St. Thomas considers renaming Loras Hall after research reveals namesake had enslaved woman

The University of St. Thomas is creating a committee to consider a renaming process for one of its buildings after research revealed Bishop Mathias Loras, the hall’s namesake, had enslaved a woman.

University President Julie Sullivan wrote in a letter that the information was revealed when a researcher at Loras College in Iowa, examined the bishop’s personal records.

The researcher learned Loras had purchased a woman named Marie Louise for $800 while he was living in Mobile, Alabama in 1836. The researcher also learned that while Loras "left Marie Louise behind in Alabama when he moved to Iowa, he hired her out to others and used proceeds from her labor to help build his various ministries here," Loras College stated in a letter.

"This is obviously disturbing news, as our own Loras Hall on south campus, originally constructed as one of three residence halls for The Saint Paul Seminary, was named in 1913 in honor of Bishop Loras, who died in 1858 before the founding of St. Thomas in 1885," Sullivan wrote in her letter.

She went on to state, "Bishop Loras’ participation in slavery is reprehensible," and also stated, "a commitment to a comprehensive truth and reconciliation approach cautions us against taking a swift approach to merely erase his name. We do not seek to address our history by removing it; rather, we seek to interrogate and acknowledge our history as part of our decision-making process."

As a result, Sullivan said a panel will take place in October to address questions, "share best practices on truth and reconciliation approaches, and share the approach St. Thomas will use to understand Bishop Loras’ actions and legacy in the context of our university’s history."

Meanwhile, a committee is being formed to "determine best practices related to this issue," and will be tasked with "developing principles that will guide the university to respond when presented with recommendations to rename structures, spaces, programs, etc.," Sullivan stated.