USA > California > Los Angeles County > History of Los Angeles county, Volume I > Part 40
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unity is rendered too difficult for the most remote of Our flock and We are not able, on account of the distance and the natural condition of the terri- tory, to refresh them with frequent admonitions, counsels, exhortations, and, in fine, by spiritual aids of whatever kind, or to heal their wounds promptly. We do as does an affectionate mother far distant from her children : she assuredly loves them with the more ardor the more she sees herself unable to lavish upon her absent ones all the services of a special love.
"Hence, not only do We daily pray for the most bountiful of celestial blessings to fall upon this part of the flock which We ever have in mind, but We also leave nothing undone which may in any way contribute to the spiritual welfare of the same. While We were assiduously revolving these matters in Our mind, those composing the Government of Mexico in North America humbly supplicated that We by Apostolic Authority separate Cali- fornia from the Diocese of Sonora within the same Mexican boundaries, erect there an Episcopal See to be called the See of California, and give it a Bishop of its own.
"Although the beginning of the Diocese of Sonora is not to be sought previous to the year 1799, and itself was formed of parts from the Dioceses of Guadalajara and Durango, nevertheless that territory was soon extended so widely that it not only embraces the vast provinces of Sonora, Ostimuri and Sinaloa, but the whole immense California besides. The last named, however, which is said to exceed seven hundred leagues, is divided into Old and New California. The former includes the Peninsula of California which the ancient writers on natural affairs believed to be an island. The latter, however, is joined to Old California by a wild tract of land. Both, at present, constitute one of the Mexican provinces. If the mind considers the great roughness of the roads, the rapid currents of the rivers, which, at times, it is impossible to cross, and moreover the immense mountain chains, which are inhabited by barbarians, it will be apparent that the Bishop of Sonora is by these causes hindered from governing and moderating with necessary effectiveness the flock entrusted to his care, from visiting his whole diocese, and from devoting himself entirely to the conversion of those whom, for lacking the light of the Gospel, We bitterly mourn as wrapped in the densest darkness of error. This worst of all evils both Old and New California is suffering in a peculiar degree; for although missionaries of the Orders of St. Dominic and St. Francis have spiritual charge of these provinces, yet each is situated in the farthest part of the Diocese of Sonora, and therefore not assisted by the presence of a Pastor, who, powerful in word and deed, might edify the people by his speech and example, correct what is depraved, consolidate what is disrupted, strengthen those weak in Faith, and enlighten the ignorant.
"2. These and other good reasons adduced by the Government of Mexico through its embassador to the Apostolic See have been presented to Us with such force that, after having considered every thing with mature deliberation, and having observed the great advantage of it, We most willingly accede to the petitions offered. Therefore, with certain knowledge of the matter, in the plenitude of Apostolic Power, and also from Our own initiative, supplying the consent of Our Venerable Brother Lazaro de Garza, now Bishop of Sonora, and of others who may be concerned, We forever
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take away, detach, sever and separate whole California, namely the Old as well as the New California, together with all and every one of the parishes, churches, convents and monasteries, and all secular and regular benefices of whatever kind existing there, likewise all persons of both sexes, dwellers and inhabitants, the laity as well as clergy, priests, beneficiaries and the religious of whatever grade, status, order or condition staying there, from the Diocese of Sonora to which they belonged. Moreover, the City of San Diego in new California, situated in the center of California and regarded as more suitable than other places, We establish and institute as episcopal city with its court and ecclesiastical chancery and all and each of the honors, rights, privileges and prerogatives used and enjoyed by the cities and citizens honored by an episcopal see in the Mexican dominion.
"3. We command that the principal church in the said territory of San Diego be raised and elevated to the honor and dignity of a cathedral church, and therein likewise We command to have erected and established in per- petuity the see and episcopal seat of the one henceforth to be called the Bishop of California, who is to preside over the same church, city and diocese to be designated presently, and over its clergy, to convoke the synod, to have and exercise all and every episcopal right, office and duty, and to have his chapter, seal, archives, and the income to be presently laid down, and all other episcopal insignia, rights, honors, precedence, graces, favors, indults, jurisdiction and prerogatives which the other cathedrals in the Mexican dominion and their Bishops enjoy, provided that they are not granted them by special indult or privilege.
