317
Tlee Agony of the Churclz in Texas, 1821-1836
Galvan from the obligation voluntarily contracted by her to aid in the repair of the Alamo. She had written the Vicar first on January 23 that she intended giving the Church fifty pesos to whitewash and repair the Alamo chapel, and then on March 6 asked the Vicar to excuse her from her promise. 16 Without explanation Pena was suddenly recalled. He was replaced by Father Francisco Maynes, who issued a formal notice of his appointment as Vicarius F oranius of the Department of Texas on June 9, 1826. By order of Doctor Jose Leon Lobo, administrator of the Diocese, the notification was to be circulated in Bexar, La Bahia, Guadalupe, Brazos, and Nacogdoches. The powers granted Father Maynes were, with few exceptions, the same as those granted to his predecessor. He could not authorize the celebration of Mass in private chapels, but he could grant faculties for dispensing and absolving practically all cases. He could bless images, sacred vessels and all other things that did not require episcopal conse- cration. He was specifically enjoined to inquire into the manner of living of all ecclesiastics within his jurisdiction-how well they observed their vows, and whether they lived in their respective rectories. 17 Shortly after his return to San Antonio in the capacity of Rural Dean, Father Maynes appointed Francisco Xavier Bustillo his notary. The eccle- siastical notary took his oath of office before Father Refugio de la Garza in San Fernando. 18 How long Maynes held this office, what he did during his administration, and who succeeded him, extant records do not reveal. Probably he was replaced as vicarir&S forani11s for Texas by Father Michael Muldoon. 19 Maynes sr1,cceeds Peiia as n1,ral de(llt. Tlte q1Msti01t of secularization. In 1794 the four missions in San Antonio had been secularized to the extent that they were turned over to the Ordinary (the Bishop of the Diocese), the property was divided among the Indian families then living at the missions and part of the land was sold, after reasonable allotments were made to the former 16 The summary of the visitation and the various actions taken by the first Rural Dean of Texas is from the Libro de Gobier,w y Vici/a Siendo Act11al1"en/e Bicario Foraneo de esta Prova. de los Te:r:as el Br. D11. Juan Nepomuceno de la Pena. Ano 1825. San Ferna11do Cathedral Archives. 17 Aviso al Publico, June 9, 1826, in Libro de Gobierno, San Fernalldo Catliedral Arcl,ives. 18 Titulo de Nolario, September 25, 1826, San Ferna11do Catl,edral Arcliivu. 19 Diligent search failed to reveal further details. Muldoon claimed vicar's powers but left no evidence of appointment.
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