"John Carroll Letter to Dr. Charles," February 28, 1779
John Carroll was the first Roman Catholic bishop of the United States and the first Archbishop of Baltimore. This letter to Charles Plorden from February 28, 1779 discusses the realities of life for the clergy in early America.
As you read the document, address the following questions:
- What were some of the challenges that John Carroll himself faced as a priest in the United States?
- How does Carroll discuss the new Congress and their treatment of Catholics in the United States?
- What does Carroll say about other priests in the United States? How might their separation from one another have affected the Catholic people in America and their ability to worship?