Carta de Bento XIV a respeito dos limites dos Bispados da América e do assunto de Tonquin e Cochinchina

Resource type

Title

Abstract

This is a papal letter, dated 16 January 1746, issued by Pope Benedict XIV from Saint Mary Major during the sixth year of his pontificate, and addressed to John, King of Portugal and the Algarves. The document, transmitted via the Archbishop of Lodi, expresses the Pope’s formal gratitude to the Portuguese monarch for his support in restoring ecclesiastical order within the archdiocese following a prolonged vacancy marked by administrative disorder and entrenched abuses. The Pope commends the King’s decisive interventions, particularly through the Marquis of Castelnuovo, his Secretary, who executed royal directives with precision and dedication. Highlighting the progress achieved under divine grace, the letter underscores the monarch’s pious governance and active role in upholding the Church’s spiritual mission. The Pope affirms that such benefactions warrant enduring recognition both in secular annals and ecclesiastical records, placing the King among the most distinguished Christian rulers of history. Central to the letter is the theme of cooperation between secular authority and religious office in maintaining clerical discipline and effective pastoral care. The document concludes with the Pope’s assurance of continued prayers for the King and his Royal Family, accompanied by the Apostolic Blessing. This letter constitutes a significant record of Church-state relations in mid-eighteenth-century Catholic Europe, reflecting the diplomatic and spiritual priorities of the Holy See.

Date

1746

Language

Italian

Short Title

Letter of Bento XIV regarding the limits of the bishopric of America, Tonking and Cochnichina

URL

http://43.156.68.124/docs/YR8M7QK3/viewer_YR8M7QK3.html

Transcription

Page 1

No 21.

Cópia da carta de Benedito, 14 de 26 de
janeiro de 1746, escrita ao M. Rey D. João
foi dando-lhe os agradecimentos da apreciação
que S. M. havia dado ao Arcebispo de
Lisboa, para a viagem

f. Oriente — m. t — que. 12D

Page 2

Benedictus PP. XIV.

26 Febr. 1746
100

Charisime in Christo Fili nostri Salutem et apostolicam Benedictionem. Ci ha Monsig. Arcivescovo di Lodi data parte del suo felice arrivo alla sua Cattedrale, de' gravi disordini ritrovati in essa per il lungo tempo della vacanza, de' Cemeoj, che vi han applicati e de' sono giusciti per misericordia di Dio di molto profitto, avvegnache avvalorati dalla protezione di Sua Maestà, e dagli ordini da Lei dati al Marchese di Castelnuovo suo Sicere, de' quali ha puntualmente e con molto zelo eseguiti. Ci protestiamo, che mancasseffimo al nostro dovere se non censessimo a Sua Maestà le dovute grazie. Lo facciamo dunque colla presente ed imploriamo a pro di quel vasto Arcivescovado la continuazione delle sue Cagie beneficenze. Il Nome di Sua Maestà, ne' negli annali del Secolo non lascierà di fare la sua degna figura, non sarà nemmeno defraudato de' dovuti encomj in quelli della Chiesa, in quali andrà al pari non meno de' suoi degnissimi Antecessori, de' maggiori Imperadori, e di altri Re d'altre Nazioni, de' si son

[UNCLEAR: best interpretation]

Page 3

fatti pregio di dare il loro valevole braccio agli
Ecclesiastici, acciò possino adempire le loro incom-
benze alla loro cura commesse. Noi ben volontieri
facchiamo e sempre faremo eco al rimbombò della
sua pia, e sempre ammirabile condotta; e pati-
ficano quanto altre volte abbiamo scritto di S. M.
del non passà giorno in cui non la raccomandia-
mo al grande Iddio con pienezza di cuor d’abbrac-
ciandola, diamo a S. M. ed a tutta la sua Cea-
le Famiglia, l’Apostolica Benedizione. Data
Come apuo S. Mariam Majore die 16. Ianu-
rii 1746. Pontificatu Nostri anno Sexto.

Charissimo in Christo Filio Nostro.
Joanni Portugallie et Algarbio =
rum Regi Illustri

Translation

Page 1

No. 21.

Copy of a letter from Benedict, dated 26 January 1746, addressed to His Majesty King John, in which he conveys his thanks for the appreciation His Majesty had expressed towards the Archbishop of Lisbon regarding the journey to the East Indies.

f. Orient—m. t.—no. 12D

Page 2

Benedictus XIV, Pope.

26 February 1746
100

Beloved son in Christ, greetings and our Apostolic Blessing. We have received from Monsignor the Archbishop of Lodi an account of his happy arrival at his See, of the serious disorders found therein due to the prolonged vacancy, of the abuses which had taken root, and of the considerable progress made—by God’s mercy—towards their correction, especially through the support afforded by His Majesty and the instructions issued by Him to the Marquis of Castelnuovo, His Secretary, who has carried them out with exactness and great zeal. We declare that we should fail in our duty were we not to convey to His Majesty our due thanks. We therefore do so by this letter, and we implore for the benefit of that extensive archdiocese the continuation of His Majesty’s gracious benefactions. The name of His Majesty will assuredly occupy its rightful place in the annals of the age; nor shall it be deprived of the praise duly owed in the records of the Church, where he will be ranked alongside his most worthy predecessors, the greatest Emperors, and other monarchs of different nations, who have similarly distinguished themselves.

[UNCLEAR: best interpretation]

Page 3

--- TRANSLATION ---
take pride in lending their able support to the
Clergy, so that they may duly fulfil the duties
entrusted to their care. We most willingly respond,
and shall always continue to respond, to the resounding
testimony of Your Majesty’s pious and ever-admirable conduct;
and, reaffirming what we have previously written concerning Your Majesty,
we assure You that there is no day on which we do not commend You
to Almighty God with fullness of heart. Embracing You in our prayers,
We impart to Your Majesty and to Your entire Royal Family
the Apostolic Blessing. Given
at Saint Mary Major, on the 16th day of January 1746,
in the sixth year of Our Pontificate.

To Our Most Beloved Son in Christ,
John, Most Illustrious King of Portugal and the Algarves.

Citation

Carta de Bento XIV a respeito dos limites dos Bispados da América e do assunto de Tonquin e Cochinchina (Arquivo da Embaixada de Portugal Junto da Santa Sé até 1930). (1746). Portugal. Arquivo Diplomático e Biblioteca do Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros. http://43.156.68.124/docs/YR8M7QK3/viewer_YR8M7QK3.html

Primary Sources

Document

1746 - Carta de Bento XIV a respeito dos limites dos Bispados da América e do assunto de Tonquin e Cochinch.pdf

Link to this record

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