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011r Catlzolic Heritage in T cxas
On February 19, 1752, Father Fray Miguel Pinilla, as chaplain of the Presidio of San Francisco Xavier, formally declared that the captain and his garrison had incurred the penalty of excommunication as defined by the Papal Bull Cena. Father Fray Joseph Ganzabal personally read the edict of excommunication to the astounded garrison that same day and posted it on the gate of the presidio. 50 The immediate reaction was a wave of indignation on the part of the soldiers who, encouraged by the captain in their defiance, tore up the decree and then burned it. They then drew up an insolent petition demanding immediate absolution. But the mis- sionaries firmly refused the request, pointing out that absolution could not be granted until it was requested with due humility and repentance. Apprehension, turmoil, and general disorder reigned in San Xavier for twenty-four hours. On February 20, Captain Rabago assembled the garrison with beating of drums and announced his decision of abandoning the presidio and allowing the men to proceed to Guadalajara to obtain the desired absolution, if this was not immediately done by the mis- sionaries. This was nothing but a threat to coerce the padres by intimating they would be left unprotected in the midst of hostile Indians. After holding a conference, the recalcitrants decided to send two of the chief offenders, Thoribio de Guevara and Nicolas Carbajal, to Mexico City to represent the case of the soldiers and to solicit absolution, for which journey funds were collected. To all these attempts to frustrate the ecclesiastical censure incurred, the missionaries paid no attention. Before the day was over some of the soldiers thought the matter over and humbly and contritely appealed to Fray Ganzabal for absolution. This was readily granted to them with the authority of Fray Pinilla. The next day almost all the others involved were absolved, including Lieutenant Manuel de Cos. By March 1, all those who had suffered the pain of excommunication had been pardoned and on that day Father Fray Joseph Ganzabal admin- istered the Sacrament of Penance to the humble and repentant garrison. 51 Effect of the edict of excommunication. Although the crisis was passed, this incident was to have serious consequences. The day after the excom- munication was pronounced Captain Rabago sent a long conmlta (consultation) to the viceroy with Guevara and Carbajal, explaining in ~timonio de los Autos fhos. sobre haver representa do.... A. G. I. Audiencia de Merico, 19•3•2 (Dunn Tr. 1750-1751). pp. 126-127. The full text of the ex- communication is given in pp. 174-176. SIThe details of the granting of absolution are found in the Testimonio de los Autos Fhos. previously cited, pp. 179-192.
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