Sobre a delimitação de diocese de Macau e Cantão
This 1903 diplomatic and ecclesiastical correspondence, originating from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Portugal and addressed to the Secretary of State, concerns the contested implementation of a Holy See decree dated 3 February 1903 regarding the reorganisation of ecclesiastical jurisdictions...
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| Format: | Documents |
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| Language: | Portuguese |
| Published: |
October, 1903
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| Subjects: |
Apostolic Prefecture of Canton
;
Bishop João Paulino de Azevedo e Castro
;
Catholic Church in China
;
Chao-King district
;
Colonial Church Administration
;
Diocese of Macau
;
Early 20th Century
;
Ecclesiastical Geography
;
French missionary opposition
;
Hainan Island jurisdiction
;
Heung-Shan
;
Holy See decree
;
Kwang-Chow
;
Missionary Jurisdictional Conflicts
;
Papal Assent
;
Portuguese diplomatic correspondence
;
Portuguese-French negotiations
;
Religious Diplomacy
;
Reorganisation Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction
;
San-Ning
;
San-Ui
;
Shan-Chau (St John’s Island)
;
Shum-Tak
;
Southern China
;
Vatican Authority
;
Documents
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| Online Access: | https://macau-legacy.usj.edu.mo/docs/SYLG92BN/viewer_SYLG92BN.html |
| Summary: | This 1903 diplomatic and ecclesiastical correspondence, originating from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Portugal and addressed to the Secretary of State, concerns the contested implementation of a Holy See decree dated 3 February 1903 regarding the reorganisation of ecclesiastical jurisdictions in southern China. The document details negotiations between the Portuguese and French governments, with papal assent, to transfer jurisdiction of Hainan Island from the Diocese of Macau to the Apostolic Prefecture of Canton, in exchange for granting the Bishop of Macau authority over the Shao-King district. A dispute arises due to a perceived geographical error in the decree, which asserts territorial contiguity between Shao-King and Heung-Shan, despite intervening sub-districts—San-Ning, San-Ui, and Shum-Tak—belonging to Kwang-Chow. The Bishop of Macau, João Paulino de Azevedo e Castro, argues that the Holy See’s intention included these sub-districts and the island of Shan-Chau (St John’s Island), a site of religious significance. He attributes resistance from the Apostolic Prefecture of Canton to strategic opposition by French missionaries rather than genuine clerical concern. The text underscores Portugal’s determination to assert its ecclesiastical rights under the Concordats of 1857 and 1886, secure missionary access, and prevent further delays detrimental to spiritual and colonial interests. The document is accompanied by a map and urgent recommendations for clarification from the Holy See to ensure unambiguous jurisdictional transfer. Maco 2, Doc. 15 |
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