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FL's new auxiliary bishop Resino left three weeks after he arrived in SA

Source: The Governorship of Spanish Florida #122

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This satisfied the governor and the new auxiliary, but a new obstacle arose. The bishop cold not take his post in Florida without being consecrated. Canon law required three bishops to invest him with his office. Since three such dignitaries could not be found in Cuba, Resino had to sail to Merida, Yucatan, for the formal rites, which took place early in 1709. After the ceremony Resino returned to Cuba, packed his few belongings, and sailed for Florida on the Nuestra Senora de Rosario. Harried by 11 English men-of-war, the Spanish vessel, nevertheless, managed to escape capture. [Note 21: Resino had a premonition that he might encounter difficulties in making the voyage to Florida and told the king in a letter that he had prayed fervently to God to insure him a safe passage to Saint Augustine. Auxiliary bishop of Cuba to king 6/10/1709] On June 23, 1709, Resino disembarked at the Florida capital.

Despite their earlier opposition to an auxiliary bishopric, Governor Corcoles and his colonists gave Resino a warm welcome. For the first time in 35 years a bishop had come to Saint Augustine to make confirmations. The Floridians were also impressed by Resino’s humble manner and appreciated his interest in their spiritual welfare. The auxiliary, however, was wretched in his new charge. All the principal religious buildings were in ashes, and there was no suitable episcopal residence in the colony. Because of the war raging with England, the Franciscans had given up their mission work, and there was no longer any need for episcopal visitations of the three provinces of Apalache, Carlos, and Guale. All he could hope to accomplish was to confirm the newly baptized Spaniards and the few Indians who still remained under Spanish control. [Note 23: Fray Claudio de Florencia to king 7/10/1709; gov to king 7/20/1709] Disheartened by conditions in his new charge, Resino departed for Havana only three weeks after his arrival. A short time later on September 12, 1711, he died, leaving the auxiliary bishopric open once again.

(Tepaske GSF)