{ "book_metadata": { "book_name": "History of Christianity in India: Source Materials", "book_author": "M. K. Kuriakose", "publisher": "Indian Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge", "published_on": "2011" }, "chunks": [ { "chunk_index": 1, "chapter_name": "1862. Memorial to the Pope by Catholics of Madras", "page_numbers": [ 191 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00215-14258f7c9d75d1450ff5.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Memorial to Pope Pius IX", "chunk_data": "114. MEMORIAL TO THE POPE BY CATHOLICS OF MADRAS (1862 A.D.)\nThis memorial, dated 22nd March 1862, was submitted to Pope Pius IX by Catholics of Madras under the jurisdiction of the Padroado Bishop of St. Thome, Mylapore. It was an appeal on behalf of the rights of the Padroado and a rejection of the claims of the Propaganda. Cited in Jno. Godinho, The Padroado of Portugal in the Orient (1454-1860), pp. 180-193.", "time": { "start_year": 1862, "start_month": 3, "start_date": 22, "end_year": 1862, "end_month": 3, "end_date": 22, "time_display": "22 March 1862" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Pope Pius IX", "Catholics of Madras" ], "places": [ "Madras", "St. Thome", "Mylapore" ], "event": "Catholics of Madras submitted a memorial to Pope Pius IX defending the rights of the Padroado and rejecting the claims of the Propaganda.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Politics", "Catholic Church" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 2, "chapter_name": "1862. Memorial to the Pope by Catholics of Madras", "page_numbers": [ 191 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00215-14258f7c9d75d1450ff5.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Appeal to the Pope", "chunk_data": "Beatissimo Padre, We, the Catholics of the Diocese of St. Thome of Madras, with the most profound humility, confidence and love crave permission to approach the Sacred presence of Your Holiness the centre of Catholic unity, with this representation, and to express to Your Holiness, our sentiments of filial affection, our sincere acknowledgements and cordial thanks on account of the great and salutary benefits, with which Your Holiness condescended to favour us with the articles of the Concordata recently entered into between Your Holiness and His Most Faithful Majesty El-Rei of Portugal, as the Patron of the Churches of India, which now happily belong to the temporal dominion of our exalted Sovereign the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, under whose benign and liberal Government we have the happiness to live", "time": { "start_year": 1862, "start_month": 3, "start_date": 22, "end_year": 1862, "end_month": 3, "end_date": 22, "time_display": "22 March 1862" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Catholics of Madras", "Pope Pius IX", "El-Rei of Portugal", "Queen Victoria" ], "places": [ "St. Thome", "Madras", "India", "Great Britain", "Ireland" ], "event": "The Catholics of the Diocese of St. Thome addressed Pope Pius IX, expressing gratitude for the Concordata and affirming their position under British rule.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Politics", "Catholic Church" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 3, "chapter_name": "1862. Memorial to the Pope by Catholics of Madras", "page_numbers": [ 192 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00216-fd7b69696c1e7d81830a.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Vicars Apostolic Seek Control", "chunk_data": "The Vicars Apostolic, however, did not relax their efforts to secure exclusive dominion and power over the churches of the Padroado and their flock, and to seize their funds and properties, but the opposition they encountered everywhere eventually compelled them to appeal to the Sacred Congregation De Propaganda Fide.", "time": { "start_year": 1838, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1862, "end_month": 3, "end_date": 22, "time_display": "Before and up to 1862" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Vicars Apostolic" ], "places": [ "India" ], "event": "The Vicars Apostolic sought exclusive control over Padroado churches, congregations, funds, and properties, provoking opposition and an appeal to the Propaganda Fide.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Church Conflict", "Politics" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 4, "chapter_name": "1862. Memorial to the Pope by Catholics of Madras", "page_numbers": [ 192 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00216-fd7b69696c1e7d81830a.webp" ], "chunk_title": "The Breve Multa Praeclare", "chunk_data": "They obtained and published here the Breve Multa Praeclare dated 24th April 1838, in the name of Pope Gregory XVI; declaring that the right of the Padroado of the Crown of Portugal was abolished over the churches in India, without the previous consent of the Royal Patron, as is required and laid down by various Pontiffs in several ancient Bulls; that the various Episcopal Sees were suppressed, without consulting the Royal Patron or their Prelates, in violation of solemn assurances from so many Popes and against the ecclesiastical discipline and laws of the Church; and finally investing Doctors O'Connor and St. Leger with supreme authority and dominion over all the Churches and parishes of the Bishopric of St. Thome, a possession they, for so long, so ardently desired.", "time": { "start_year": 1838, "start_month": 4, "start_date": 24, "end_year": 1838, "end_month": 4, "end_date": 24, "time_display": "24 April 1838" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Pope Gregory XVI", "O'Connor", "St. Leger" ], "places": [ "India", "St. Thome" ], "event": "The Breve Multa Praeclare declared the Portuguese Padroado right abolished in India and granted supreme authority over St. Thome churches to O'Connor and St. Leger.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Church Conflict", "Politics" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 5, "chapter_name": "1862. Memorial to the Pope by Catholics of Madras", "page_numbers": [ 192 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00216-fd7b69696c1e7d81830a.