Repercusiones de la congregación de indios en las doctrinas de frailes. Centro de Nueva España, 1603-1625

Abstract

This work studies some of the repercussions of the congregation of Indians on the doctrines of friars and the role played by the viceroys. Likewise, it proposes to problematize the development of doctrines at the beginning of the seventeenth century, a stage little studied compared to the sixteenth century. For this, two primary sources have been consulted: the reports of the viceroys to Madrid and the book of congregations of New Spain, in addition to other documents of religious of the time and councils. The general congregation was a favorable juncture to strengthen the exercise of the royal patronage in doctrines. Consequently, the viceroys founded new doctrines, but above all, they created several dozen assistances with a permanent minister. Although they allowed the continuity of the header-visits model, the viceroys made many adjustments in the structure of the doctrines: they reinforced headers with more Indians but did the same in in various smaller towns. Many of these acquired the rank of assistances with their own annexed towns. The parochial ties between smaller towns and their headwaters were reaffirmed, usually by the viceroys themselves, but also by the Indians and the religious. The friars were urged to fulfill their spiritual obligations in all the towns that constituted a doctrine, and not only in the head. In the future, the impact of congregations on the parish life of dioceses will have to be analyzed in a more systematic way.