An Update to Jefferson Davis Papal Crown of Thorns

I posted on this at Is the Jefferson Davis Papal Crown of Thorns A Myth?

More information has been gathered that appears to lean in the direction that no the Pope did not send a handmade crown of thorns to Jefferson Davis. See Update on Jefferson Davis’s Crown of Thorns from Civil War Memory.

The history of the Vatican and the Confederacy is a frustrating one to get a handle on. There is truth, half truth and just plain myths. The fact for instance that it has been accepted that Pope himself made a crowd of thorns for Davis and now perhaps is not true is sort of astounding.

Sadly the myths reach in some quarters a anti Catholic climax with absurd theories that the Vatican killed Lincoln.

I have no doubt that the Vatican took an interest in the United States and of course the South. It has often been said that the Rome and indeed the Vatican is the most important listening post in the World.

Our former Envoy to the Holy See Mary Ann Glendon commented that Rome because of the Vatican has assets all over the world constantly giving them information. She related a humorous story that the American Ambassador to Italy during the Andrew Johnson administration was begging for more money to hold more dinners because that was where much needed information was learned of various worldwide matters . It was like no other place in the world he remarked.

Further it is forgotten but for a great deal of our history American Catholicism was very southern. This increased with the purchase of Louisiana and thus the important Catholic and commercial port of New Orleans.

Finally it has to be admitted that Jefferson Davis was very Catholic friendly. He was educated in Catholic schools and in fact begged one time for the Priest of allow him to convert. He was friendly toward Catholic religious orders. Further it would not have escaped the Vatican's notice that of course Jefferson Davis had a career before the Confederacy. He was Senator of Mississippi (that had a early historic Catholic presence) and was Secretary of War.

But no doubt the Vatican was quite aware that Davis , like Lincoln and Johnson, in the 1850's, as a U.S. Senator from Mississippi was a strong opponent of the anti Catholic Know-Nothing's movement.

Still there is myth. A myth that is promoted by some considerable revisionist history but also by Southern Catholics wanting to show that yes they were loyal to their neighbors.

The fact is the Confederacy never did officially recognize the CSA as some promote. It was not "anti Union". In fact looking at this letter sent to Slidell (another Louisiana angle) it appears the Pope's major concern was how destructive in the loss of life and property this war was becoming.

ROME, December 2, 1864. Messrs. A. Dudley Mann, J. M. Mason, John Slidell, Commissioners of the Confederate States of America, Paris.

HONORABLE GENTLEMEN: Your colleague, Mr. Soutter, has handed me your letter of 11th November, with which, in conformity with the instructions of your Government, you have sent me a copy of the manifesto issued by the Congress of the Confederate States and approved by the most honorable President, in order that the attention of the government of the Holy See, to whom, as well as to the other Governments, you have addressed yourselves, might be called to it.

The sentiments expressed in the manifesto tending, as they do, to the cessation of the most bloody war which still rages in your countries and the putting an end to the disasters which accompany it by proceeding to negotiations for peace, being entirely in accordance with the disposition and character of the august head of the Catholic Church, I did not hesitate a moment in bringing it to the notice of the Holy Father. His Holiness, who has been deeply afflicted by the accounts of the frightful carnage of this obstinate struggle, has heard with satisfaction the expression of the same sentiments; being the vicar on earth of that God who is the author of peace, he yearns to see these wraths appeased and peace restored.

In proof of this he wrote to the arch-bishops of New York and New Orleans as far back as 18th October, 1862. inviting them to exert themselves in bringing about this holy object. You may then, honorable gentlemen, feel well assured that whenever a favorable occasion shall present itself, his holiness will not fail to avail himself of it to hasten so desirable a result and that all nations may be united in the bonds of charity. In acquainting you with this benignant disposition of the Holy Father, I am pleased to declare myself with sentiments of the most distinguished esteem.Truly, your servant, G. Car. Antonelli.

[Del S. S. L’I’mo.]"Official records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion. / Series II, Volume 3: Proclamations, Appointments, etc. of President Davis; State Department Correspondence with Diplomatic Agents,etc, pp.1249-1250.

Now some Southerners jump on this and say LOOK he is calling him President. The Vatican recognized the Confederate States. It should be noted that the Vatican sent a very explicit letter when this called an uproar that they in fact had not given any explicit recognition to the CSA as a nation. The Pope no doubt was much more concerned with ending a war, that was being destructive to his flock on both sides , than entering a debate of what the legal status of the Confederate States was at the time.