Your search

This 1894 official correspondence, originating from the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (General Directorate of Political and Diplomatic Affairs, 1st Division, Lisbon), concerns ecclesiastical jurisdictional disputes in southern China during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The document comprises copies of communications between the Bishop of Macau, the Secretary of State for Overseas Affairs, and the Portuguese Minister in Paris, relating to the implementation of a territorial exchange agreement between the Diocese of Macau and the Apostolic Prefecture of Canton. Central to the matter is the reciprocal transfer of jurisdictions over Hainan Island and the Shao-king (Shap Kung/Sheung-king) district, initially agreed upon following negotiations culminating in a papal decree of 16 March 1864 and reaffirmed by the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith on 3 February 1903. The Bishop of Macau reports persistent obstruction by the Apostolic Prefect of Canton in executing the transfer, despite prior agreements and Vatican approval. Key issues include resistance from French missionaries under the Paris Foreign Missions Society, delays in handing over mission properties, and alleged diplomatic interference. The text reveals tensions between Portuguese Padroado claims and French ecclesiastical influence in China, as well as Portugal’s efforts to assert its ecclesiastical authority through diplomatic channels with both the Holy See and the French government. This document provides critical insight into colonial religious politics, Sino-European ecclesiastical diplomacy, and the decline of Portuguese ecclesiastical privileges in Asia.

This official correspondence, dated 18 September 1906, originates from the Secretariat of State of His Holiness and is addressed to the Chargé d’Affaires of Portugal accredited to the Holy See. The document records a formal communication by Cardinal P. Merry del Val, Secretary of State, concerning the ecclesiastical recognition of the feast day of Saint Francis Xavier within the Diocese of Macao. It details that the Portuguese Ambassador had requested, during the previous August, the formal establishment of 3 December as a feast day in Macao, following the precedent granted the prior year for the Churches of the East Indies. The letter confirms that the Holy Father has approved this request and encloses the decree issued by the Sacred Congregation of Rites for transmission to the Bishop who initiated the petition. The primary subject matter concerns the extension of liturgical privileges to the Diocese of Macao under Portuguese ecclesiastical patronage, reflecting the diplomatic and religious relations between Portugal and the Holy See in the early 20th century. The document also includes a marginal notation—“Ammesso reggimento”—of unclear significance. As a piece of Vatican diplomatic correspondence, it provides insight into the administrative processes of the Roman Curia, the role of Catholic ceremonial in colonial contexts, and the continued influence of Portugal in ecclesiastical affairs in its overseas territories, particularly Macao. This manuscript is a valuable source for researchers examining church-state relations, colonial religious policy, and the global reach of Catholic liturgical authority in the late imperial period.

This 1905 official correspondence, dated 20 April and originating from the Vatican Chambers (No. 11206), constitutes a formal ecclesiastical response to a petition submitted by the Municipal Council of Bardez concerning the liturgical status of the feast of Saint Francis Xavier. The document, authored by the Cardinal Secretary of State, confirms receipt of a prior communication from a high-ranking civil or ecclesiastical official (referred to as "Your Excellency") dated 7 April 1905. It records that the matter—namely, the elevation of Saint Francis Xavier’s feast day to the status of *festa de pequeno* (lesser festival) across the Eastern Indies—was promptly presented to Pope Pius X. The Pope, expressing satisfaction with the initiative, granted approval in view of the support shown by both the Most Reverend Archbishop of Goa and the Government of His Most Faithful Majesty (the Portuguese Crown). The Holy See accordingly authorised the issuance of an Apostolic Brief to formalise the concession. The text reflects the interplay between colonial ecclesiastical administration, local municipal authority in Portuguese India, and the centralised doctrinal and ceremonial power of the Vatican at the turn of the twentieth century. This document is a primary source for the study of religious culture, colonial governance, and Catholic liturgical policy in the Portuguese Empire during the late imperial period.

