Reclaiming Church Wealth: The Recovery of Church Property after Expropriation in the Archdiocese of Guadalajara, 1860-1911 (review)

This study fills a gap in our knowledge and understanding of an important aspect of nineteenth-century Mexican history. The author, professor emeritus of history at the University of Texas, consulted all relevant secondary materials, as well as primary sources both printed and previously unavailable church documents, notably those in the Archivo del Arzobispado de Guadalajara (AAG). The major focus of the work is "the process by which the archdiocese was able to recuperate very conservatively 30% of its [nationalized] wealth between 1860 and 1911, and the nature and use of this income" (p. 2). Juárez also assesses the analyses and conclusions of other scholars who have examined various aspects of the ecclesiastical property issue.

Church authorities strenuously opposed liberal attacks on ecclesiastical property. Excommunication and eternal damnation were promised anyone who participated in the spoliation of the Church. Nevertheless, a massive transfer of real estate and capital occurred following the disamortization of corporate (civil and ecclesiastical) property in 1856 and the nationalization of capital in 1859. Having failed to safeguard its rights and interests through support for conservative governments and Maximilian's empire, the hierarchy decided on "an accommodationist approach" and agreed to "reasonable settlement" terms with those who had acquired church property.

The heart of the study involves "2792 unduplicated cases of settlement" found in the AAG. Juárez's analysis reveals the distribution between urban and rural holdings recovered (Although it held more urban than rural property, the Church recovered 48% of the value of its rural vs. 29% of its urban properties.); the relative importance of different categories of purchasers, such as hacendados, professionals, merchants, and politicians; the terms of settlement (Overall, the Church received 73% of what it originally asked for in settlement, and almost two-thirds of those settling paid less than 500 pesos.); and the uses to which recovered wealth was devoted (the same uses as prior to nationalization).

Laws and the Constitution notwithstanding, "the church continued to own, buy and sell property during the porfiriato" (p. 136), and the Church continued to act as a bank. It lent, as before the Reform, at 5-6% annually, while others were charging 72-108%. Individuals concluded agreements with the Church for various reasons, for example, to safeguard their acquisition of church property and/or to secure possession to heirs or potential subsequent purchasers. Settlements were also reached with those who feared damnation and with those who by acquiring property had hoped to preserve it for the ecclesiastical corporation.

This highly specialized study is carefully researched and clearly written. It is replete with specific examples that elaborate on points made. Juárez acknowledges the incomplete nature of available documentation, and he recognizes that much remains to be done. He concludes by posing several questions for future researchers in local archives to address, as well as for those pursuing comparative regional studies on the complex property question.