134 HIGH AND LOW CLERGY THEIR HISTORY VICES. 



The higher clergy of Mexico which was once the depository of 

 science and general learning, is now only distinguished for its ele- 

 gant manners and aristocratic tendencies. Notwithstanding some 

 members of the church, in orders and belonging to this class, were 

 engaged in the revolutionary struggle, and essentially aided in 

 making it effective, the spirit of the remainder, as a body, was in 

 reality, antagonistic to the movement. The course of the lower 

 clergy, however, was different. The members of this grade threw 

 themselves early into the rebellion, and sustained it heroically in its 

 most dangerous epochs, until it triumphed in independence. 



Although there is in Mexico great religious devotion to the 

 church, regular observance of its feasts, fasts and ceremonies, and 

 obedience to its commands, there prevails, nevertheless, consider- 

 able indifference towards its ministers, who, in too many cases have 

 justly forfeited popular respect. The curas have united themselves 

 effectually with the interests and affections of the people in the 

 rural districts where they pass the ordinary, regular life of country 

 folks remote from the dissipating influence of cities. They are 

 amiable men, prudent counsellors of all classes, and the hospitable 

 hosts of every stranger who visits their parishes. But, in many of 

 the towns and cities large numbers of the clergy, both secular and 

 regular, have forfeited the personal esteem of the high and low by 

 their openparticipation in common social vices. "These vices have 

 augmented in proportion as the bonds of discipline have been 

 loosened by the distracted condition of the country. Gambling 

 and dissipation are rooted in the clergy as well as in other classes 

 of society ; but we may specially declare that the convents of friars, 

 with few exceptions, are in Mexico, sewers of corruption. " 1 

 This frail condition of ecclesiastical discipline was satisfactorily 

 proved by the state in which the Catholic church of the United 

 States found the parishes of Texas at the period of annexation ; 

 and, it is likely, that many more flagrant instances of laxity will be 

 unveiled in New Mexico and California, to whose distant regions 

 our enlightened and pure Catholic clergymen are already directing 

 their attention with honest and pious zeal. 



The Spanish government cherished the church, for state as well 

 as religious reasons. The mayorazos or rights of primogeniture, 

 which bestowed the great bulk of patrimonial estates upon the 

 eldest son, necessarily forced the younger offspring of distinguished 

 houses either into the army or into the church ; and, hence the 

 splendid eleemosynary establishments which were erected and en- 



1 Rivero,Mejico in 1842, p. 130. 



