«Ovelhas de tão pouca lã» : a transformação das aldeias indígenas em paróquias no período pombalino (Bahia, 1758)

Resumo

This paper discusses the transformation process of the Indian villages (called «aldeias») into parishes, in the Archdiocese of Bahia, from the new guidelines issued in the Pombaline period concerning indigenous and colonial policy. This process occurred in the last months of the year 1758 driven by a special tribunal of the «Mesa da Consciência e Ordens», introduced in Bahia, chaired by the diocesan prelate and attended by three royal ministers from Lisbon. The replacement of the Jesuits by priests contributed to a greater involvement of the secular clergy with indigenous issues in Brazil.