiment and fear of Catholic influence. His writings and sermons contributed to a climate of suspicion and hostility towards Catholics in the United States.
It is important to note that Beecher's criticisms are considered controversial and historically inaccurate by many historians today. His views were deeply rooted in prejudice and ignorance, and they have been condemned for their role in fostering anti-Catholic sentiment.