John Carroll, as the first Bishop of Baltimore, held distinct viewpoints that shaped his approach to leading the Catholic Church in the nascent United States. His vision extended beyond mere administration, encompassing significant reforms in liturgical practice and a nuanced, though ultimately controversial, stance on the institution of slavery. Carroll's efforts to adapt the Church to the American context, particularly his advocacy for vernacular
liturgy, showcased a progressive spirit, while his engagement with the issue of slavery reflected the complex moral landscape of his era.
Advocating for Vernacular Liturgy
During Carroll's time, Masses were conducted entirely in Latin, and access to Bible translations for Catholics was limited. Carroll strongly believed that Catholics should be able to read and hear the scriptures in their own language. He insisted that priests perform liturgical readings in the vernacular, a significant departure from established practice. He was a tireless promoter of the Carey Bible, an English-language edition of the Douay-Rheims translation, which was published in sections. He actively encouraged both clergy and laity to purchase subscriptions to this Bible, emphasizing the importance of personal scripture reading.
As both superior of the missions and later as bishop, Carroll consistently promoted the use of vernacular languages in the liturgy. However, he was never able to gain the full support of the Vatican for these changes. In 1787, he articulated his frustration, questioning the rationale behind maintaining an "unknown tongue" when many congregants were "utterly ignorant of the meaning and sense of the public office of the Church." He suggested that continuing the Latin liturgy might be due to "chimerical fears of innovation" or "indolence and inattention" from church leaders. It would be nearly two centuries until Carroll's wish for vernacular language liturgy was realized in the United States, a change that came about as a result of the Second Vatican Council.
Carroll's Complex Stance on Slavery
Recent investigations by Georgetown University and John Carroll University in 2018 revealed that Carroll himself enslaved two men, Charles and Alexis, during his time as bishop and archbishop. In 1806, Carroll sold Alexis to a Baltimore man named Mr. Stenson, but he retained ownership of Charles. In his will, Carroll bequeathed ownership of Charles to his nephew, the diplomat Daniel Brent, with the condition that Brent free Charles within a year of Carroll's death. Carroll also provided Charles with a small inheritance, indicating a degree of personal consideration within the confines of the institution.
While Carroll did not call for the immediate abolition of slavery in his early years, he advocated for the humane treatment and religious education of enslaved people by their owners. In later years, he promoted a policy of voluntary gradual emancipation by slave owners. He believed this approach would prevent the breakup of enslaved families and ensure care for the elderly among them. Responding to critics of this gradual approach, Carroll stated that proceeding immediately to a general emancipation "would not be either humanity toward the Individuals, nor doing justice to the trust, under which the estates have been transmitted and received." This perspective highlights the difficult and often contradictory positions held by individuals in a society deeply entrenched in slavery.
