The Archdiocese of St. Louis has released a report into the use of slavery among its clergy during the pre-Civil War era.
The report identifies 99 people "enslaved" by Catholic clergy in the archdiocese, including the archdiocese’s first three bishops, 11 diocesan priests and seven other clergymen who ministered there in the 19th century.
“The enslaved individuals identified in this report played a vital role in building the local Church from a small, frontier mission to a thriving archdiocese. Their efforts must be acknowledged, and their stories must be told,” the report states.
