Intra Arcana was a papal bull of

Clement VII Pope Clement VII ( la, Clemens VII; it, Clemente VII; born Giulio de' Medici; 26 May 1478 – 25 September 1534) was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 19 November 1523 to his death on 25 September 1534. Deemed "the ...

promulgated on May 8, 1529. This document was addressed specifically to the ruler of the

Holy Roman Empire The Holy Roman Empire was a Polity, political entity in Western Europe, Western, Central Europe, Central, and Southern Europe that developed during the Early Middle Ages and continued until its Dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire, dissolution i ...

and the

Spanish Empire The Spanish Empire ( es, link=no, Imperio español), also known as the Hispanic Monarchy ( es, link=no, Monarquía Hispánica) or the Catholic Monarchy ( es, link=no, Monarquía Católica) was a colonial empire governed by Spain and its prede ...

Charles V Charles V may refer to: * Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor (1500–1558) * Charles V of Naples (1661–1700), better known as Charles II of Spain * Charles V of France (1338–1380), called the Wise * Charles V, Duke of Lorraine (1643–1690) * Infan ...

. In keeping with the power previously given by the papacy to his predecessor, Ferdinand II, the bull conceded to Charles V the power of

patronage Patronage is the support, encouragement, privilege, or financial aid that an organization or individual bestows on another. In the history of art, arts patronage refers to the support that kings, popes, and the wealthy have provided to artists su ...

in the newly discovered lands in the Americas; this confirmed the ecclesiastical and territorial rights of Spain, including the jurisdiction to decide ecclesiastical lawsuits and the ability to name officials to

canonries Canon ( el, κανονικός, translit=kanonikós) is a Christian title usually used to refer to a member of certain bodies in subject to an canon law, ecclesiastical rule. Originally, a canon was a cleric living with others in a clergy house o ...

prebends A prebendary is a member of the Roman Catholic or Anglican clergy, a form of canon with a role in the administration of a cathedral or collegiate church. When attending services, prebendaries sit in particular seats, usually at the back of the ...

, and parsonships.

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''Intra Arcana'' was intended to be a grant of permissions and privileges to Emperor Charles V and the Spanish Empire, which included patronage power over their lands in the

Americas The Americas, which are sometimes collectively called America, are a landmass comprising the totality of North and South America. The Americas make up most of the land in Earth's Western Hemisphere and comprise the New World. Along with th ...

. Accordingly, there are mentions in the bull of bringing these peoples to the knowledge of the Christian God, as well as permission to govern the new territory with the use of arms, if necessary: This portion of the text appears to put Clement VII at odds with other leading Catholic thinkers of the age, who emphasized protection of the Indians, especially

Pope Paul III Pope Paul III ( la, Paulus III; it, Paolo III; 29 February 1468 – 10 November 1549), born Alessandro Farnese, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 13 October 1534 to his death in November 1549. He came to ...

. This has led to criticism that Clement VII and the

Catholic Church The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...

supported a militaristic means of conversion. However, by confirming the emperor's power to compel the Indians with edicts, admonitions, forces, and arms, Intra Arcana supported the emperor's political rights as well as his rights of conquest and colonization. Intra Arcana indicates that the emperor's compulsory powers were to be used to bring about the salvation of souls. This does not imply that conversions were to be forced, which was forbidden by

Canon Law Canon law (from grc, κανών, , a 'straight measuring rod, ruler') is a set of ordinances and regulations made by ecclesiastical authority (church leadership) for the government of a Christian organization or church and its members. It is th ...

. In addition, Clement VII also granted Charles V the authority to recruit priests and other religious to the Spanish colonies. If these priests and religious decided to accept the nominations given by Charles V to these roles in the Americas, the Pope would then absolve any excommunication, suspension, interdict, or other ecclesiastical censure incurred by said priest or religious.

References

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External links

Latin Text of Intra Arcana
begins at p. 76)
English translation of Intra Arcana
16th-century papal bulls 1529 in Christianity Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor

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