Bilateral relations between Mexico and the Holy See (1821-1855)

Relations between Mexico and the Holy See were interrupted following Independence. The Holy See recognized the new country in 1836. Mexico had two problems in relation to the Roman Catholic Church; one was royal patronage and the other was the appointment of bishops.

Royal patronage was granted on 16 November 1501. Pope Alexander VI granted to the Catholic monarchs of Spain the tithes from all colonies, conditional on the Kings being responsible for the evangelization of Indians, and funding and building churches.

Meanwhile Pope Julius II, by a privilege issued in 1508, granted Ferdinand the exclusive right of real control over the foundation and construction of all churches, monasteries and hospitals on American soil. Besides the king would appoint the ecclesiastical dignities (archbishops, bishop, etc.) and could change the bishoprics where considered appropriate. The Board is the sum of privileges granted some loads the Church Catholic church planters. The privileges consist of the right to choose clergy to the Church and have a special immunity and ecclesiastical jurisdiction. In return the board of trustees should keep the clergy, facilitate and build hospitals, churches and welfare centers. In order to maintain the clergy, the Holy See granted the Crown's tithe income. The Spanish crown used its power conferred on the Board to preserve their dominance. That took control in the management of revenues, in religious matters and the election of bishops were factors that allowed that goal.

The Plan of Iguala contained three main items: the independence of Mexico under moderate and constitutional monarchy, the Catholic religion as state religion and the creation of Trigarante Army, which was to protect and carry out the plan.

After reaching the Independence of Mexico and guaranteed the privileges of the clergy by the Treaty of Córdoba, the bishops of Mexico felt that it was time to end the patronage linking the Mexican Church with the Spanish Crown. In independent Mexico there were two positions facing the problem of patronage. One, the high clergy and their supporters, was based on an interpretation which held that the trustees had not been awarded to the Spanish nation; but it had been granted to the kings of Castile by the Holy See, so that Mexico could exercise the patronage a concordat with the Holy See was needed. In contrast there was another trend, inspired by the royalist doctrine of the eighteenth century, who played the issue of patronage as a prerogative that the Holy See had granted to the Spanish nation and not the person of the king. Therefore, having broken ties with Spain, that prerogative was in the Mexican state without requesting authorization from the pope. In February 1822, the Regency headed by Agustin de Iturbide, Antonio Joaquin Perez Martinez, bishop of Puebla; and Manuel de la Barcena, convened a diocesan board to solve various ecclesiastical problems. its first meeting, which decided that for the Mexican government to exercise that privilege, it would have to be obtained directly from the Holy See took place in March of that year. However, the Holy See did not recognize another authority other than the king; the Holy See gave the benefit, since it would recognize the independence of Mexico. The board also agreed that until there was an agreement between the Holy See and the Mexican government, the patronage passed to the bishops. Diocesan, therefore, would appoint priests to fill the vacancies benefits. It was agreed that the civil power could exclude priests who for political reasons not to their liking. The diocesan board resolutions were accepted by the Regency and later by the rule of Iturbide.

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Wikipedia