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Tl~e Agony of tlze Clmrch in Teza.s, z82r-z836
duties and abused their trust. No accurate record had been kept of moneys received or spent, no effort made to collect the just debts, no care exercised in making loans, no attention paid to the express instruc- tions concerning money matters left by Bishop Marin de Porras during his visitation in 1805. The pastor, he maintained, was in part responsible for allowing such abuses. The accounts handled by Victor Blanco, Mariano Lopez, Francisco Collantes and Manuel Yturri-Castillo, financial administrators from 1809 to 1824, showed that Victor Blanco owed the General Parish Fund Sr,392.50 as follows: $r,ooo.oo supposedly taken by the Insurgents in 1813-an unconfirmed allegation; $153.50 for wine, which was not delivered; $236.00 for candles, not accounted for; and $3.00 which he failed to enter in the ledger. Furthermore, from the Special Fund of Our Lord he had, without proper authorization, loaned the militia company of the city $404.50, and another $240.00 to the veteran company of Bexar. Mariano Lopez and Manuel Yturri-Castillo owed the General Building Fund $211.75 and $382.00, respectively. Yturri-Castillo had also taken $1,063.62,½ from the Fund of the Holy Name. The Dean ordered the immediate repayment of these moneys which were so badly needed by San Fernando. Pena then made new rules and regulations for the administration of Church property and its finances. In the future, only the Dean was to name administrators. They had to be residents of San Antonio, citizens in the full enjoyment of their rights, of good moral character, and who could get two loyal, solvent persons to make bond for them, as stipulated by Bishop Marin de Porras. They were to take the oath in the presence of the pastor and another witness, and receive by inventory, duly dated, all property and moneys to be administered in order that they in turn would be able to account for them in the same manner. Their duties were to receive all stipends and stole fees, which were set by ecclesiastical customs and regulations; to purchase candles, altar breads, and wine needed for the celebration of Mass; pay, upon presentation of bills by the pastor, for all repairs of the church and improvements made in the cemetery, as also for the sacred vessels, vestments, and all other things needed for the administration of the Sacraments, religious ceremonies, and decoration of the church. They were to keep the accounts accurately and were to be held liable for any loan made without the consent of the vicar. They were to furnish the pastor with a detailed annual financial report. On April 25, 1825, the Vicar turned over for collection to Father Garza the notes and accounts due from the various administrators of
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