CHAPTER XXXI.
CHURCH GOVERNMENT.
1550-1600.
Archbishop Alonso be Montúfar — Jealousy between the Secular and Regular Clergy — Royal Support of the Friars — Differences between the Friars and the Civil Power — Father Geronimo de Mendieta Defends the Religious — His Works — Position of the Friars and their Influence with the Natives — Persons Excluded From the Priesthood — Religious Riot in Mexico — The Sacramental Dispute — First and Second Ecclesiastic Councils of Mexico — Archbishop Montúfar's Death — The Inquisition — Its Establishment, Privileges, Objects, and Acts — Father Landa's Treatment of Idolaters — Archbishop Moya de Contreras — Third Ecclesiastic Council and its Acts — Archbishop Montúfar's Departure — Alonso Fernandez de Bonilla Succeeds Him — Other Dioceses in the Country and their History.
The vacancy in the see of Mexico caused by the death of Zumárraga was, on the 13th of June, 1551, filled by the appointment of Alonso de Montúfar as archbishop.[1] He was a prominent Dominican, twice prior of the convent of Santa Cruz de Granada; likewise a doctor of the university there and a censor of the inquisition.[2] It is said that his acceptance of this see was solely with the view to benefit the native races, and to that end he brought out with him ten Franciscan friars and as many of his own order,
- ↑ This appointment was made by Charles V. at the recommendation of the marqués de Mondéjar, to whom Montúfar had been father-confessor. It was officially made known to the audiencia of Mexico Sept. 4, 1551. The consecration took place in 1553, and the archbishop came out to Mexico the following year. Gonzalez Dávila, Teatro Ecles., i. 31-2.
- ↑ He was a native of Loja, and took the habit of his order in May 1512, at the age of fifteen. Dávila Padilla, Hist. Fund., 610-12; Concilios Prov., MS., 1° y 2° 214; Fernandez, Hist, Ecles., 114-15; Panes, in Mon, Domin, Esp., MS., 82; Alcedo, v. 540.
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