¿To reform a “perfect society”? Argued goals and actors found The Mexican Church towards the national Independence

La Iglesia Mexicana en la secuela a la Independencia nacional

Abstract

Independence hindered the continuance of regalism as the prevalent doctrinal orientation in the mediation of Church-State relations. In the absence of royal power, it could no longer provide a single all-encompassing political perspective on the issue despite its favored status among politicians. Even while being defined as part of national identity, religion as lived became subject in practice to debate and public opinion. Distinct theoretical, ecclesiological and practical concerns began confronting one another. Liberalism took critical vanguard positions regarding reform of religious customs. Some clergymen shared liberal viewpoints, whereas Mexican prelates and their allies demonstrated a heterogeneous stance on ecclesiastical reform, but wished it necessarily to be carried out under their authority. If indeed liberal reformism collided with ecclesiastical misgivings, clerical reformism also met resistance from vested interests and contrary views from within the clergy itself.