The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1884-03-30
RELIGIOUS AGITATION IN BRAsIL.
TIE Real Estate 81 Mssastsc Orders - De
OsavsrtsA late osvsrnasat DssAs.

TIE Real Estate sf AGssastse Orders - be
CsavsrtsA late 0svsrnosat Dssass
Tho agitation In the Roman Catholic
world over the forced conversion Of the real
estate OF tho Propaganda into Government
bonds has been stirred anew BY proposition
from tho Brazilian Minister Of Empire. Coun-
cillor Francis Antunes Maciel. TO turn the
landed and other property OF monastic orders
in Brazil into bonds Of the empire. The en-
pire 10 stirred TO every corner By the contro-
versy. The Brazilian Cabinet favors the
project. and It's continuance In power is en-
dangered. Tho clerical party. headed BY the
Princess Isabel. heiress to the throne. bitterly
opposes It Immense interests are at stake.
A few religious orders hold vast territorial and
rich mining districts. exclusive Of other valu-
able real estate and Of personal property.
Owing TO . law prohibiting the increase Of
novitiates some OF the converts have worry few
members. Tho Ajuda Convent 10 case In
point 1t has grounds In the centre Of the city
OF Rio Janeiro worth millions OF dollars.
Three aged nuns hold buildings that would
accommodate the guests Of half dozen NAM
moth hotels. The nuns are entirely under the
control Of Bishop Sacerda.
The agitation was really begun a. long ago as
1884. Ecclesiastical affairs In Brazil were then
under the control OF the Department Of Justice.
In his annual report for that year. Nabuco de
Aranjo. Minister OF Justice said that there was
q deplorable lack Of discipline and administra-
tive vlgor In the converts. Some were under
the care OF only one monk. and had no religious
service There was no public inspection OF their
great wealth. Others were torn By intestine
intrgues. to the prejudice Of the holy institu-
ton. Shameless simony was prevalent Ener-
getic measures were required to restore them
to their primitive sanctity. The Government
had appealed to. the Archbishop and Bishops OF
the empire. and II intended to appeal to the
Pope - Its suggestions were unheeled by them.
Senior Nabuc0 again called attention to the
was I'm changsd. lie asked for tho Suppression S
L. All "a
end In view:
SUPPRESSION Of the eonysnts in the interior which
there s srs 81 sssAon OF the others in which
sss Ssa q .as III S:a Z X:
He insisted that the administration OF the
tie monks from their holy s' mission a and made
them worldly minted
HIS effort was futile No radical law was
efcclesiastical affairs. In 1864 the illustrious
Baron das Tros Barras renewed tho agitation.
the Government to suspend the admission OF
novitlates; He asked for legislative measure
that would force the conversion OF all real es-
tate and movable property into bonds OF the
funded debt. guaranteeing their inalienability.
He insisted that such action would contribute
greatly to the improvement OF the religious or
ders. and secure TO them a revenue more than
sufi1c!ent for their support. Their property
would thus be made productive and contribute
to the public veal
In tho next year the Marquis de Olinda. Min.
lister OF Empire favored the scheme. and urged
the General Assembly to pass the necessary
laws His course was followed by his sue
cessor. The measure then remained almost
dormant until the present agitation, which
may have been spurred by the selling OF tho es
tates OF the Propaganda In Rome.