The Role of Father Badin's Slaves in Frontier Kentucky
Though the so-called "Apostle of Kentucky," Stephen Theodore Badin served as the main, and sometimes the only, Catholic priest in frontier Kentucky, he did not work all alone. While Badin served the Catholic communities spread across the central part of the state, trusted men, women, girls...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
American Catholic Historical Society
2004
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| In: |
American catholic studies
Year: 2004, Volume: 115, Issue: 1, Pages: 1-24 |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Summary: | Though the so-called "Apostle of Kentucky," Stephen Theodore Badin served as the main, and sometimes the only, Catholic priest in frontier Kentucky, he did not work all alone. While Badin served the Catholic communities spread across the central part of the state, trusted men, women, girls and boys stood by his side. Of these various supporters, the most faithful may have been his black slaves, or servants, as they were commonly called. These included George, Stasia, Prince, Jerome, Harry, Jared, and Clem. These persons were both the objects and, to a certain extent, the instruments of Badin's ministry. He directed much of his energy to slaves. Some of these persons warmly embraced the Catholic faith, while others effectively spread the gospel both in word and in deed. While Bardstown Bishop Benedict Joseph Flaget feared for the influence of slaves upon masters, Badin criticized the spread of greed and vice of masters to their slaves. Badin had seen this happen. He moreover knew that his very life depended upon trustworthy slaves. By tending to his farm and by caring for his other material needs, Badin's slaves kept him alive, as well as enabled his ministry. Though the undisputed leader of the Catholic community on the frontier, Badin essentially was a very lonely man. He disliked, if not despised, most of his fellow priests. He wrestled with, then dismissed many of his freespirited parishioners. Yet amidst such challenges in Kentucky, his most faithful companions were his slaves. These so-called inferior souls may best exemplify the fruits of Badin's ministry. |
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| ISSN: | 2161-8534 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: American catholic studies
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