The bishops of Tucumán and the correction of customs in the monasteries of Santa Catalina de Siena and San José from Córdoba (1724-1740)

Abstract

The monasteries of Santa Catalina de Siena and San José had been the only female religious houses in the ancient diocese of Tucumán. They accepted the daughters from descendants of the main families of the region. In their reports the bishops usually said that the observance was kept by the nuns. However, bishops Juan de Sarricolea and Jose Antonio Gutierréz de Zevallos' involvement give us a completely different image from the second and third decade of the 18^th century. A lot of problems had been detected by these bishops, especially by Gutiérrez de Zevallos who was concerned about the closure, and denounced the lack of life in common and the mismanagement of accounts in the convents. The relaxation of customs had often been justified in the poverty of religious houses, but when the bishops tried to impose order and discipline in the monasteries, their actions caused a lot of conflicts.