Episcopal normativities in La Plata: the constitutions of Bishop Alonso Ramírez de Vergara, 1597

Abstract

This paper analyses the episcopal normativities that regulated the government of the cathedral church of La Plata. In this way, we analyse the Ejecutoria de Erección de la Catedral of 1553 and the Constitutions of the cathedral church of 1597. Both express the legislative power of the bishops and the loss of autonomy experienced by the cathedral chapters. It also provides an insight into the production of normative knowledge in ecclesiastical institutions. The Constitutions of 1597 were based on the ordinary jurisdiction of the bishop and the delegated jurisdiction of information and visitation, as well as on the power granted to him by the Erection of 1553 to amend, extend and interpret the chapters. In addition, a modernised literal palaeographic transcription of the Constitutions of 1597 is given.