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Political Basis of the Breve", "chunk_data": "In that Breve, two are the chief reasons alleged for this change. The first is the political change affecting these regions. Great Britain, being the present dominant power, will not permit the exercise of the right of the Padroado. It is necessary to show how groundless this objection is after so many years of British dominion. We have already shown above that the Government by its declaration of February 1835, has clearly repudiated any unpleasant impression originating from their first Statement.", "time": { "start_year": 1835, "start_month": 2, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1835, "end_month": 2, "end_date": null, "time_display": "February 1835" }, "meta": { "people": [ "British Government" ], "places": [ "India", "Great Britain" ], "event": "The memorialists rejected the Breve's political justification by citing the British Government's February 1835 declaration concerning the Padroado.", "tags": [ "Politics", "Religion", "Colonial Rule" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 6, "chapter_name": "1862. Memorial to the Pope by Catholics of Madras", "page_numbers": [ 192 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00216-fd7b69696c1e7d81830a.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Claims of Religious Decline Rejected", "chunk_data": "The second reason alleged in the Breve is that ecclesiastical discipline, the morality of the laity and the Catholic Faith had generally deteriorated in these parts for want of pastors. Of what little importance this insinuation made by interested parties is, will be evident, from the following facts. The effective progress and prosperity of Catholic Faith, in several places, has been acknowledged by high authorities, such as Sir A. Johnson, a Protestant Judge of Ceylon, and by other respectable and disinterested persons, such as Rev. Brabant and even by Dr. O'Connor and Dr. Carew, soon after their arrival in India.", "time": { "start_year": 1838, "start_month": 4, "start_date": 24, "end_year": 1862, "end_month": 3, "end_date": 22, "time_display": "1838-1862" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Sir A. Johnson", "Rev. Brabant", "Dr. O'Connor", "Dr. Carew" ], "places": [ "Ceylon", "India" ], "event": "The memorialists disputed claims of Catholic decline, citing the acknowledged progress of the Catholic faith by Protestant and Catholic authorities.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Church Conflict", "Catholic Church" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 7, "chapter_name": "1862. Memorial to the Pope by Catholics of Madras", "page_numbers": [ 192 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00216-fd7b69696c1e7d81830a.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Accusations Against Missionaries", "chunk_data": "On the contrary the evil deeds of the missionaries of the propaganda first the Capuchin Friars; after them the Vicars Apostolic and their clergy, who undermined the foundations of religion and morality and not the want of pastors.", "time": { "start_year": 1838, "start_month": 4, "start_date": 24, "end_year": 1862, "end_month": 3, "end_date": 22, "time_display": "1838-1862" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Capuchin Friars", "Vicars Apostolic" ], "places": [ "India" ], "event": "The memorialists blamed the missionaries of the Propaganda, rather than a shortage of pastors, for undermining religion and morality.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Church Conflict", "Catholic Church" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 8, "chapter_name": "1862. Memorial to the Pope by Catholics of Madras", "page_numbers": [ 192, 193 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00216-fd7b69696c1e7d81830a.webp", "raw\\pages\\00217-cf0243e21a6ee3c4a3ee.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Attacks on Padroado Clergy", "chunk_data": "The Vicars Apostolic and their missionaries denounced the sacred offices exercised by the Prelates and their clergy. They ridiculed them. They spoke in contempt of their churches, of their altars and of their sacred objects of respect and veneration. They anathematised the clergy, criticising their national qualities. They cast aspersions on private character. They criticised their talents and abilities. All these affronts and insults had only one object in view, namely of intimidating the timid and of attracting to themselves the ignorant and the fickle.", "time": { "start_year": 1838, "start_month": 4, "start_date": 24, "end_year": 1862, "end_month": 3, "end_date": 22, "time_display": "1838-1862" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Vicars Apostolic", "Padroado Prelates", "Padroado clergy" ], "places": [ "India" ], "event": "The Vicars Apostolic and their missionaries denounced and insulted Padroado clergy and churches to intimidate some Catholics and attract others.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Church Conflict", "Catholic Church" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 9, "chapter_name": "1862. Memorial to the Pope by Catholics of Madras", "page_numbers": [ 193 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00217-cf0243e21a6ee3c4a3ee.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Seizure of Padroado Churches", "chunk_data": "With praises for their boldness in forsaking their old pastors they incited them to violent acts to support their impious cause. With the help and co-operation of these seceders, perverting others by gifts of money, the Vicars Apostolic and their missionaries, forcibly entered the churches in the dead of night, thus took possession of them.", "time": { "start_year": 1838, "start_month": 4, "start_date": 24, "end_year": 1862, "end_month": 3, "end_date": 22, "time_display": "1838-1862" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Vicars Apostolic", "Padroado seceders" ], "places": [ "India" ], "event": "The Vicars Apostolic and their missionaries encouraged seceders, used financial inducements, and forcibly occupied Padroado churches at night.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Church Conflict", "Violence" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 10, "chapter_name": "1862. Memorial to the Pope by Catholics of Madras", "page_numbers": [ 193 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00217-cf0243e21a6ee3c4a3ee.