Page:Vol 6 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/600

 

Mexican church, after the country became independent, was for a number of years in an abnormal state. Archbishop Fonte abandoned his post, and the pope refused to declare his see vacant. Several of the suffragan dioceses had been bereft of their pastors by death, and others had been forsaken. The ecclesiastical government devolved on the chapters. The pope endeavored to induce the faithful to renew allegiance to the Spanish crown, in which he failed. For a long time he refused to confirm bishops, or to do anything toward relieving the condition of Mexico, because of his political relations with the Spanish court. At last, after the final triumph of the Mexican arms over the Spanish expedition at Tampico, the pope confirmed the bishops nominated

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