Bishop Benedict Joseph Flaget was the first bishop of Bardstown, Kentucky (when it became a diocese in 1808), and later the first bishop of Louisville. He was probably the most important bishop of the early church in America not named John Carroll. He spent the majority of his four decades as bishop traveling by horseback and on foot through his vast diocese. He was an incredibly holy and wise man. When he tried to retire due to illness and the overall breakdown of his body, his flock made such an uproar that his successor was forced to resign and he resumed the see. His counsel was sought on all Church matters in America, and even in Rome when matters touching on America arose.