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Concordata Defends Padroado Rights", "chunk_data": "The Vicars Apostolic most stubbornly objected to the Concordata, for it clearly declared all their representations to be false, and also declared their expulsion from the places usurped by them. The Concordata totally ignores the Breve Multa Praeclare. It does not even allude to it in the various articles. On the contrary, the Concordata, in its first and second articles, acknowledges the right of the Patron over the churches in India, and also over the Bishoprics suppressed or usurped.", "time": { "start_year": 1862, "start_month": 3, "start_date": 22, "end_year": 1862, "end_month": 3, "end_date": 22, "time_display": "22 March 1862" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Vicars Apostolic", "Royal Patron" ], "places": [ "India" ], "event": "The memorialists argued that the Concordata rejected the Vicars Apostolic's claims, ignored the Breve Multa Praeclare, and affirmed the Patron's rights over Indian churches and bishoprics.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Politics", "Catholic Church" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 11, "chapter_name": "1862. Memorial to the Pope by Catholics of Madras", "page_numbers": [ 193 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00217-cf0243e21a6ee3c4a3ee.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Rejection of Schism Charges", "chunk_data": "It does not contain a single clause from which it can be inferred that the Royal Patron, or the Metropolitan of Goa or the Prelates or clergy who acted according to the instructions, are schismatics and separated from the unity of the Catholic Church, or do not possess any authority or jurisdiction, as the Vicars Apostolic have always asserted, without the sanction of any other authority than their own. In the absence of any direct resolution, in which the Chief of the Church, on any occasion, or at any time, declared them to be schismatics, and separated from the unity of the Church. If they were really so, it should, at least, appear in a document which has for its special aim the end of all dispute and misunderstanding.", "time": { "start_year": 1862, "start_month": 3, "start_date": 22, "end_year": 1862, "end_month": 3, "end_date": 22, "time_display": "22 March 1862" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Royal Patron", "Metropolitan of Goa", "Padroado Prelates", "Padroado clergy", "Vicars Apostolic" ], "places": [ "Goa", "India" ], "event": "The memorialists rejected the allegation that the Portuguese Patron, Goa's Metropolitan, and Padroado clergy were schismatics without a direct papal declaration.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Church Conflict", "Catholic Church" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 12, "chapter_name": "1862. Memorial to the Pope by Catholics of Madras", "page_numbers": [ 193 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00217-cf0243e21a6ee3c4a3ee.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Religious Dissensions in India", "chunk_data": "It is so long since the Concordata was ratified, that the Vicars Apostolic have reduced the Church in India to a theatre of religious dissensions to the great prejudice of our Holy Religion, and to the peace and tranquility of the Faithful, so much so that many doubt of the paternal solicitude of Your Holiness for the Church in India.", "time": { "start_year": 1862, "start_month": 3, "start_date": 22, "end_year": 1862, "end_month": 3, "end_date": 22, "time_display": "22 March 1862" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Pope Pius IX", "Vicars Apostolic" ], "places": [ "India" ], "event": "The memorialists accused the Vicars Apostolic of creating religious dissension in India and damaging the peace of the Catholic faithful.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Church Conflict", "Catholic Church" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 13, "chapter_name": "1862. Memorial to the Pope by Catholics of Madras", "page_numbers": [ 193 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00217-cf0243e21a6ee3c4a3ee.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Appeal for Concordata Enforcement", "chunk_data": "If all what we have suffered for such a long time, were not sufficient reasons we pray that the interests of religion, the propagation of the Catholic Faith and the conversion of the pagans and infidels, which have been set back for so long, will move you to put an end to this state of affairs. We most humbly beseech Your Holiness that without further delay in diplomatic negotiation, to put in practical execution of the Concordata, so that India may enjoy the benefits of its excellent and healthy provisions.", "time": { "start_year": 1862, "start_month": 3, "start_date": 22, "end_year": 1862, "end_month": 3, "end_date": 22, "time_display": "22 March 1862" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Pope Pius IX" ], "places": [ "India" ], "event": "The memorialists appealed to Pope Pius IX to end the dispute and put the Concordata into practical effect for the advancement of Catholic religion and missionary conversion.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Catholic Church", "Missionary Activity" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 14, "chapter_name": "1862. Memorial to the Pope by Catholics of Madras", "page_numbers": [ 193 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00217-cf0243e21a6ee3c4a3ee.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Petition to the British Government", "chunk_data": "With the same expectation we, as subjects of Queen Victoria, have forwarded a petition to the Secretary of State for India, that the British Government may give their full support to the execution of the Concordata, as the best means to promote and to ensure the prosperity of the Catholic population of this country. A copy of that petition, as well as another which before this we had sent to the H.C.I.-13", "time": { "start_year": 1862, "start_month": 3, "start_date": 22, "end_year": 1862, "end_month": 3, "end_date": 22, "time_display": "22 March 1862" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Queen Victoria", "Secretary of State for India" ], "places": [ "India" ], "event": "Catholics of Madras petitioned the Secretary of State for India and sought British support for implementing the Concordata.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Politics", "Colonial Rule" ] } } ] }