CHAPTER XI
THE AGONY OF THE (:HURCH IN TEXAS, 1821-1836
General umditions. The effect of the prolonged struggle for inde- pendence upon the Church in Texas, particularly upon the missions, was disastrous. Fray Bernardino Vallejo, sick and aged, was relieved of his heavy burden as president of the missions in the summer of 1820 and superseded by Fray Antonio Diaz de Leon, who for several years had taken care of Missions San Francisco and San Juan. In August Fray Miguel Muro came to try to revive the almost lifeless Refugio, and Fray Antonio de Jesus Anzar took up his duties in deserted Mission Espiritu Santo. At this time Father Antonio Valdez was presidia! chaplain at La Bahia. Shortly after the visitation of Bishop Marin de Porras in 1805, the Diocese of Monterrey was left in charge of the Ecclesiastical Cabildo of that city. During the entire revolutionary period little if any super- vision had been exercised over the secular clergy in Texas. Refugio de la Garza, pastor of San Fernando, was more interested in politics than in the spiritual welfare of his flock. In fact, he and his equally worldly assistant, · Jose Dario Zambrano, both sadly ~eglected their spiritual duties-saying Mass only occasionally, never preaching, and seldom, if ever, visiting the sick or comforting the afflicted. The Alamo garrison had no chaplain, and all efforts of Governor Antonio Martinez to secure one proved unavailing. But in December, 1821, at long last Fray Francisco Maynes, then in Natchitoches, informed him that he hoped to be able to assume his duties as chaplain in the spring. Not until November of 1822 did Maynes finally arrive in San Antonio. 1 The reason for such conditions is to be found partly in the fact that during the struggle for independence the hierarchy in Mexico, with few exceptions, generally favored the cause of the Spanish monarchy. Many prelates had, consequently, been forced to abandon their dioceses, and others had died. The new government desired the vacancies filled, but appointments were delayed pending an agreement with the Vatican on the question of the Real Patronato and other issues. In the mean- 1 For a vivid description of the deplorable conditions see William H. Oberste, Hi.rtor,, of Refugio Afi.ssion, 286-293: Francisco Maynes to Governor Maninez, December 3r, r821: Governor Trespalacios to Gaspar Lopez, November 27, 1822, Bexar Ardiives. [ 307]
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