Colección de las ordenanzas que para el Gobierno de el Obispado de Michoacan Hicieron y promulgaron con Real Aprobación sus Illmos. Señores Prelados. de buena memoria, D FR Marcos Ramirez de Prado, y D Juan de Ortega Montanez

Author: Ramirez de Prado y Ovando Marcos (1592-1667) and Juan de Ortega Montanez

Year: 1776

Publisher: Edición de D. Felipe Zuñiga y Ontiveros

Place: Mexico City

Description:

[11 unnumbered]+284 pages. Small octavo (7 3/4" x 5 3/4") bound in original period vellum with hand written to spine with original ties. (Medina, México 5923; Palau 56598; Sabin 67658) First printed in 1685 and brought up to date in this revised edition.

A comprehensive account of the organization of the Bishopric of Michoacan are provided by these Ordenanzas, originally published in 1685 and brought up to date in this revised edition by Casillas y Cabrera, Oficial mayor de la Secretaría del Obispado. They contain both the Ordenanzas issued in 1642 by Fr. Marcos Ramirez de Prado, bishop of Michoacan 1639,1666, and the much more extensive and detailed Ordenanzas issued by Juan de Ortega Montañez, bishop of Michoacan, Inquisitor of the Tribunal del Santo Oficio de México and Viceroy of New Spain (27,02,1696 a 18,12,1696). Both Ramirez and Ortega Montañez were concerned with the relationship between the clergy and the secular authorities, the reform of abuses and the need for the clergy to be above reproach, specially in their dealings with the Indians. Both bishops devote special sections to the natives: De los naturales y como se han de tratar. (Ramírez, 36,40 pp.) and Indios, su enseñanza de doctrina, y otros puntos a ellos pertenecientes (Ortega Montañez 164,194 pp.). Their instructions were designed both to provide protection for the Indians. Ramirez for example prohibits the purchase of land from Indians so there could be no question of the clergy having intimidated them and to ensure their spiritual welfare. Procedures were laid down for dealing with natives who failed to fulfil their religious obligations or resisted indoctrination for themselves or their children. These included reporting them to the ministers of the law. Orders were given for the persecution of witchcraft, dancing, drunkenness and other disorderly conduct.

Condition:

One time short, very small worm hole from vellum to page 60, corners bumped, spine faded, old period inscription to title verso, some spotting to vellum else about very good.