The Church of Humanity is a fictional organization appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. It is an anti-mutant, Christian-based religious sect. The group was created by Joe Casey and first appeared in Uncanny X-Men (2001). Uncanny X-Men writer Chuck Austen featured the group in a controversial storyline in which they brainwashed Nightcrawler in a plot to overthrow the Catholic Church.
Fictional history The Church of Humanity preaches that man is created in God's image, but mutants are not. They are a radical offshoot of the Friends of Humanity anti-mutant group, but with a religious discourse, similar to the Purifiers, the followers of Reverend William Stryker. The Church of Humanity is similar to real-life white supremacist religious groups such as the Christian Identity movement.
The Church of Humanity crucify several mutants on the lawn of the X-Mansion, including Skin, Magma, and Jubilee. Archangel heals Magma and Jubilee using his blood, but Skin does not survive. The X-Men investigate and locate the headquarters of the Church of Humanity.
The Church of Humanity operates as a highly organized, heavily armed religious sect that views mutants as an affront to God's creation. Operating from a massive, high-tech cathedral in Montana, the group was led by a mysterious figure known as the Supreme Pontiff. Unlike political hate groups like Graydon Creed's Friends of Humanity, the Church utilizes religious fundamentalism to justify its acts of terror.
In a controversial narrative, the Church attempted to orchestrate the collapse of the Catholic Church. They brainwashed Nightcrawler into believing he was being ordained as a priest, planning to elevate him to the Papacy. The Church then intended to use image-inducers to fake a rapture, exposure of Nightcrawler's demonic appearance, and mass suicides, thereby destroying the faith of billions. The plot was ultimately foiled by the X-Men.
Members Supreme Pontiff is the leader of the Church of Humanity. General Vicar. Mister Clean. Mutant 143
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All-New, All-Different: Chuck Austen talks 'Uncanny X-Men' New Mutants Week: Magma