Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1845-1851, 1847-03-20
From the ~ Y Sun.
Mexico and her E>ta blisIicd Church.

From the ~ Y. Sun.
Mexico and her E>ta blisIlcd Church.
1t will be remembered that stated last month
that the church had threated 10 cXcommuncaie all
who would favor the confscaton of Its property.
We annex the official protest, which quotes the
DEGREES Of the Council of Trent 10 prove the hcresy
of the seizure. Granting that the confscation is a
violation OF the Constitution. and one for which the
church cxcommunicaie the government, the ques-
ton arises, what will bc the consequences Will
the church excommunlcate the state will ii establish
a new government Will force the nation to ncgo-
tate for peace viii the government seize all the
church property leave religious affairs to the manage
men of the people, and tolerate all religions We do
pretend TO be able 10 answer these questions. Time
alone develop results But let look at facis
The church and the arlstocracy sided with Paroles,
and favored monarchy. These overihrown by
the Pue6ds, or the native people OF Aztec parentagc,
who compose the bulk of the population. The
PueJiaS, or democrats, who govern the country,
eXasperated against the church for er efforts 10
place King over ihem and consequently the sale of
the church lands Is not very unpopular. 1t is sup
ported 10y the soldiers because the readiest means
by which they obtain funds. When the war
commenced the government appealed the church
for money, alleging that the Americans were coming
TO rob and plumber the churches and tie the
property disposed Of the better. But the church
would not give dollar. They that the Amerl-
protected lis property better than the Mexicans
4
army paid the profound respect It's rights and
privileges Hence the very natural consequence
apparent throughout Mexico the clergy now declare
their preference for the government of the United
States. Hence, too, the urgent necessity for pacific
negotiation ON the part of government menaced by
that dread sentence of excommunlcaton and eternal
despair, which strikes the heart of the faith
fu OF all religious denominations. Even among
political parties in own free country what is
more dreadful and destructive 10 public man than
communication from his party As examples we
refer to the persecution of John TYLER and his excom
municaton by the Wings, the political anaihemas
hurled at John c. Calhoun, and the dcnuncia:ions
which Henry Clay encountered III his e1communca-
ton from the Democratic party. These are indlca-
tons OF what every public man IN Mexico must now
encounter. But the die l. cast The law has passed
Congress, and the church threatens the exercise of
her spiritual power for the protection of her temporal
wealth. Nearly all the churches have been closed.
Religious exercises and ordinances have been sus-
pended, except 10 the sick and dying. Children are
not baptized marriages not blessed and masses
longer celebrated for The repose of the dead
THIS is truly an alarming condition of things TO the
pious people of Mexico. Terror and dismay lave
seized the public mind. the sacred orders have ROBBED
their edces the habiliment, of woe and evil fore
bodlngs are waited on every breeze. To tins alarm
ing state Of affairs, find parallel only IN that
appalling of calamity which preceded the con-
quest of Mexico by Cores Now, however. her
olive branch which America has offered 10 her, aud
she NAV yet be free, prosperous and happy Time
and again have offered her peace. When we re-
monstraled with her for her denial to Texas of ihse
rights which she claimed for herself. her chlefiaDs
waged war, bringing upon their country the evils
which now threaten 10 Oyerwheim her Let Mexico
profit by tins experience The following is the pro-
test Of the church:
Translated from Mexican papers received at the
Office Of the New York sun.
Protest Of the reacrabe ircttibops Clapier against
The taking possession 4 tie church property.
This chapter having been Informed from an un-
doubted source that the sovereign Congress have this
morning approx ed of for the taking possession
of the church property. without losing a moment for
the preservation of those sacred rights charged upon
them bv the solemn canoms of the church, have de-
termined to direct to your eAcecncy this communca-
ten, with the object of making known that they
cannot IN any manner coincide with the measures
entertained IN the aboyo-named act, not daring 10
incur the ecclesiastical ccnsure> and penalties emitted
the of the llth chapter of the ed session of
the Sacred Council OF Trent, and reiterated In the
third Mexican and in consequence they hereby enter
the solemn protest against the act about TO
be sanctioned only expecting from the pIcty of the
supreme government. that the aiOrenamed disposition
Of tie Sacred Council of Trent. which comprehcnds
ALL whatever may be the dignity invested them.
and which nlicis the highest punishment upon those
who disregard il, may be fully respected obeyng
likewise the fundamental law eigning through
the Republic, which guarantees the property Of our
ecclesiastical corporations
MAY il please your excccncv to make known 10
the most excellent Senior Vice President that these
are the sentiments entertained by this Archbshop's
chapter.
We present to your cxcellency the assurances OF
our distinguished consideration and esteem. God
guard you many years
Hall of the Sacred Church of tie Archbishop's
chapter Of Mexico, January l0n. lSl7, l. o'clock NJ
FEIIX OSORES
FELIX GARCIA SERALDE
JOSE VI. GUZMAN,
JOSE VI. VASQUEZ.