Nolo episcopari. Las batallas jurídicas de Valentín Ortigosa (1784-1856)

Abstract

Valentín Ortigosa, born in 1784 in Arriate (Málaga), emigrated to Mexico in 1803, where he was ordained a priest. He returned to Spain in 1810. His biography will reflect the events that took place in those years of the 19th century in which he lived, especially the problems that arose in the relations between Rome and Madrid as the representative system was being established. Although he would never occupy a relevant public position, Ortigosa moved in the circle of Agustín Argüelles, or José María de Calatrava; he enjoyed the favor of the queen governor María Cristina and his political opinions, especially in relation to the independence of the American countries, found echo in the press. Presented by the Regent to be bishop of Malaga in 1836, being suspended in fact the relations between the crown of Spain and Rome, his designation was not confirmed, but he was named capitular vicar and this allowed him to rule the Diocese without having been consecrated bishop; he became one of the "intrusive bishops". Due to denunciations of the Chapter of Malaga, a case was opened against him before the Tribunal of the Archbishopric of Seville. Later the appeal of force that Ortigosa raised before the Audience of Seville, and its execution by the Supreme Court ended up giving rise to the rupture of the relationship with the Holy See with the closing of the Nunciature of Madrid in January of 1841. This case and its repercussions are studied in detail in this book, both from the juridical, civil and canonical point of view, as well as from the political point of view. The documentation collected from newspaper archives and from numerous archives, both Spanish and Roman, has made it possible to analyze the consequences of the question of the so-called "intruders" starting from the case of Valentín Ortigosa, a character whose notoriety in these years contrasts with the oblivion of his name after disappearing from public life in 1843.