This 1905 official correspondence, originating from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, comprises a letter and an attached memorial concerning the exhibition of historical monuments linked to Francisco Alexer Moraped, former Governor of the Diocese of Macau (China) and Commander of the Order of Saint Benedict. Dated 23 October 1905, the document was issued from the Minister’s Office under reference number — 004 — and addressed to Monsignor Mirando. It transmits a memorial endorsed by Senhor Serário, President of the Council, requesting that the recipient, in coordination with the Holy See, support the inclusion of Moraped’s monuments in the “Historic Portugal” section of an upcoming national exhibition. The monuments in question were established by Papal Brief on 24 February 1805, indicating their ecclesiastical sanction and historical significance within Portugal’s colonial and religious heritage. The letter reflects diplomatic protocols between Portuguese civil authorities and ecclesiastical figures during the late colonial period, highlighting efforts to curate national history for public display. This document serves as a primary source for understanding early 20th-century Portuguese cultural diplomacy, the commemoration of colonial administrative figures, and the intersection of state and Church in shaping historical narratives. Its provenance and references offer researchers insight into archival practices, ecclesiastical titles, and the political use of heritage in the Portuguese Empire.

This 1905 confidential diplomatic dispatch, originating from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Lisbon and addressed to the Secretary of State for Indian and Overseas Affairs, transmits a formal request—endorsed by the Government of Portuguese India—for the elevation of 3 December, the feast day of Saint Francis Xavier, to a Holy Day of Obligation across Portuguese India (Goa, Daman, and Diu). The document comprises official correspondence from the Most Reverend Archbishop-Primate of the East and an extract from the Municipal Council of Bardez’s session of 23 December 1904, both advocating the religious and cultural significance of the saint, revered as the Apostle of the Indies. The council underscores his foundational role in the region’s spiritual and historical identity, arguing that the feast, already marked by state-funded celebrations in Goa, should be universally observed to strengthen Catholic unity and affirm Portugal’s colonial and religious legacy. Despite anticipated economic objections related to work suspension, moral and symbolic imperatives are prioritised. The request reflects broader efforts to reinforce the *Padroado Real* and Catholic continuity amid perceived imperial decline. Endorsed by the Governor-General and the Patriarch of the West Indies, the petition exemplifies church-state collaboration in late colonial governance. This primary source offers critical insight into religious policy, colonial identity, and ecclesiastical authority in early 20th-century Portuguese India.

This 1903 diplomatic and ecclesiastical correspondence, originating from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Portugal and addressed to the Secretary of State, concerns the contested implementation of a Holy See decree dated 3 February 1903 regarding the reorganisation of ecclesiastical jurisdictions in southern China. The document details negotiations between the Portuguese and French governments, with papal assent, to transfer jurisdiction of Hainan Island from the Diocese of Macau to the Apostolic Prefecture of Canton, in exchange for granting the Bishop of Macau authority over the Shao-King district. A dispute arises due to a perceived geographical error in the decree, which asserts territorial contiguity between Shao-King and Heung-Shan, despite intervening sub-districts—San-Ning, San-Ui, and Shum-Tak—belonging to Kwang-Chow. The Bishop of Macau, João Paulino de Azevedo e Castro, argues that the Holy See’s intention included these sub-districts and the island of Shan-Chau (St John’s Island), a site of religious significance. He attributes resistance from the Apostolic Prefecture of Canton to strategic opposition by French missionaries rather than genuine clerical concern. The text underscores Portugal’s determination to assert its ecclesiastical rights under the Concordats of 1857 and 1886, secure missionary access, and prevent further delays detrimental to spiritual and colonial interests. The document is accompanied by a map and urgent recommendations for clarification from the Holy See to ensure unambiguous jurisdictional transfer.

