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The Religious Affiliation of Comic Book Character
Theresa Cassidy
Siryn
of X-Force, X-Factor Investigations


Theresa Rourke Cassidy, better known as "Siryn," is a member of the mutant superhero who is the daughter of Banshee, of the X-Men. Siryn has been a member of the mutant superhero team X-Force, and more recentlyhas been a affiliated with X-Factor Investigations.

Siryn was born and raised in Ireland. Like the majority of people in Ireland, Siryn is a Catholic. Specifically, Siryn's family is from County Mayo, which is almost entirely Catholic.

Siryn's father, Sean Cassidy (Banshee) and her uncle (Black Tom Cassidy) sent Siryn to a Catholic boarding school, which is where she spent most of her time growing up. X-Force #99 (June 1999) is one of the comics in which Siryn recalls her time at Catholic school. She recalled that she was drinking alcohol even then.

Siryn has rarely been portrayed as particularly religious, however, and is best regarded as a largely nominal Catholic. However, she retains a Catholic sensibility in many ways. She is apparently not a regular church-goer. She struggles with personal demons, such as alcoholism and the influence of her criminal uncle. Nevertheless, in the way Siryn lives her life as a super-hero, she embodies many Catholic ethics and teachings.

During the Onslaught cross-over story arc Siryn was shown praying the Lord's Prayer over her fallen teammates.

Discussion

From: "What religion do superhero's belong to? [sic]" forum discussion started 18 July 2002 on "Toon Zone" website (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=41332; viewed 21 May 2007):

07-18-2002, 01:02 PM
wonderfly

What religion do superhero's [sic] belong to?

I'd like to discuss what religious beliefs are favorite costumed hero's belong to. Everyone knows Daredevil is Catholic. But beyond that, what do we know of superhero's beliefs? I'm thinking of mostly the Marvel Universe, but you DC fans feel free to contribute as well...

07-18-2002, 04:03 PM
Ed Liu

...Sabra, the superheroine protector of Israel, [is] Jewish... While on the topic of national heroes, I vaguely recall an Irish superhero (Shamrock or Siren) in the Marvel Universe, who I would presume to be Catholic. Is the X-Men's Banshee Irish or Scottish? And what's the predominant religion of Scotland, anyway? That would provide a reasonable guess for Dr. Moira MacTaggart from X-Men as well...

Excerpts from: "Are Superheroes Religious?" forum page, started 13 May 2004, in "The John Byrne Forum" section of the Byrne Robotics website (http://jb.24-7intouch.com/forum/get_topic.asp?FID=3&TID=558&DIR=P; viewed 9 January 2006):
Dana Smith
13 May 2004

Catholic folks... Firebird (Bonita Juarez), Jeanne Marie Baubier (Aurora), Daredevil, Living Lightning, Karma (was, not sure if she's still practicing), Dagger (Cloak's partner), Banshee, Siryn?, Sunspot

From: "Claremont's 'Revenge' / CC Trademarks" thread on rec.arts.comics.marvel.xbooks newsgroup (http://groups.google.com/group/rec.arts.comics.marvel.xbooks/browse_thread/thread/b6c76ad39ebedbac/82cfea80ebc7bade; viewed 12 June 2006):
From: Samy Merchi
Date: Sat, May 9 1998 12:00 am

re: "When was the last time that the X-books (or any mainstream comic for that matter) handled religion as something other than an oppressive tool used by narrow minded zealots?"

X-Force #58. Siryn prays over the seemingly dead bodies of X-Force.

From: "Religion of the X-Men" message board started 15 May 2005 on Comic Book Resources website (http://forums.comicbookresources.com/archive/index.php/t-58362.html; viewed 13 June 2006):
Emerald Ghost
05-15-2005, 05:56 PM

Do you ever wonder what religion an X-Man is? I know they are just characters, but still, just for the fun of it.

I am wondering if you could guess their religion by their character, or what they've said, etc.

Archer
05-15-2005, 06:02 PM

Nightcrawler is obviously Roman Catholic. Rahne is Presbyterian. ...and Sunspot, are they Catholic too? ...Dust is Muslim. Kitty is Jewish... Banshee and Siryn are probably Catholic.

From: "Who's Catholic in the Marvel Universe" forum discussion started 5 February 2005 on "HCRealms" website (http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123637; viewed 10 May 2007):

Shellhead
02/05/2005, 15:35

I know a lot of characters are Jewish, so I was wondering who is officially Catholic?

I know Daredevil is. It's a major part of his personality and often occurs in storylines.

I also believe Firebird from the West Coast Avengers... After that, I'm pretty much stumped.

Anyone have any others?

Marvel Catholics:
Daredevil
Firebird

CaptChip
02/05/2005, 20:22

How about the Irish contingent in the X-Universe:

Black Tom Cassidy
Banshee
Siryn


Webpage created 4 January 2006. Last modified 21 May 2007.
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