Governador da diocese de Macau reclama contra a Propaganda por lhe terem tirado a ilha de Hong-Kong

Resource type
Title
Governador da diocese de Macau reclama contra a Propaganda por lhe terem tirado a ilha de Hong-Kong
Abstract
This 1842 official correspondence, originating from Macao and addressed to Adrião e Accácio da Silveira Pinto, Governor and Captain-General of Macao, constitutes a formal ecclesiastical and administrative document concerning jurisdictional disputes within the Catholic Church in Portuguese colonial territories. The text, dated 18 February 1842 and verified by Cândido Gonçalves Franco with certification from the Office of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on 24 December 1842, details concerns raised by the Bishop of Macao regarding the unilateral establishment of a Provisor’s office on the Island of São Tomé by ecclesiastical authorities under a decree of 22 April 1841. The author asserts that this action was carried out without prior notification and in disregard of the established territorial jurisdiction of the Macao Bishopric, which includes São Tomé. The document highlights the failure to inform the Holy See of these geographical ecclesiastical boundaries, resulting in a decree issued in error. It further records an encounter in which the Provisor acknowledged the Bishop’s ordinary authority pending further instructions from the Holy See and verbally agreed to submit written confirmation of obedience. The matter is presented as both a canonical and administrative issue, with implications for ecclesiastical order and state oversight. This primary source provides critical insight into 19th-century church-state relations, colonial ecclesiastical administration, and jurisdictional conflicts within the Portuguese Empire, particularly in the context of Macao’s religious and political authority over adjacent territories.
Date
1842
Archive
Portugal. Arquivo Diplomático do Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros
Loc. in Archive
Arquivo da Embaixada de Portugal Junto da Santa Sé até 1930. Box 36, bundle 1
Short Title
Governor of Macau diocese claims against the propaganda for removal of Hong Kong
Language
Portuguese
Extra
Doc.47
Notes

Transcription

Page 1

[Transcription failed: commentary detected]


Page 2

[Page 1] [Texto Principal] 1842 Macau, Oriente - 47 Pax vobiscum!


Page 3

[Page 1] [Texto Principal] .sacado em. a sua Sér. .ácerca da Arquidiocese, que o Provedor. .guarda que estabelecer na Ilha de São. .o, em virtude de um Decreto da mesma. .de 22 de Abril de 1841, faltando ao seu dom. .não me comunicando o dito Decreto senão. .depois de o ter executado, estando ele muito. .bem ciente de que a dita Ilha está dentro. .dos limites deste Bispo, e por consequência. .sujeita à jurisdição do seu ordinário, mas. .quando-me esta foi meio de um Decreto. .sem duvida alguma provindo em consequên. .cia de suas informações, e não estar a a. .Sagrada Congregação ao facto de que. .Ilha estava dentro dos limites. .não se lhe declarando. .i' tive a honra.


Page 4

[Page 1] [Texto Principal] [UNCLEAR: .lha e também o que.] .ência até nova ordem da Santa Sé, .sim absolutamente, o que ele não, .et; ao que lhe perguntei se com efeito .para bem dos Católicos de Hong-Kong .estava ele pronto a prestar-me obediên- cia reconhecendo minha legítima autoridade ordinária até segunda ordem da Santa Sé, me disse que sim; então lhe disse que .moendo-se a sua casa me dissesse isso mesmo por escrito, afim de responder ao ofício de V.S. e ver se V.S. estaria por isso, afim de .os chamados espirituais de uma negativa, .perava com bastante fundamento ola) .V.S. em quem existem os mesmos .situar similhantes males.


Page 5

[Page 1] [Texto Principal] ao conhecimento de V.S. para o que lhe parecer em defesa do estado. Deus Guarde a V.S. Mªm. de Fevereiro de 1842 = Ilmo Srº Adrião e Accácio da Silveira Pinto, Governador e Capitão Geral desta Cidade = Cândido Gonçalves Franco = Está conforme = Antônio Pedro de Carvalho. Está Conforme = Secretaria d'Estado dos Negócios Estrangeiros em 24 de Dezembro de 1842.

Translation

Page 1

--- TRANSLATION ---
[Page 1] [Main Text] 1842 Macao, the Orient – 47 Pax vobiscum!


Page 2

--- TRANSLATION ---
[Page 1] [Main Text] taken up with His Lordship regarding the Archdiocese, concerning the Provisor’s establishment of an office on the Island of São Tomé, by virtue of a Decree issued by the same authority on 22 April 1841—thereby failing in his duty towards me, in that he did not communicate the said Decree until after it had already been implemented. He was fully aware that the said island lies within the territorial boundaries of this Bishopric, and consequently subject to the jurisdiction of its Ordinary. However, when this matter was brought before me through a Decree—undoubtedly issued as a consequence of his representations, and in ignorance on the part of the Sacred Congregation that the island fell within these episcopal limits, which fact was not declared to them—I had the honour.


Page 3

--- TRANSLATION ---
[Page 1] [Main Text] [UNCLEAR: .lha and also what.] .ence until further instruction from the Holy See, .not absolutely so, which he did not, .et; when I asked him whether indeed .for the good of the Catholics of Hong Kong .he was prepared to offer me obedience, recognising my legitimate ordinary authority until further direction from the Holy See, he told me that he was; I then instructed him, upon returning to his residence, to confirm this in writing, so that I might respond to Your Lordship’s communication and ascertain whether Your Lordship would agree thereto, in order to .the so-called spiritual consequences of a refusal, .I entertained reasonable expectation thereof) .Your Lordship, in whom reside the same .motives for preventing similar harms.


Page 4

--- ORIGINAL TEXT ---
[Page 1] [Main Text] brought to the knowledge of Your Lordship, for such action as you deem necessary in defence of the state. May God preserve Your Lordship. Macau, 18th February 1842 = The Most Illustrious Sir Adrião e Accácio da Silveira Pinto, Governor and Captain-General of this City = Cândido Gonçalves Franco = Verified as correct = António Pedro de Carvalho. Verified as correct = Office of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 24th December 1842.

Citation
Governador da diocese de Macau reclama contra a Propaganda por lhe terem tirado a ilha de Hong-Kong (Arquivo da Embaixada de Portugal Junto da Santa Sé até 1930. Box 36, bundle 1). (1842). Portugal. Arquivo Diplomático do Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros. http://43.156.68.124/docs/MADXURMD/viewer_MADXURMD.html