Author: Simpson, Duncan A. H.

Source: Portuguese Studies, Volume 25, Number 2, 15 September 2009 , pp. 131-150(20)

Publisher: Modern Humanities Research Association

Abstract:

This article examines the political aspects which came to influence the appointment of Manuel Gonçlves Cerejeira to the Patriarchate of Lisbon on 18 November 1929. Drawing on the reports drafted by the Lisbon nuncio during the nomination process, it argues that the momentous political changes taking place on the Portuguese politico-religious scene, combined with the position adopted by the Holy See in relation to them, affected the appointment process substantially. The Catholic Church aligned itself strategically with the incumbent military dictatorship (which had put an end to the secularizing impetus of the First Republic), and was concerned with facilitating the rise within its ranks of a former prominent Catholic militant (Salazar) from 27 April 1928 onwards - first and foremost by complying with the political constraints weighing upon his action in office. This contributed to favouring the nomination of Cerejeira to the highest rank of the Portuguese Catholic hierarchy, by reason of his personal ties to Salazar and his thorough understanding of his position in Government, to the detriment of more experienced but less politically-favoured candidates to the function.

Portuguese
Este artigo examina os aspectos políticos que influenciaram a nomeação de Manuel Gonçalves Cerejeira para o Patriarcado de Lisboa em 18 de Novembro de 1929. Aproveitando-se dos relatórios elaborados pela nunciatura de Lisboa durante o processo de nomeação, argumenta que as importantes mudanças ocorridas na cena político-religiosa portuguesa, conjuntamente com a posição adoptada pela Santa Sé em relação a elas, afectaram substancialmente o processo de escolha do novo Patriarca. A Igreja Católica adoptou uma posição estratégica de apoio à incumbente ditadura militar (que tinha posto termo à secularização militante da Primeira República), e mostrou-se ansiosa por facilitar a subida nos escalões do regime de um proeminente militante católico (Salazar) a partir de 27 de Abril de 1928 - submetendo-se aos imperativos políticos que constrangiam a sua acção no seio do Governo. Isso contribuiu para o favorecimento da nomeação de Cerejeira para a mais alta posição da hierarquia católica portuguesa, devido às suas relações pessoais com Salazar e o seu profundo entendimento em relação à posição deste no Governo, em detrimento de candidatos mais experientes mas menos favorecidos politicamente.

Keywords: Cerejeira; Salazar; Portuguese Catholic Church; Vatican; Salazar; Cerejeira; igreja católica portuguesa; Vaticano

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: King's College, London

Publication date: 2009-09-15

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• The only English-language journal devoted to the literature, culture, and history of Portugal, Brazil, and the Portuguese-speaking countries of Africa. Launched in 1985, it received the 'Best New Journal Award' of the Conference of Editors of Learned Journals in 1987. It publishes articles, translations, previously unpublished historical and literary texts, bibliographical information, and a survey of research and reviews.

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