BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY : BLACK BISHOPS AND THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND SLAVERY

The issues of Slavery was one that historically did not see a consistent position by the Catholic Church. But was a subject of a long debate that began early in the history of the church which gave increase support towards abolition in the 19th century. In 1965 the Second Vatican Council declared without qualification that slavery was an " Infamy" that dishonored the creator and was a person in society. Between the 6th  and  12th century there was a growing sentiment that slavery was not compatible with Christian conceptions of charity some argued against slavery whilst others including the influential Thomas Aquinas argued the case for slavery subject to certain restrictions.

The church did succeed in almost entirely enforcing that a free christian could not be enslaved for example when a captive in war, but  this was not consistently applied throughout history as in the case of Pope Paul 111 who sanctioned the enslavement of baptized  christian in Rome.  The first extensive shipment of Black African Slaves from Africa to the Americas was initialed at the request of Bishop Las Casas and authorized by Charles V in 1517.  Catholic Missionaries such as Jesuits who also owned slaves debated about the morality of slavery  continued through out the slave trade. Capuchin Missionaries were excommunicated for calling for the emancipation of Black slaves in the Americas.