Intromisión de la jerarquía eclesiástica en la jurisdicción real (1815): pecado y/o delito

Abstract

Durante la Guerra de la Independencia (1808-13) el Obispo de Valladolid se había mostrado en cierta medida colaboracionista con la ocupación francesa. Sin embargo, apenas expulsadas las tropas imperiales (1813) y rescatado el absolutismo por Fernando VII (1814), el obispado trata de recuperar viejos privilegios jurisdiccionales del más rancio pasado. El objetivo, no disimulado, es tratar de borrar la maléfica herencia de las ‘últimas turbulencias’; o sea, de la ocupación francesa.En este intento de recuperación, que la jerarquía eclesiástica vallisoletana considera justa y perentoria, invade de forma ostensible competencias de la jurisdicción real, que en Valladolid está representada nada menos que por la Real Chancillería. La reacción de ésta es inmediata y bien documentada. La actitud del obispado es la de reafirmarse en sus posiciones e incluso con cierto darle cierto aire de reto. Ante la firmeza de la Chancillería, con amenazas muy duras en caso de desobediencia a la autoridad real, en principio, los representantes de la jerarquía eclesiástica parecen retroceder, pero solo aparentemente. El obispo se decide a recurrir directamente al Rey, saltándose a la Chancillería. Al final el Obispo termina ganado la partida. Por la vía del hecho consumado consigue que lo que es pecado (esfera religiosa) termine también castigándose como delito. Viejos antecedentes de pretensiones actuales.

During the War of Independence (1808-1813), the bishop of Valladolid had seemed collaborationist with the French occupation to a certain extent. However, shortly after the imperial troops were thrown out (1813) and absolutism was rescued by Ferdinand the VII (1814), the bishopric tried to get back its long- established jurisdictional authority. His unconcealed aim was trying to erase the maleficent legacy of ‘recent uproars’; that is, of the French occupation.Within this attempt of restoration of order, considered by Valladolid’s church hierarchy as fair and urgent, the bishopric ostensibly invaded royal jurisdictional powers, represented in Valladolid by the Royal Chancery itself. The reaction of the latter was immediate and well documented at the time. As a response to it, the bishopric’s stance was to reassert its position in a challenging way. Given the Chancery’s determination, accompanied by harsh threats in case of disobedience to royal authority, the Church hierarchy representatives seemingly receded. As a result, the bishop resolved to bypass the Chancery, appealing directly to the King. Eventually, the bishop ended up winning this game, and by means of fait accompli, achieved what was considered as a sin within the religious field to end up being punished as severely as a crime, setting up old precedents (1815) for current claims.