"4. To the California cathedral church, thus erected and to its Bishop, We adjudge and assign as its own diocese hereafter the entire Old and New California, as above cut off and separated from the Diocese of Sonora, to be the diocese of the New California bishopric, and this California, thus allotted and assigned, and in it the existing parishes, churches, convents, monasteries, and all other secular and regular benefices of whatever Order, the persons of either sex, the inhabitants, clergy as well as laity, but not those exempt, of whatever class. We likewise subject in perpetuity to the jurisdiction, rule, power, and authority of the new Bishop of the California Diocese, and to him We assign and allot them as his city, territory, diocese, clergy and people, likewise in perpetuity.
"5. In order, however, that the future Bishop of California during his lifetime may live in a manner becoming his dignity, and may properly pro- vide for the vicat-general and episcopal court, We ascribe and assign as episcopal income the Fund of the real estate which the Mexican Govern- ment in accordance with its promise will set apart.
"6. With regard to the property of the new California cathedral church, We likewise ascribe and adjudge as an income for its maintenance in perpetuity the Fund which the same Government promised to surrender. We ordain that as soon as possible there be assigned and given suitable buildings for the habitation of the future Bishop and the dwelling of his episcopal court as near to the cathedral as possible; if they are wanting and must be rented, We decree that arrangements be made for defraying such expenses.
"7. As to the forming of a chapter at the cathedral church, and its endowment with similar means from the Fund, as also the construction and
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endowment of a seminary for ecclesiastical students, the aforesaid Govern- ment, as soon as the circumstances of time and places permit, will supply what is usually furnished to other cathedral chapters and ecclesiastical seminaries in the Mexican dominion.
"8. We command that the said California Church thus constituted shall be of right subject to the Metropolitan Archbishop of Mexico, and We direct that it shall enjoy all the faculties, exemptions and rights which belong to other suffragans of the Metropolitan Mexican Church.
"9. We order that the revenue of the same new Diocese of California shall be taxed as customary for thirty-three and one-third florins, and that this tax shall be noted in the books of the Apostolic Treasury and Sacred College.
"10. In order that everything above arranged by Us take effect, We bestow upon Our Venerable brother Emanuel Posada y Carduno, Arch- bishop of the Metropolitan Mexican Church, whom We choose and depute as the executor of these Our Letters, all the necessary and expedient facul- ties for self, or by means of another person clothed with ecclesiastical dignity to be subdelegated by him, may ordain and decree and also with the faculty of the same executor or his delegate, definitely, freely and law- fully pronounce upon any obstacle whatever which might perhaps arise in the act of execution. He shall also have the duty of carefully describing in the executive decree the boundaries, especially of New California, and of transmitting to the Apostolic See, within six months after the carrying out of the Apostolic Letters, a copy, drawn up in authentic form, of all decrees he may publish in the execution of these Letters, in order that it may be preserved in the records of the Congregation presiding over Consistorial Affairs.
"11. We will and determine that these Letters, and whatever they con- tain, be at no time whatever impugned or called into question, or charged with the defect of subreption, or obreption or nullity, or lack of intention on Our part, or any other even substantial defect, not even for the reason that any persons concerned or claiming to be concerned have not been notified or given a hearing or have not consented to the foregoing; for from the ful- ness of Apostolic Power We supply, as far as necessary, their consent, and We will that these Letters always and ever exist and be valid and in force, and obtain and have their full and entire effect, and be inviolably observed by all whom they concern.
"12. We thus determine notwithstanding the Regulations about not taking away what is of right demanded, about suppressions committed against parties concerned, and other Rules of Our Own or of the Apostolic Chancery, or Apostolic Mandates issued in Synods or Councils, particular or general, or whatever other Ordinances of Our Predecessors, the Roman Pontiffs, or whatever else to the contrary.
