The Irish standard., 1906-12-15

The first Archbishop of Baltimore.
John Carroll. was born at Upper Marl
boro, Maryland. Jan. s, 1875, and died
at Baltimore Dec. 3, 1917, says the
New York Freeman's Journal. At the
time of his death the Catholic Church
of the United States had reached a
point in numbers and prosperity as
unexpected as it was consoling. When
century before the country was with
out religious Orders of educational es-
Establishments. Now there was a. great
change, briefly by his exertions. The
Jesuits, Sulpcians, Augustinians Do
minicans, Carmelite Visitation Nuns.
Sisters of Charity, and others were
planted in the soil, and were growing
up like beautiful vines in the gardens
OF the Church.
The United States had become an
ecclesiastical province, with it's Bish
ops, an increasing body OF clergy, and
a Catholic population numbering over
two hundred thousand. When Dr.
Carroll became u Bishop in 1890 his
diocese comprised the whole of the
United States at that date. The whito
population of tho states totalled at the
time about 100000. OF these only
about 10000 wore Catholics. distributed
as follows: $1,000 in Maryland. 1000
III Pennsylvania. 5000 al Detroit and
Vincenncs. $500 in Illinois. and In all
the other states together there were
not perhaps more than 1000.
tI1e Catholic clergy OF Maryland and
Pennsylvania were subject to tho cc
clesiastical Jurisdiction of the Vicar
Apostolic and Bishop of London, and
he was represented in l77a by Ills
Vicar General, Father Lewis, Superior
OF the Jesuits. Of Tho United States.
Soon after the termination of the. war.
however. the clergy addressed them-
selves To the Holy See. praying that
a, Superior might bc allowed, and that
he might be chosen by THEMSELVES
subject to the appreciation and con-
firrnation OF the Pope. The result OF
this application was the appointment
Of DR.. Carroll. not as Bishop but Pre-
fect-Apostolic, and enjoying: some
episcopal powers. H. may be mentioned
that DIR. Franklin, who was then
American Minister at Paris, had Soma
share in the appointment. F'ranklins
Diary thus, refers to the event:
"1s74, July 1st. The Popes Nuncio
called and acquainted me that the
Pope had OH my recommendation ap-
pointed Rev. John Carroll Superior OF
the Catholic clergy in America, with
many Of the powers OF .. Bishop, and
that probably he would be made
Bishop in partibus before the end Of
the year." In consulting DR.. Franklin.
the Holy See simply wished to pay an
act Of courtesy to the young republic.
DR.. Franklin and Dr. Carroll We're old
friends.
In the beginning Of the year 177s,
upon the outbreak Of the Revolution,
to gain the active assistance Of the
Canadians. or. at least, to secure their
neutrality. was a, matter. of the highest
Importance. hence Congress appointed
three commissioners to repair. to Can
ada. The commissioners We're Or.
Benjamin, Franklin. Samuel Chase and
Charles Carroll .of .carrollton,. and By
a special resolution the last named
gentleman. was. desired TO prevail. on.
Rev. John Carroll. to accompany. the
committee to, Canada. to assist them
in such matters as. they should think
useful
The mission was fruitless. Charles
Carroll Of carrollton and Samuel Chase
remained in Canada to attend to the |
affairs Of the army. But DR.. Frank
Inns health became SO poor that he
was forced to leave the country. with
>eut delay, ana Father Carroll became.