Flaget, Benedict

Flaget, Benedict (Joseph)

(1763–1850) Catholic prelate; born in Contournat, France. A Sulpician priest, he emigrated to the U.S.A. after the French Revolution and, after pastoral work and teaching theology, served (from 1811) as first bishop of Bardstown (later Louisville), Ky. He traveled tirelessly throughout his far-flung territory, which was ultimately carved into 35 dioceses in seven states; he was influential in building up and staffing the early American church.