"13. We determine, moreover, that the copies of these Letters, even the printed ones, signed, however, by a notary public, and provided with the seal of a person clothed with ecclesiastical dignity, shall, on being exhibited or shown, receive absolutely the same credit.
"14. No one whosoever, therefore, shall be permitted to infringe these Our Letters of dismemberment, segregation, separation, erection, establish- ing, assignment, allotment, subjection, concession, indult, decree, deroga-
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tion and will, or dare temerariously to contradict. If any one, however, shall presume to attempt this, let him know that he incurs the indignation of God Almighty and of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul.
"Given in Rome at St. Peter's in the year of the Incarnation of the Lord 1840, on the 27th day of April, in the tenth Year of Our Pontificate."
The Pope, under the same date, issued another bull, which was addressed to the clergy of the new diocese, the text of which is as follows: "Gregory, Bishop, Servant of the Servants of God, to the Beloved Sons, the Clergy of the Territory and Diocese of the Californias, Health and Apostolic Benediction .- As the Church of the Californias today lacks the consolation of having a Pastor, We have provided one in the person of Our beloved son Francisco Garcia Diego, professed member of the Order of St. Francis, chosen for said Church, a person who for his merits is acceptable to Us and to Our Venerable Brothers, the Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church. With the advice therefore, of the same Cardinals, Our Brothers, and in virtue of Our Apostolic Authority, We name him Bishop and Pastor, and commit to him the care, government, and administration of the Church in the Californias, both in spiritual and temporal matters, as is more fully contained in Our Letters erecting the Diocese. We therefore command by this Our Letter that you cheerfully accept the said Francisco as Father and Pastor of your souls, show him due obedience and reverence, receive with humility his salutary admonitions and commands, and endeavor to comply with them sincerely. Otherwise, the sentence which the same Francisco may pronounce against the rebellious, we shall regard as just, and shall see that it is observed inviolably until condign satisfaction is made. Given at St. Peter, Rome, in the year of the Incarnation of the Lord 1840, on the 27th day of April, in the tenth year of Our Pontificate."
The new bishop, Garcia Diego, acting under the authority of the above bull of Pope Gregory, arrived in the harbor of San Diego the night of December 10, 1841, on the good ship Rosalind, Capt. Henry John Crouch, with his entourage, promptly announcing his arrival to Governor Alvarado. Two days afterward, the first Bishop of California addressed the following note to the Superior of the Franciscan Friars at Zacatecas :
"San Diego, December 12, 1841. My Son, Brother, and most beloved Father .- Yesterday I reached this insignificant town in good and sound health, thanks be to God! You have me here now at your service.
I brought with me two priests of our College, and think that one of them will, as soon as possible, proceed to your mission to take your place, in order that you may come to serve me as secretary and confessor. I have already spoken to the Fr. Guardian about this and he has consented. You may notify the Fathers when you come in order that they may address you wherever you may be when they have any business with you.
"The ex-donado, Gomez, arrived with me as sub-deacon. There also came along three other students, of whom two will soon be ordained. Two boys are also in the company. With them I shall start my seminary. I could not obtain more for reasons which I shall tell you when we meet. Do not fail to write to me as often as you can, etc. [ Signed] Fr. Francisco, Bishop of the Californias."
"Insignificant" though San Diego appears to have been at that time, apparently the people that composed its population had the desire to be
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good Christians. One hundred and twenty-five of them presented them- selves to the new bishop for confirmation in the chapel of the Presidio. According to the records of the missions as set forth in the monumental and priceless work "Missions and Missionaries of California," by Fray Zephyrin Engelhardt, of the Orders of Friars Minor, at Santa Barbara, the sponsors at this historic celebration were no less personages than Pio Pico, Francisco Maria Alvarado, Jose Antonio Estudillo and Manuel Ver- dugo. If you are looking for a quartette of great California names, there you have it.
Since San Diego is now one of the great cities of the world, its battles fought and its victories won, it will be surely no harm to admit that it really was an "insignificant" town four score years ago. According to Fray Zephyrin, Bishop Diego soon reached the conviction that-and notwith- standing that the town bore the bishop's saint's name-it was "with its fewer than 150 inhabitants, its wretched habitations and its lack of resources, unfit to be the center of a vast diocese."
