Lopes Rocha (João Francisco)
Biography of Dr João Francisco Lopes Rocha (1747–1819), Funchal-born canon lawyer and priest who became dean of Funchal Cathedral and several times governed the diocese. He was persecuted by Bishop D. José da Costa Torres as a former freemason, and his 1793 letter of complaint was later published in London.
He was the son of António Lopes Rocha and Dona Vitória Maria Rocha, and was born in the parish (freguesia) of the Sé in this city on 18 July 1747. He graduated in canon law at the University of Coimbra (Universidade de Coimbra) in 1770 and was ordained priest in the same year. By a royal letter (carta régia) of 30 July 1775 he was presented as parish priest of the parish of Santa Maria Maior (‘St Mary Major’), and some years later he was appointed canon of our Cathedral (Sé Catedral), in whose chapter he later held the offices of archdeacon and dean. More than once he served as governor of the diocese (governador do bispado, administering the see in the bishop's absence). Thanks to his learning and great influence, he enjoyed the highest prestige here in Madeira and was held in great esteem by all social classes of this land. He came into conflict with the diocesan prelate Dom José da Costa Torres, above all at the time of the persecution directed against the secret societies of which Lopes Rocha had been a member (see Freemasonry). He then wrote a long letter to the Minister of State José Seabra da Silva, complaining of the persecutions of which he was the victim. Regardless of whatever justice may have been on his side, the letter is a document that reveals in its author a great independence of character, uncommon learning and a remarkable beauty and correctness of style. Written in 1793, this letter was published in London in the July 1820 issue of the Campeão Portuguez, some time after its author’s death, and filled about forty pages of that review.
Dr João Francisco Lopes Rocha died in this city on 8 May 1819, at the age of 71.
In this article
Time
Years mentioned · 06-
João Francisco Lopes Rocha was born in the Sé parish of Funchal.
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João Francisco Lopes Rocha graduated in canon law at Coimbra and was ordained priest.
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A royal letter appointed João Francisco Lopes Rocha parish priest of Santa Maria Maior.
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Dean João Francisco Lopes Rocha wrote to minister José de Seabra da Silva complaining of his persecution and continued suspension as a former freemason.
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João Francisco Lopes Rocha died in Funchal aged 71.
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João Francisco Lopes Rocha's 1793 letter was published in the London review Campeão Portuguez.
Place
Places mentioned · 05
Abroad
- Funchal Cathedral (the Sé)
Funchal. Cathedral whose chapter he served as canon, archdeacon and dean.
The Sé do Funchal is the cathedral of Funchal, in the parish of Sé. It was begun in 1493, became a parish seat in 1508 and a cathedral in 1514. It was the starting point of processions and the place of the vow to São Tiago, and bishops are buried there.
- London
United Kingdom. City where his letter was published in 1820.
The British capital, the place of publication of many English works on Madeira, including those of the du Canes, Embleton and Bloxam. Mason compared its humidity with Funchal's, and artillery for the Fortress of São Tiago came from there. It hosted the 1909 applied chemistry congress.
- Santa Maria Maior
Funchal. Funchal parish of which he was appointed parish priest in 1775.
A partly urban parish in the eastern part of Funchal, the oldest of the archipelago, also known as Nossa Senhora do Calhau or Socorro. Its church is the former St James church, and it is noted for embroiderers producing the finest work. It became a julgado of the Funchal comarca in 1927.
- Sé
Funchal. Parish of Funchal where Lopes Rocha was born.
The Sé is the central urban parish of Funchal, lying wholly within the city, split from Santa Maria Maior in 1557 and seated in the cathedral; it is the city's commercial, administrative and official heart. The Elucidário records its churches, notable buildings, judicial role as starting point of the eastern comarca, and several notable people born there, and notes that the Bugio belongs to it administratively.
- University of Coimbra
Portugal. University where he graduated in canon law in 1770.
The University of Coimbra, in mainland Portugal, was supported by Madeira through tithes and attended by many Madeirans. Several of them graduated there, mostly in law, and others, such as António da Gama and Vitúrio Lopes Rocha, also taught there. Júlio Augusto Henriques held its chair of botany.
People
People mentioned · 05- João Francisco Lopes Rocha1747–1819
Funchal priest and canon lawyer, dean of the cathedral and several times governor of the diocese, persecuted as a former freemason.
- D. José da Costa Torresb. 1741
Bishop of Funchal who clashed with Lopes Rocha during the persecution of secret societies.
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Portuguese Minister of State to whom Lopes Rocha wrote his 1793 letter of complaint.
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Father of João Francisco Lopes Rocha.
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Mother of João Francisco Lopes Rocha.