What accusation did James Cardinal Gibbons defend the Church against?

James Cardinal Gibbons defended the Church against the accusation of "Americanism." The term refers to a movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that sought to reconcile Catholicism with American values such as democracy and individualism. Critics of Americanism argued that it compromised the Church’s teachings and traditions, suggesting that it placed too much emphasis on personal conscience and cultural adaptation at the expense of established doctrine.

Gibbons, a prominent figure in the Catholic Church in the United States, advocated for the importance of the Church's role in American society while also asserting that Catholic doctrine remained intact despite the challenges of American cultural values. His defense helped to clarify that being a good American and a faithful Catholic were not mutually exclusive, thereby strengthening the Church's position within the rapidly changing social landscape of the time. This was an essential aspect of Gibbons' contribution to the Church's dialogue with American society.