Springfield
Silver Member
The Jesuits were already counterattacking the spread of the protestant denomination in Europe. That was one of their many fronts.
Their foray into the New World (meaning all of the Americas, and not just Mexico) was most likely a comforting image to the church authorities in that while it saw its position weakening in the European court of opinion, it was gaining strength elsewhere, as well as a foothold. And as Roy said, it also didn't hurt that the foray also helped to fill up the war chest for the fight against the spread of protestant reformation and to try to keep the age of enlightenment in check.
The Jesuits, being the geniuses that they were, took perfect advantage of that...
All militant-political bodies seize power by dominating weaker people and controlling their assets, using intimidation in various forms. Wash, rinse, repeat. The SJ were a competent band of 'useful idiots' unleashed during the late Renaissance to help shore up the Big Scam. Yeah, harvesting easy money from the New World would be at the top of their short list of things to do.