 After the war, Verot published a pastoral letter urging his people to "put away all prejudice ...against their former servants", advocated a national coordinator for evangelization among blacks, and brought in French sisters from LePuy to work with them (while acknowledging the resulting language problems).Bishop Verot's courage and energy inspired his parishioners with patience and resolution in repairing the great losses they sustained in their religious and material interests.The Florida vicarate was elevated into a diocese in March, 1870.