Clergy Dissent in the Old South 1830-1865

[LincolnToddFan]

As a Catholic, I am interested in the stance taken by the Vatican on American slavery and the American Civil War. The impression that I have gotten is that Pope Pius IX at least was sympathetic to the Confederate Cause.. he is alleged to have sent Jefferson Davis a crown of thorns while Davis was in prison.( This "crown" can be seen at the Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond.)

And of course there is the Rumor That Will Not Die. The Jesuits were behind the assassination of President Lincoln.

What about the official stance of the American Catholic clergy during the war? Did they split along regional lines?