Ep. 2. 39: 1866: The Mind of the Lion

This episode transitions from the Civil War era to the postwar challenges facing the Catholic Church in America, focusing on Archbishop Peter Richard Kenrick’s growing influence and his complex personality. Monsignor and Teresa explore Kenrick’s curmudgeonly independence, his resistance to Roman interference, and his early clashes with Archbishop Martin Spalding as plans for the 1866 Plenary Council of Baltimore unfold. They highlight Kenrick’s proposals for local input in selecting bishops, diocesan property management, and missionary stability—many of which were sidelined—while noting his sharp objections to centralization and Roman control. The episode closes with tensions between American bishops over collegiality, Kenrick’s insistence on procedural integrity, and the stage being set for his dramatic role at the First Vatican Council.