Accordingly, the bishop set forth for Santa Barbara, to take up his Episcopal residence there. He sailed away from the Harbor of the Sun in a ship owned by Don Jose Antonio Aguirre, master and owner of many ships, whose bride was Rosario, a daughter of the Estudillos. News had been sent ahead to Santa Barbara that his lordship was on his way to that famous port. And the news caused great joy there, says Fray Zephyrin.
Robinson, a historian to whom we are indebted for much priceless knowledge of early California, was a witness of the reception of the bishop to Santa Barbara, which he describes as follows :
"The vessel was in sight on the morning of the 11th of January, 1842, but lay becalmed and rolling to the ocean's swell. A boat put off from her side, and approached the landing-place. One of the attendants of his Excellency who came in it, repaired to the Mission, to communicate with the Father Presidente. All was bustle ; men, women, and children hasten- ing to the beach, banners flying, drums beating, and soldiers marching' The whole population of the place turned out, to pay homage to this first Bishop of California. At eleven o'clock the vessel anchored. He came on shore, and was welcomed by the kneeling multitude. All received his benediction- all kissed the pontifical ring. The troops, and civic authorities, then escorted him to the house of Don Jose Antonio, where he dined. A carriage had been prepared for his Excellency, which was accompanied by several others, occupied by the Presidente and his friends. The females had formed with ornamental canes, beautiful arches, through which the procession passed, and as it marched along, the heavy artillery of the presidio contin- ued to thunder forth its noisy welcome. At the time he left the barque she was enveloped in smoke, and the distant report of her guns, was heard echoing among the hills in our rear. At four o'clock, the Bishop was escorted to the Mission, and, when a short distance from the town, the enthusiastic inhabitants took the horses from his carriage and dragged it themselves. Halting at the small bower, on the road, he alighted, went into it, and put on his pontifical robes ; then returning to the carriage, he con- tinued on, amidst the sound of music and the firing of guns, till he arrived at the church, where he addressed the multitude that followed him."
It does not appear that Bishop Diego had either any joy out of Los
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Angeles, or any trouble with it, or that he even came near it. The first bishop had a hard road to travel. He could not raise money for the support of his administration. And, after all, Los Angeles was the great thorn in his side for the reason that it was here that Pio Pico had his headquarters as governor and conspirator as well.
It was from Los Angeles that Pio Pico directed his campaign for the secularization of the missions, which really meant the destruction of the missions. And it was from here that he sent his polite but heart-breaking messages to Bishop Diego-messages couched in diplomatic language but deadly in their real intent. Under the strain of his troubles, this faithful first bishop of the Californias sickened and died and went to his reward.
One of the things that troubled and distressed a great deal the authori- ties of the Catholic Church at this time was the marriage of Protestants and Catholics, which was against the laws of Mexico and the church. But nearly all of the prominent citizens of Los Angeles who were of American or English birth, and not Catholics, married the women of the country and joined their creed. "Americans and English who intend to reside here became Papist,-the current phrase among them being, 'A man must leave his conscience at Cape Horn,' " said Dana in his "Two Years Before the Mast."
But there were still marriages taking place without the sanction of the church, and when the padres complained about it to the American authori- ties in 1847, just as the Americans had got their hands on California, it is interesting to note the view that the American military authorities took of these marriages. The following highly diplomatic letter written by Col. R. B. Mason, military governor of the territory of California, to a justice of the peace who had performed the marriage ceremony for a Protestant man and a Catholic woman, will prove interesting. The letter was as follows :
"Sir: I desire that, during the existing state of affairs in California, you will not perform the marriage ceremony in any case where either of the parties are members of the Catholic Church of this country.
"I am induced to give these instructions from the fact that the United States Government are exceedingly desirous, and indeed make it obligatory upon their authorities here, to secure to the Californians the full enjoyment of their religion and security in all their churches and church privileges.
