Escandon and Settlement of Lower Rfo Grande, I738-I779
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vicinity, and its more central location in regard to the rest of the pro- posed diocese. 79 It was not until April 20, 1769, that the Cabildo of the Cathedral of Michoacan rendered its report during the vacancy of the episcopal see. It declared that the Custodia de Rio Verde was the only portion of the Diocese of Michoacan that would be affected by the erection of the new bishopric. This region yielded an annual revenue of five thousand pesos. But in the opinion of the C abildo this section was not really needed to form the new bishopric, nor would its spiritual administration be greatly benefited, because communication with the seat of the new diocese would be even more difficult than with Michoacan. 80 In the meantime the viceroy had again asked the Archbishop of Mexico to make a detailed report on the erection of the proposed bishopric. This prelate, the ranking official of the Church in Mexico, complied with the request on April 23, 1769. In his long report he began by stating that he was still against the establishment of the episcopal seat of the new diocese in the Villa de Santander, as he had expressed it in his previous opinion, but not opposed to the erection of the proposed bishopric. As a matter of fact he was fully aware of its need. The new Province of Nuevo Santander, nominally under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Guadalajara, had not recognized any spiritual supervision since its establishment. It was too far from Guadalajara for effective administration. The same thing was true, he declared, concerning Coahuila, and more particularly in the case of the still more remote Province of Texas or Nuevas Philipinas, both of which had suffered considerable neglect in spiritual matters due to the immense distance that lay between them and Guadalajara. Although the Archbishopric of Mexico was the closest to Nuevo Santander, this archdiocese was not in the position to look after its spiritual needs. In view of these facts the Archbishop strongly favored the erection of a new bishopric. The most appropriate place for the episcopal seat was not Monterrey as he had previously recommended, but Linares. This town was not subject to floods as Monterrey, and offered all the advantages of the former city. The new bishopric should be styled Obispado del Nuevo Reyno de Le6n, or given such name as His Majesty might desire. It should exercise jurisdiction over Nuevo Le6n, Nuevo Santander, 79 Rcport of Palacio and Osorio, 1766-1767. A.G. ill., Provincias lnter111JS, v. 17 4 , pp. 274-286. 79 Report of Palacio and Osorio, 1766-1767. A. G. ill., Provincias /niernas, v. 174 , V. l 7 3, pp. l 60-165.
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