Decreto da Propaganda sobre a ilha de Hong-Kong
This 1842 administrative and ecclesiastical document, originating from the Secretariat of State for Foreign Affairs on 24 December, records the provisional ecclesiastical governance of the island and region of Fontana following the opening of Ling-haomo to civil administration under imperial decree....
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| Summary: | This 1842 administrative and ecclesiastical document, originating from the Secretariat of State for Foreign Affairs on 24 December, records the provisional ecclesiastical governance of the island and region of Fontana following the opening of Ling-haomo to civil administration under imperial decree. The text, referencing deliberations held at Angoche, confirms that Pope Pius XVI, in his capacity as Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith, entrusted full spiritual care and pastoral administration of the area to the Fathers Provincial (P.P.), pending the establishment of a formal ecclesiastical See. The decision reflects the Catholic Church’s institutional response to the spiritual needs of missionaries and faithful in the region during a period of colonial administrative transition. Additionally, the document cites an earlier edict of 22 April 1841, which annulled all prior regulations currently in force in the locality, thereby establishing a new canonical framework. Endorsements are provided by Archbishop Idelfonso ai decr., António Pedro de Carvalho, and Ibi Maria de Arquica, indicating formal ecclesiastical and administrative ratification. The use of terms such as ‘canonical pounds’ points to the application of ecclesiastical law and financial provisions within this jurisdiction. This primary source offers critical insight into the intersection of colonial governance, religious administration, and papal authority in mid-19th century imperial and missionary contexts. It is a key document for researchers examining the role of the Catholic Church in colonial territories, the mechanics of ecclesiastical jurisdiction, and the interplay between state and religious institutions during the period. Doc.62 |
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