The providentially fit man for the emergency was found in the Rev.John Carroll, of an old Maryland family distinguished alike for patriotism and for faithfulness to Catholic principles.

In June, 1784, he was made prefect apostolic over the Catholic Church in the United States, and the dependence on British jurisdiction was terminated.
When, however, it was proposed that this provisional arrangement should be superseded by the appointment of a bishop, objections not unexpected were encountered from among the clergy.

Already we have had occasion to note the jealousy of episcopal authority that is felt by the clergy of the regular orders.

The lately disbanded Jesuits, with characteristic flexibility of self-adaptation to circumstances, had at once reincorporated themselves under another name, thus to hold the not inconsiderable estates of their order in the State of Maryland.

But the plans of these energetic men either to control the bishop or to prevent his appointment were unsuccessful.