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Benavides' treatment of FL clergy alarmed the bishop of Cuba
Source: The Governorship of Spanish Florida #122
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Arguments over a separate diocese continued until 1723, when Cuban religious leaders finally gave up their struggle to rid themselves of Florida. It appears that Bishop Varas and his advisers in Cuba had become alarmed over Governor Benavides’ attempts to dominate the secular clergy in Florida. Since assuming the governorship in 1718, he had purged the curate of the parochial church, brought charges against his temporary replacement, and in every way tried to assert his influence over the clerics serving in Saint Augustine. The bishop gave up his fight for a separate diocese and appointed Father Diego Rubi de Celis as auxiliary bishop, a move evidently calculated to challenge the Florida governor’s growing power over religious affairs. In the meantime, however, Bishop Varas died, and his replacement, Gaspar Molina, took a leave from Compostela’s book. The new prelate refused either to pay for the papal bulls authorizing the appointment or to provide the 1,000 pesos for the auxiliary’s maintenance, and once again Florida was without an auxiliary bishop. In Florida Governor Benavides was undoubtedly pleased over the course of events, for he opposed a religious supernumerary in any form as a threat to his own pre-eminence in the colony. He stated in a report to the Council of the Indies that any bishop or auxiliary bishop should concern himself solely with religious affairs and stay out of political matters, which were his province. The Council, however, sensed the governor’s hostility and were sharply critical of his stand. Its caustic reply maintained that the bishop could not hope to advance the spiritual welfare of the colony without the support of the governor. Both officials had to recognize the close ties binding the church and state and do their best to promote the religious interests of the colony. The Council also believed than an auxiliary bishop would make a valuable adviser for the governor and provide the impetus needed to rebuild the church and the convent. (Tepaske GSF)
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