Retrato de Frei Inácio de São Caetano
Autor: Desconhecido
Centro de Fabrico: Portugal
Data: Século XVIII
Material: Óleo sobre tela
Dimensões (cm): Larg. 106,4; alt. 85,4
Proprietário: Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga
N.º de Inventário: MNAA926
Inácio de Caetano was a priest, theologian and Portuguese Grand Inquisitor. He adopted the name Inácio for he was born on the day of Saint Ignatius of Loyola; and the name Caetano because he was baptized on the day of Saint Cajetan of Thiene, founder of the Theatines.
In 1732, he enlisted the Infantry Regiment of Chaves (Portugal). However, as he had more vocation for studies than for weapons, he fled to Spain, from where he returned in 1734 with the intention of entering a Carmelite Convent.
In 1735 – still a teenager – he joined the Nossa Senhora dos Remédios Convent (Lisboa) and, a year later, he became a Discalced Carmelite Friar. He then attended the colleges of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (Évora) and of São José (Coimbra), where he studied Philosophy and Theology, respectively.
In 1743, he was ordained a priest. Two years later, he went to the College of São Caetano (Braga), where he taught Scripture and, later, Theology. In 1754, he was appointed Prior of the College of Braga, becoming Prior of the Convent of Carnide (Lisboa), in 1757.
In 1759, he was appointed confessor to the future queen Maria I. In 1768, he was appointed, by the Marquis of Pombal, royal censor of the Real Mesa Censória (an institution created with the aim of transferring from the Church to the State the supervision of works that were intended to be published or disseminated in the Kingdom).
In 1770, he was appointed Bishop of Penafiel, confirmed by a Bull of Clement XIV. However, he continued to live in Lisboa at the behest of the Infanta Maria. According to some historians, despite his desire to move to Penafiel, he was prevented by the future queen, who was averse to his absence from Court has her confidant and spiritual guide.
He published several works: in 1761 and 1762, respectively, “Portugal Agradecido” (Grateful Portugal) and “Gratidão Desempenhada” (Gratitude Fulfilled), sermons preached by him on feast days of the Court; in 1772, the work “Ideia dum Perfeito Pároco” (“Idea of a Perfect Priest”); in 1773, he published a critical and apologetic dissertation on the authenticity of the first Council of Braga in 411 AD; in 1785 he published the 2nd edition of the work “Ideia dum Perfeito Pároco” in 5 volumes; in 1776, he published “Compêndio de Teologia Moral Evangélica” (Compendium of Evangelical Moral Theology) in 6 volumes – to train worthy ministers for the Sacrament of Penance.
In 1778, he resigned from the Bishopric of Penafiel and, later, was appointed Archbishop of Thessaloniki, an honorary title. In 1787, he was appointed Grand Inquisitor and then Minister Assistant to the Dispatch, thus gaining great powers in the court.
He died in 1788 and was buried in the Convent of Carnide. His death is subject of discussion in face of a hypothetical assassination attempt with sandbags. He may have succumbed to the injuries inflicted. However, the most realistic version suggests that he died of an apoplectic attack. In 1790, his remains were transferred to the Estrela Basilica (Lisboa).
