Page:Vol 2 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/413

Rh 'the priestly orders at the hands of Zumárraga was consecrated by him in 1538; but owing to a variety of circumstances he did not issue his letter organizing his diocese till 1554. Both these sees were subject to the jurisdiction of the archbishopric of Seville.

While the church was thus extending her jurisdiction over the country, and gradually unfolding an organized system of conversion and instruction, the several orders were making similar progress by establishing convents in various parts of the country. The rivalry existing between the Franciscans and Dominicans acted upon each order as an incentive, and the competition for power produced rapid results. As early as 1535 the convents of the Franciscans in Michoacan were of sufficient number and importance to cause the founding of a custodia, and in 1536, at the general chapter held in Nice by the Franciscan order, the custodia of Santo Evangelio in Mexico was raised to the dignity of a provincia, Fray García de Cisneros being appointed first provincial. On the