First Black Priest in U.S. up for Sainthood
By: Newsroom Solutions
Updated: March 18, 2010
The Archbishop of Chicago has announced a commission that will introduce a cause to the Vatican for the nation's first black Catholic priest to be anointed sainthood.
Cardinal Francis George said Wednesday the commission will offer Reverend Augustus Tolton to become Saint Augustus.
Tolton escaped from slavery in Missouri during the Civil War and was baptized in the Catholic Church in Quincy, Illinois.
He traveled to Rome because no American seminary would ordain him.
Tolton spent the remainder of his days establishing a mission for African-Americans on the South Side of Chicago, known today as St. Elizabeth Church.
Cardinal Francis George said Wednesday the commission will offer Reverend Augustus Tolton to become Saint Augustus.
Tolton escaped from slavery in Missouri during the Civil War and was baptized in the Catholic Church in Quincy, Illinois.
He traveled to Rome because no American seminary would ordain him.
Tolton spent the remainder of his days establishing a mission for African-Americans on the South Side of Chicago, known today as St. Elizabeth Church.