"As their canonical laws, and I believe their civil laws also, prohibit any but their own priests from uniting members of their Church in marriage, it is not proper that we should break in upon those laws, or customs, as the case may be, and particularly it is the wish of the President that when the country is subjected to our laws the people may be as favorably disposed toward our government as possible.
"It is therefore good policy for us to abstain from doing anything that will have a tendency to give them offense in matters wherein it may be thought their relations or Church privileges are encroached upon. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, R. B. Mason, Colonel 1st Dragoons, Governor of California."
Colonel Mason proved to be the right man in the right place during the crisis that existed between the end of Mexican rule and the beginning of American rule in California. The Catholics were pleased with his actions,
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and the few Protestants then in the territory were not offended by anything that he did.
The next bishop of California was Jose Sadoc Alemany, a Dominican. And California-our present, of Alta California-was at the same time erected into a separate and distinct diocese and separated entirely from Lower California. Bishop Alemany took up his Episcopal residence at Santa Barbara. Then, in 1853, he was made an archbishop with his Metro- politan See in San Francisco. Then a new diocese, including Los Angeles, and called the Diocese of Monterey, was erected, with Thaddeus Amat of Barcelona, a Vincentian, as bishop. Bishop Amat selected Monterey as his Episcopal residence. Later he removed to Santa Barbara, and, accord- ing to Fray Zephyrin, he made the old mission church there a pro-cathedral. He finally, however, came to Los Angeles, where he laid the cornerstone of the Cathedral of St. Vibiana, the present cathedral, on October 3, 1869.
Since then there have been four bishops in succession, namely, Fran- cisco Mora, George Montgomery, Thomas James Conaty and the present bishop, John Joseph Cantwell. Los Angeles became the See of the bishop with Mora, and still remains so.
There are today in the City of Los Angeles thirty or more Catholic churches and numbers of parochial schools and convents, and a Jesuit college, with the number of them all constantly increasing. And the old first church, built on the Plaza, is still standing and is attended every Sun- day morning by thousands of devout worshipers.
We feel that we would rob our readers if we failed to reproduce here from the writings of the late Professor Guinn the following colorful references to the old Plaza Church, which Professor Guinn wrote some years ago in his book on California, after long residence here and much patient and painstaking investigation into ancient and dusty records :
"The first church or chapel built in Los Angeles," says Guinn, "stood at the foot of the hill, near what is now the Southeast corner of Buena Vista Street and Bellevue Avenue. It was an adobe structure about 18x24 feet in size, and was completed in 1784. In 1811 the citizens obtained permission to build a new church-the primitive chapel had become too small to accommodate the increasing population of the pueblo and its vicinity.
"The corner stone of the new church was laid and blessed August 15, 1814, by Father Gil, of the Mission San Gabriel. Just where it was placed is uncertain. It is probable that it was on the eastern side of the old Plaza. In 1818 it was moved to higher ground-its present site. The great flood of 1815, when the waters of the river came up to the lower side of the old Plaza, probably necessitated the change. When the foundation was laid a second time the citizens subscribed 500 cattle. In 1819 the friars of the San Gabriel Mission contributed seven barrels of brandy to the building fund worth $575. This donation, with the previous contribution of cattle, was sufficient to raise the walls to the window arches by 1821. There it came to full stop. The Pueblo colonists were poor in purse and chary of exertion. They were more willing to wait than to labor. Indeed, they seem to have performed but little of the labor. The neophytes of San Gabriel and San Luis Rey did the most of the work and were paid a real. (twelve and a half cents) a day each. Jose Antonio Ramerez was the
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architect. When the colonists' means were exhausted the Missions were appealed to for aid. They responded to the appeal.
"The contributions to the building fund were various in kind and some- what incongruous in character. The Mission San Miguel contributed 500 cattle, San Luis Abispo 200, Santa Barbara one barrel of brandy, San Diego two barrels of white wine, Purisima six mules and 200 cattle, San Gabriel two barrels of brandy and San Fernando one. Work was begun again on the church and pushed to completion. A house for the curate was also built. It was an adobe structure and stood near the northeast corner of the church. The church was completed and formally dedicated Decem- ber 8, 1822-eight years after the laying of the first corner stone.
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