Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-03-25
From fhs " Y Sua
Mexico and her Established Church.

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Mexico and her Established Church.
Il viii be remembered that we stated last month
that the church had threated 10 exconmuncale all
who would favor the coufscatlon Of It's properly.
We nov annex the official protest, which quotes the
DEGREES Of the Council Of Trent TO prove the hcresy
Of the seizure. Granting that the con6scation is a
violation Of the Constitution and for which the
church can excommunicate the government, the ques-
ton arises, What will be the consequences Will
the church excommGnicate the state viii IL establish
a new government will 1t force the nation TO negO-
tate for peace will the government seize all the
church property. leave religious affairs TO the manage
ment OF the people. and tolerate all religions We do
not pretend to be able these questions Time
alone develop results. But let us look at facts
The church and tie arlstocracy sided with Paredes
aud favored monarchy These were overthrow by
the Pueblas, or the native people of Aztec pareniage
who compose the bulk of the population. The
PaebaS, or democrats who now govern tie country
are exasperaed against the church for her efforts TO
place King over them and consequently the sale of
the church lands is not very unpopular. 1t is sup
ported by the soldiers because is the readest means
by which they can obtain funds When the
commenced, tie government appealed TO the church
for money, alleging that the Americans were coming
TO rob and plumber the churches and the sooner the
property was disposed Of the better. But the church
would not give dollar. They saw that the Ameri-
protected its property better than the Mexicans
IL saw that Gen. Taylor and the whole American
army pdlu lhe most pfOIOunQ respect 10 It's gus ana
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 accommodation and eternal
despair, which strikes terror tie heart Of the faith
ful of all religious denominations. Even among
political parties in our own free country, what is
more dreadful and destructive a public than
accommodation from his party As examples, we
refer to the persecution of John Tyler and his
municatiOn by the Wings the political anathemas
hurled at John c. Calhoun, and the denuncia:ons
which Henry Clay encountered in his excommunica-
ton from the Democratic party. These are indica-
tons of what every public in Mexico must now
encounter, But the die is 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 susl
pended, except to the sick and dying. Children
not baptized, marriages are not blessed, and masses
longer celebrated for the repose of the dead.
This is truly alarming condition of things the
piOus people of Mexico. Terror and dismay have
seized the public mind the sacred orders have robed
their edi6ces in the habiiments of and evil fore
bodings are waited every breeze. To this alarm
ing state of affairs, find parallel only in that
appalling season of calamity which preceded the con-
quest of Mexico by Cories. Now, however, her
nationally be preserved Let her but accept tbs
olive branch which America has offered to her. and
she NAV yet be free, prosperous and happy. Time
and again have we offered her peace. When we re-
monstrated with her for her denial to Texas of those
rights which she claimed for herself her cheftains
waged war, bringing upon their country the evils
which now threaten to overwhelm her. Let Mexico
profit by this 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 venerable ArchLishPs Chapter against
The taking possession Of the church property.
This chapter having been informed from an un-
doubted source, that the sovereign Congress have this
morning approved of act for the taking possession
of the church property, without losing a moment for
the preservation of those sacred rights charged upon
them by the solemn canOns OF the church, have de-
termined to direct to your eXceency this communica-
ton, with the object of making known that they
cannot in any manner coincide with the measures
entertained in the aboge-named act not daring to
incur the ecclesiastical censures and penalties emitted
the end of the llth chapter of the 22d session of
the Sacred Council of Trent, and reiterated in the
third Mexican and in consequence they hereby enter
the most solemn protest against the act about to
be sanctioned, only expecting from the pieiy OF the
supreme government, that the aorenamed disposition
of the Sacred Council of Trent, which comprehends
ALL whatever may be the dignity invested in them,
and which nficts the highest punishment upon those
who disregard it, may be fully respected; Obeying
likewise the fundamental law reigDng through
the Republic which guarantees the property Of our
ecclesiastical corporations
May it please your excelency TO make known 10
the excellent Senior Vice President, that these
are the sentiments entertained by this Archbishop's
chapter.
We present to your excellency tie assurances of
our distinguished consideration and esteem. God
guard you many years
Hall of the Sacred Church of the Archbishop's :
chapter of Mexico, January 10Th, 1871 Il o'clock, nj.
FELIX OSORES,
FELIX GARCIA SERALDE,
JOSE NJ. GUZMAN,
JOSE NJ. VASQUEZ.
Minister Of LIstice and Ecrsia siical Affairs