The formation of the ecclesiastic mesh of the territory of the district of Serro do Frio, Minas Gerais, 1702-1821

Abstract

This study proposes to critically evaluate the relationship between the Portuguese colonization of The Brazilian territory from the mines of Serro do Frio [present-day city of Serro/MG] in the period between 1702 and 1821 and the creation of the ecclesiastical mesh in constant dispute between three archbishoprics, Bahia, Rio de Janeiro and Mariana for the mass of faithful devotees under the influence of the “Tridentine shadow”. We discussed the role of diocesan bishops in the daily lives of these populations of the Serro do Frio County with their parishes or parishes, which are fundamental for understanding the formation process of the national territory, since the churches as temples delimited spaces of sociability and political exercise of authority and power of its priests and brotherhoods. The research methodology focused on bibliographic research and the micro-historical theoretical framework in order to describe the space of the characters of the period. The conclusions point to a temporal division of the formation of the mountainous and mining ecclesiastical network, between the periods from 1702 to 1750 o (Old Portuguese Regime) and from 1750 to 1821 (enlightened Portuguese despotism) marked by the performance of the subjects in the system of the royal patronage.