Bishopric (Administration)

Llanos y Valdes (bishop) excommunicated Rubalcava. In the previous expediente it was written that he was excommunicated for allegedly setting fire to a house. However, the title of of this expediente indicates that the excommunication was due to Rubalcava, the contador de Diezmos of the diocesis of Monterrey, going to Pesqueria Grande Valley without the permission of the bishop. Rubalcava wrote to defend himself; others wrote to defend him, also. One of documents contains an extensive listing of the areas under the reign of king Carlos of Spain. (S. Langmack may 1990)

The first several documents are practically illegible but appear to be interrogatories pertaining to a fire which occurred in the home of Garcia (in the Pesqueria Grande Valley) during a weekend fiesta February 3, 1798; another, in the home of Rubalcava the preceeding October, also during a fiesta, is mentioned. Later, Llanos y Valdes submitted a document in which he accused Rubalcava, the contador of Diezmos, of setting fire to the Naipes; the bishop consequently excommunicated Rubalcava. Berria and many others respond on behalf of Rubalcava, requesting that the excommunication be lifted. One witness mentions that Pedro and Geronimo de Herrera are the brothers of the governor, whose name they didn't mention, so it's probably Simon. (S. Langmack may 1990)

Informes claiming that bishop Llanos y Valdes of Monterrey was threatening people there with excommunication for trivial reasons, demanding such threats stop. Many requests that something be done to help the city to return to its Former tranquility. There is also discussion of halted convent. The bishop moved the episcopal seat to Saltillo, in the farthest reaches of the Obispado, where he then purchased houses with money intended for the religious construction in Monterrey. Alva mentioned the disharmony between the bishop and Herrera (gobernador) in relation to the problems. (S. Langmack April 1990)

Beginning on ff.178 of this volume, there is a list of 20 items concerning the management abilities and behavior of the bishop Llanos y Valdes in Monterrey. Within this set of documents is a rough draft of the first 17 items on that list. They particularly concern his practices in relation to the construction of cathedral, Hospital, convent (for monjas Capuchinas), and seminary. This rough draft is followed by a Series of letters, none signed but all written in the same handwriting and on the same date but to different people, which refer to grave points directed against the person and dignity of the bishop. These letters are dated earlier than the rough draft. (S. Langmack, April 1990)

Sanchez gives overview of the items discussed in volume #196 up to this point (half way through). The first, the conduct of Former bishop Llanos y Valdes (now dead) in his position in Monterrey, is covered in this volume quite extensively. The second, which Sanchez refers to as the management of los diezmos of Llanos y Valdez's diocesis, was discussed more in the context of that bishop's work than by itself. Sanchez then recommended that the second no longer be discussed, just conveniently rectified as the bishop had died. (S. Langmack April 1990)

Two informes written by the architect, Crouset, containing dimensions and descriptions of the partially constructed Hospital and cathedral in Monterrey. Construction had been halted by bishop (probably Llanos y Valdez). (S. Langmack April 1990)

This Series of documents contains interrogatories of Crouset and his responses to the halting of the construction been enough money for materials, workers, etc. Ff. 121 & 122 contain biographical information on Vedia y Pinto, Bengochea and Crouset. (S. Langmack, April 1990)

Scandal caused by bishop's decision to halt the construction of cathedral and Hospital in Monterrey. Apparently, the diocesis Yglesia Parroquial esta sirviendo de Catedral. construction materials were sent elsewhere. Herrera (governor) wrote complaining about the halted construction. When bishop wrote Azanza, he came to his own defense, noting that he himself had some experience with construction; he mentioned traveling from Guatemala to Nicaragua and never seeing an yglesia de boveda con Coro de Madera. Canales wrote that many people greatly suffered because of the bishop's practices, although he wasn't specific how. Bishop accused of halting the construction of the cathedral and Hospital on a pretext; he didn't indicate what the pretext was or what it was a pretext for. (S. Langmack March 1990)

Letter to Azanza concerning performance of bishop (apparently Llanos de Valdes) in Monterrey. Bishop wanted to move the seat of the dioces to Saltillo. author (Herrera) considered this a bad idea and stated he didn't understand why to Saltillo considering it was at the farthest edge of the Obispado. Others preferred other places such as the Valley of Santa Rosa. This desire to move the seat caused a lot of conflict. author contends that halting the construction was only a pretext on the part of the bishop, although he never clearly says what it was a pretext for or what the bishop's stated pretext was. author contended that the bishop's real reason for stopping the construction was that he wanted to move the seat of the diocese to Saltillo. author said that the bishop halted the construction and then bought houses and other property with the money intended to finance construction. The absence of a Hospital, in addition to the retiring of a doctor, made life especially difficult for the poor and the ill served by them. Also reference to viruelas in the city. author refers to the obligation of public officials to inspect (visitar) hospitals, which he implies hasn't been done. author lists Obispado, inspecting only the area immediately surrounding Monterrey; he hadn't delivered sacraments, so many were dying without having received them. (S. Langmack, March 1990)

Correspondence regarding money in the treasury of Llanos y Valdes' diocese. Azanza ordered him to repay donations with it. Ultimately, Llanos y Valdes, bishop of Leon, sent it to San Luis Potosi to aid government war efforts as no one knew by whom those pesos were donated. (S. Langmack, March 1990)