RELIGIOUS LINKAGES BETWEEN MACAO AND THE PHILIPPINES澳門與菲律賓的宗教聯系
This article examines the historical religious linkages between Macao and the Philippines from the mid-16th century through the 19th century, arguing that these spiritual ties were inextricably shaped by the political and economic rivalries of the Spanish and Portuguese empires. Despite their geogra...
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| Published in: | Review of Culture |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Articles |
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Instituto Cultural de Macau
January 2004
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| Online Access: | https://www.icm.gov.mo/rc/viewer/pdfViewerParts/40009/3868 |
| Summary: | This article examines the historical religious linkages between Macao and the Philippines from the mid-16th century through the 19th century, arguing that these spiritual ties were inextricably shaped by the political and economic rivalries of the Spanish and Portuguese empires. Despite their geographical proximity, Macao and Manila functioned as the distant outposts of the Portuguese *Padroado* and the Spanish *Patronato Real*, respectively. The author highlights that even during the Iberian Union (1580–1640), the two colonies maintained a "one monarch, two administrations" policy, resulting in mutual mistrust and institutional independence.
The study demonstrates that religious exchange was primarily facilitated by maritime trade routes rather than formal ecclesiastical cooperation. Missionaries from both empires utilized the commercial infrastructure of the silk and silver trades to penetrate mission fields in China and Japan. Furthermore, the article contrasts the jurisdictional structures of the two regions: Macao functioned as a suffragan see of Goa, while Manila was initially tied to Mexico. By analyzing the founding of these colonial centers and their respective religious identities—Macao as the "City of the Holy Name of God" and Cebu/Manila under the "Holy Name of Jesus"—the author reveals a complex relationship defined by shared faith yet persistent geopolitical competition. Ultimately, the article concludes that the religious history of Macao and the Philippines cannot be understood in isolation from the commercial galleon trade that served as the primary conduit for Iberian missionary efforts in the Far East. |
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| ISSN: | 1682-1106 |