Charleston Catholics and Slavery: Comparing the Pro-Slavery Arguments of Bishops John England and Patrick Lynch
Abstract
Abstract: The administrations of John England, first bishop of the Diocese of Charleston, and Patrick Lynch, the diocese's third bishop, extended from 1820 to 1882. For nearly all of the tumultuous nineteenth century, they sought to reconcile Catholic Church doctrines regarding slavery and racial prejudice. Both men undertook diplomatic missions in their attempts to bridge secular and sacred spheres of influence. Bishop England represented the Holy See in a mission to the Republic of Haiti while Lynch undertook to influence Rome on behalf of the Confederate States of America. Both missions failed in part because they were grounded on the political, intellectual, and ethical impossibilities of defending the institution of slavery.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Catholicism and Religious Studies
Colonialism
slavery
and trade
Religious and Theological Studies
Publication details
- Journal / source
- U.S. Catholic historian
- Volume
- 44
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 143–167
- Publication date
- 1 January 2026
- Language
- EN