Diocese of Baltimore - Timeline Event
Time Period
11-06-1789
Description
After the American Revolution, American Catholics sought independence from the bishop of the Apostolic Vicariate of the London District in England, who had ecclesiastical jurisdiction at the time. Because Maryland was one of the few predominantly Catholic colonies, the Holy See established the office of the Apostolic Prefecture of the United States there on November 26, 1784. It was elevated to the Diocese of Baltimore on November 6, 1789, becoming the first diocese in the United States. Bishop John Carroll became the bishop of Baltimore that year as well, making him the first Roman Catholic bishop in the United States.
On April 8, 1808, the diocese was elevated to the status of archdiocese. Today, the archdiocese is recognized as the "premier" episcopal see of the American Roman Catholic Church.
On April 8, 1808, the diocese was elevated to the status of archdiocese. Today, the archdiocese is recognized as the "premier" episcopal see of the American Roman Catholic Church.
Interactive Timeline(s)
Browse Related Timeline Entries
Religious Groups
Catholicism (Western Liturgical Family): Other ARDA LinksCatholicism (Western Liturgical Family): Religious Family Tree
Biographies
Carroll, JohnRelated Dictionary Terms
Catholicism, Roman, PriestPhotographs
Cathedral of the Assumption, Baltimore- photo by Basilica1 at English Wikipedia
John Carroll portrait- Internet Archive- from Biographical Sketch of the Most Rev. John Carroll by John Carroll Brent
Diocese of Baltimore map- Internet Archive- from The Life and Times of John Carroll by Peter Guilday
6th Provincial Council, Baltimore- Internet Archive- from History of the Catholic Church in the United States by John Gilmary Shea
Baltimore, Maryland- New York Public Library Digital Collections
Web Source(s)
https://www.archbalt.org/the-archdiocese/our-history/History of the Archdiocese of Baltimore
Web Page Contributor
Benjamin T. GurrentzAffliated with: Pennsylvania State University, Ph.D. in Sociology