This 1902 diplomatic correspondence, originating from the Portuguese Government of Macau and transmitted through the Embassy of Portugal to the Holy See, documents a sensitive territorial and political dispute involving French missionary land acquisitions near Macau. The primary subject is a series of purchases by the French Catholic mission of three parcels of land—Sai-kua-pu, Sai-mai-kong, and Bac-mai-Kong—at the foot of Mount Catae, approximately five kilometres from Macau, officially registered under the authority of the Xiangshan mandarin. The reports, authored by Acting Governor Alfredo Lello and addressed to the Secretary of State for Naval and Overseas Affairs in Lisbon, argue that these acquisitions, conducted under the provisions of the 1860 Franco-Chinese Treaty, served strategic political rather than religious or medical purposes, despite the stated pretext of establishing a sanatorium. The documents detail an incident in which Chinese agents attempted to serve a summons on Ip-lin-san, a naturalised Portuguese subject and Macau resident, over allegations of unlawful burial on contested land, prompting protests regarding violations of Portuguese territorial jurisdiction. Internal investigations concluded that the burial claims were unfounded and likely a pretext to clear access to French-held plots. The correspondence further highlights British concern in Hong Kong over perceived French expansionist ambitions in southern China, particularly given the strategic vantage of the acquired lands overlooking key maritime routes. The material provides critical insight into colonial rivalries, ecclesiastical politics under the Padroado system, and the use of missionary activity as an instrument of imperial influence in late Qing China.

This 1902 official royal dispatch, addressed to His Excellency António, concerns the ecclesiastical appointment of Dom João Manuel de Carvalho as Bishop of the Sacred Cathedral Church of Díli, in Portuguese Timor. The document instructs the recipient to transmit a sealed Royal Letter to the Most Reverend Lord Deputy for presentation to the Holy Father, accompanied by a copy of the Royal Letter and the canonical suitability process, all prepared in accordance with established ecclesiastical protocol. The transmission is to be expedited through appropriate channels for submission to the Holy See, with the objective of securing the issuance of Apostolic Letters authorising the appointment. The text specifies that all related expenses are to be covered by the state Treasury. It further directs that no additional Apostolic Letters involving special stipulations be requested and emphasises the necessity of safeguarding established rights and institutional preservation. Marginal annotations indicate archival handling: the document was recorded by Rampaella on 18 April 1902, with an official reply noted on 24 May 1902 and a reference to a July document numbered 325. A signature in the top right corner reads "D. mo Exm°." The document bears a numerical stamp "3880:/" in the lower left. Despite the presence of marginalia and signatures, no formal archival reference number is visible. This primary source offers critical insight into late colonial ecclesiastical administration, state-church relations within the Portuguese Empire, and the procedural mechanisms governing episcopal appointments in overseas territories at the turn of the twentieth century.

This 1902 diplomatic correspondence, originating from the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and addressed to an ecclesiastical authority, documents the formal transmission of a Royal Charter appointing Reverend João Paulino de Azevedo e Castro as Bishop of Macau. The document, dated 10 June 1902 and issued by Counsellor Miguel Martins d’Antas in Lisbon, includes a copy of the canonical process (*processus inaugurationis*) compiled at the Apostolic Nunciature in Lisbon, which accompanied the nomination to the Holy See. A parallel communication from the Vatican Secretariat, dated 21 June 1902 and referencing an earlier note from January of that year, confirms receipt of the nomination materials sent by His Excellency, including a letter from Pedelizzi sirna concerning Monsignor Giovanni Paolino de Sjavedo’s appointment to the Petrine See of Macao. The Vatican response, signed by the Cardinal Secretary of State, acknowledges the delivery of the pontifical autograph to the Pope and the forwarding of documents to Miguel Martins d’Artes, expressing formal gratitude and reaffirming esteem for the recipient. The file, registered on 6 February 1902 after arrival in Caracas on 19 February, forms part of administrative records held in Lisbon under Division R.7, File 35 3/. This dual bureaucratic and ecclesiastical documentation reflects the procedural interplay between state and Church in Portuguese colonial ecclesiastical appointments during the early 20th century, offering insight into diplomatic protocols and the governance of Catholic sees in overseas territories.

