Catholicisme

1847 · 2345 — Mexico City: November 17 1847. About very good. Broadside approximately 12 x 8.5 inches. Previously folded two small tape repairs on blank verso. Small chip at upper left corner. Contemporary manuscript rubrics. Light toning and dust soiling. This scarce order was issued by the Archbishop of Mexico two months after the capture of Mexico City by the United States Army. It contains six articles that detail instructions for administering the last rites and orders for several other difficult matters in the occupied city. The extreme unction is to be performed secretly only in the mornings and at night unless the physician believes it is not possible to wait and further instructions are given on how to proceed secretly but properly with the ritual. The fifth article states that that if the American troops insult the residents the clergy should try to restore calm to obtain assistance from the local guards and to inform the American garrison commanders. The final article states that parish priests should "Proceder con la mayor prudencia y usar de los medios y vias mas suaves á fin de evitar toda clase de disturbios." An interesting reflection of the official fear of American distaste for Catholicism; we locate only one example at Yale. November 17 unknown