[XXX-35] Infidelity spread extensively among the mestizos, and the white people also, so that the requirements of the church became constantly neglected. Obnoxious books were in the hands of all classes. Some of the more candid priests avowed deistical and atheistical notions. Crowe's Gospel, 256-7.
[XXX-36] A large number were charged with libidinous practices; even unnatural crimes were among the number. Excesses in eating and drinking, gambling, rioting, and bad language were quite common with them. Exorbitant fees, and extorting personal services, and grinding the poor were of daily occurrence. And yet the offenders were not punished, nor even suspended.
[XXX-37] At Habana, Cuba, whose diocese he had charge of for many years, never resigning the see of Guatemala, though he repeatedly refused to return thereto. His remains were taken there, however, by the Spanish war schooner Polka, and interred in Santa Teresa church, June 1846, with the utmost pomp of church and state. Montúfar, Reseña Hist., v. 12-13, 19-25.
[XXX-38] The Marquis José de Aycinena, who had expected the appointment, was balked in his ambition, but was made bishop of Trajanapolis in part. infid.; he died Feb. 17, 1865. A few months earlier, Aug. 23, 1864, occurred the death of another prelate, a native of Guat., named José M. Barrutia y Cróquer, bishop of Camaco in part. infid. Nic., Gaceta, Sept. 24, 1864; March 18, 1865. Antonio Larrazábal, who had also been made a bishop in part. infid., had died Dec. 2, 1853. Costa R., Gaceta, Jan. 7, 1854; Belly, A trav. l'Amér. Cent., i. 136-7.
[XXX-39] Nic., Gaceta, Feb. 16, 1867; Pan. Mercantile Chronicle, Feb. 17, 1867.
[XXX-40] Piñol died at Habana, June 24, 1881; Urruela's demise was on June 8, 1873, at Leon. Nic., Gaceta, June 14, 1873; Voz de Méj., July 28, 1881.
[XXX-41] In 1872 the Capuchin friars of La Antigua, who were natives of Spain, were sent out of the country; all convents of friars were closed, and the property of the several orders was confiscated. In 1873 the consolidation of mortmain property, proceeding from pious endowments, capellanías, and legacies to the church and benevolent establishments, was decreed. In 1874 nunneries were closed, and the confiscation of their estates went on. The government agreed to allow pensions to the nuns and native friars for their support. At the same time all communities of religions of either sex under any form whatever were forbidden forever. The fuero eclesiástico was abolished, and the most unlimited freedom of religion proclaimed. Civil marriage was declared legal, and where the parties desired a religious ceremony the former must precede it. Ecclesiastics were forbidden to appear with frocks or other official insignia in public out of the church. Cemeteries were secularized. Barrios, Mensaje, Sept. 11, 1876; Guat., Recop. Ley. Gob. Democ., i. 159-61, 192-6; ii. 13-14, 23-7, 58, 64-5, 205; El Porvenir de Nic., Apr. 20, 27, 1873; U. S. Gov. Doc., H. Ex. Doc., Cong. 43, Sess. 2, i. 99-101, 106, 147; Pan. Star and Herald, Oct. 23, 1873; Salv., Diario, Dec. 21, 1878; Guat., Mem. Sec. Gobern. y Just., 1880, 2-5; 1882, 11-12.
[XXX-42] In 1883 a protestant chapel was established in the capital, in charge of Rev. Mr Hill. Pan. Star and Herald, March 23, 1883.
[XXX-43] There had been before him, from 1539 to 1810, twenty bishops, the immediate predecessor of Barranco being Manuel Julian Rodriguez, who ruled till 1810. Bernardo Pavon was appointed but died before his consecration. Juarros, Guat., i. 181; Mex., Compend. Concilio III. en Mex., 418-21; Morelli, Fast. Nov. Orb., 107.
[XXX-44] Nic., Corr. Ist., Dec. 1, 1849; Guat., Gac., Nov. 30, 1849.