This 1902 diplomatic correspondence, originating from the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and addressed to an ecclesiastical authority, documents the formal transmission of a Royal Charter appointing Reverend João Paulino de Azevedo e Castro as Bishop of Macau. The document, dated 10 June 1902 and issued by Counsellor Miguel Martins d’Antas in Lisbon, includes a copy of the canonical process (*processus inaugurationis*) compiled at the Apostolic Nunciature in Lisbon, which accompanied the nomination to the Holy See. A parallel communication from the Vatican Secretariat, dated 21 June 1902 and referencing an earlier note from January of that year, confirms receipt of the nomination materials sent by His Excellency, including a letter from Pedelizzi sirna concerning Monsignor Giovanni Paolino de Sjavedo’s appointment to the Petrine See of Macao. The Vatican response, signed by the Cardinal Secretary of State, acknowledges the delivery of the pontifical autograph to the Pope and the forwarding of documents to Miguel Martins d’Artes, expressing formal gratitude and reaffirming esteem for the recipient. The file, registered on 6 February 1902 after arrival in Caracas on 19 February, forms part of administrative records held in Lisbon under Division R.7, File 35 3/. This dual bureaucratic and ecclesiastical documentation reflects the procedural interplay between state and Church in Portuguese colonial ecclesiastical appointments during the early 20th century, offering insight into diplomatic protocols and the governance of Catholic sees in overseas territories.

This 1902 diplomatic correspondence, originating from the Secretariat of State of the Holy See, constitutes an official acknowledgment of a royal ecclesiastical nomination submitted by the Portuguese Crown. The document, dated 1902 and addressed to His Excellency, the Ambassador of Portugal to the Holy See, is authored by M. Card. Kammann, acting in his capacity as Cardinal Secretary of State. It confirms receipt of a letter from His Most Faithful Majesty, King of Portugal, recommending Mr. Bishop of Macao for appointment to the Episcopal See of Angra. The text further verifies that the recommendation, accompanied by the requisite canonical process, has been formally presented to the Pope for consideration. As a formal diplomatic note, the document reflects the procedural interaction between the Portuguese monarchy and the Holy See regarding ecclesiastical appointments within the Portuguese colonial sphere, particularly concerning Macao and the Azores (Angra). The absence of marginal annotations, stamps, or seals suggests a preliminary or internal administrative record. Held under archival reference F. 69635, this item provides primary evidence of late 19th- to early 20th-century concordat practices and the role of diplomatic channels in Catholic Church governance. It is a valuable source for researchers examining ecclesiastical diplomacy, colonial religious administration, and Vatican-Portuguese relations during the final decades of the Portuguese Empire.

This is a confidential diplomatic despatch dated 17 June 1920, sent from Rome by J. P. Martins to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, concerning ecclesiastical affairs in Macau. The document, classified as No. 26 and marked “Confidential”, serves as a supplementary communication to earlier correspondence (Despatch No. 42 of 10 June 1920) regarding the appointment of the Bishop of Macau. It reports allegations about Father Gomes, a figure involved in ecclesiastical activities in Macau, asserting that he lacks extensive literary knowledge and that questions have been raised about the financial management of a subscription he organised several years prior for the benefit of the local seminary. Despite reported construction works at the institution, doubts persist among certain individuals regarding the proper allocation of the collected funds, though the author neither verifies nor endorses these claims. J. P. Martins explicitly states his inability to assess the validity of the information and transmits it solely for official consideration and potential investigation. The despatch reflects concerns over clerical competence and financial accountability within a colonial ecclesiastical context during the early 20th century. As an official record from the Portuguese diplomatic corps, this document offers valuable insight into church-state relations, administrative oversight, and the governance of religious institutions under Portuguese influence in Macau.

This is a confidential diplomatic despatch dated 17 June 1920, sent from Rome by J. P. Martins to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, concerning ecclesiastical affairs in Macau. The document, classified as No. 26 and marked “Confidential”, serves as a supplementary communication to earlier correspondence (Despatch No. 42 of 10 June 1920) regarding the appointment of the Bishop of Macau. It reports allegations about Father Gomes, a figure involved in ecclesiastical activities in Macau, asserting that he lacks extensive literary knowledge and that questions have been raised about the financial management of a subscription he organised several years prior for the benefit of the local seminary. Despite reported construction works at the institution, doubts persist among certain individuals regarding the proper allocation of the collected funds, though the author neither verifies nor endorses these claims. J. P. Martins explicitly states his inability to assess the validity of the information and transmits it solely for official consideration and potential investigation. The despatch reflects concerns over clerical competence and financial accountability within a colonial ecclesiastical context during the early 20th century. As an official record from the Portuguese diplomatic corps, this document offers valuable insight into church-state relations, administrative oversight, and the governance of religious institutions under Portuguese influence in Macau.