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What 17th Century saint was an early worker in Cartagena ministering to African slaves and a defender of human rights? He was known for personally meeting the slave ships, carrying food to the badly treated, and instructing and baptizing those who were penned up waiting to be sold.

   Junipero Serra
   Bartolome de las Casas
   Peter Claver
   Thomas Mayhew

Your answer was: Peter Claver.
You are correct!!


Answer: St. Peter Claver (1580 – 1654) was a Spanish Jesuit priest and missionary, who ministered to African slaves during the early days of the slave trade in Cartagena. He would often board slave ships at the pilot station, bring food to those in need. He would show kindness, instruct and baptize those brought to the New World to be sold. Peter Claver helped plantation slaves and defended the negro human rights when possible. He was beatified on July 16, 1850 by Pope Pius IX, and canonized on January 15, 1888 by Pope Leo XIII. On July 7, 1896, he was proclaimed the special patron of all the Catholic missions among the negroes.

St. Peter Claver
Scott 899 (1992)