The "Omnimoda" Controversy
Extract from the book by Fr. Cosme Jose Costa sfx "A Missiological Conflict Between Padroado And Propaganda In The East"
[Citations from the Sacra Congregatio Propagandae Fidei; Op cit Acta CP Vol X (1634-35); S. C. P. F.:Memoria Rerum VolI/I]
The Religious were acting a little independently of the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith (Propaganda Fide) on the basis of a certain Bull Omnimoda that they were quoting and was unknown to the Congregation, nor could the regulars produce a copy thereof. Finally a copy was found in a convent of St. Francis in Seville, Spain, in 1629.
This Bull in favour of the Emperor Charles V was given by Pope Adrian VI. It begins with the words "Exponi nobis Fecisti", granting "Omnimodam auctoritatem nostram", hence the name Omnimoda.
The Bull is a kind of complement to the Bull of 1493 of Pope Alexander VI.
This Bull granted to the Religious in the missions, apostolic powers and faculties as belonged to the Apostolic See...
The Bull was an occasion for many conflicts between the Religious Orders and Bishops.
Msgr. Ingoli, the Secretary of Propaganda, stated that, according to the demarcation line (Tratado de Tordesilhas), the Bull could not be applied to the territories within the jurisdiction of Portugal, since it was given to Spain. These two Kingdoms, though (at that time) ruled by the same King, were entirely separate. He declared also that this Bull could not be extended to India. In India there are now many Bishops and there is no reason why the Superiors of the Religious Orders should claim special privileges or episcopal rights [Emphasis not by original author].
Also the activity of religious in East India has not always been commendable. Therefore the Holy See has to scrutinize the fitness of missionaries. This scrutinization is not the exclusive right of the Superior that was being claimed on account of the Bull Omnimoda.
The Bull Omnimoda of Pope Adrian VI clearly mentioned that these privileges were given only temporarily: "donec per Sedem Apostolicam aliud fuerit ordinatum." But once power is given to somebody even temporarily, it is very difficult to curtail it or recover it later...
On 3rd April 1628 a Committee of experts suggested among other things that