PF minutes, 1647-01-28, Rome
Tunis
Slave priests
Conversion
Renegades
Minutes of PF general meeting discussing, among other issues, a letter from Julien Guérin: a) asking for faculty to grant dispensation to marry for a couple formerly converted to the Muslim faith but currently living according to Christian principles; b) what to do about other converts who live like Christians; and c) how to handle slave priests who celebrate mass twice a day "out of avarice, rather than out of necessity." PF decided to forward all three questions to the pope.
Additional comments
PF
APF ACTA 17, 315v, 320v-321r, issue 10
1647-01-28
In response to: APF SOCG 64, 258r-v, 271v (database item 130).
For other complaints about slave priests saying mass twice a day and corrupting local Christians, together with requests for missionaries, sent from Tunis from 1645 onwards, see: PF SOCG 108, 273r ff (not in this database).
Original registry entry; Latin
Latin
Minutes
122
Origin: Rome
Destination:
Letter from Boniface Nouelly to the PF secretary [Francesco Ingoli], 1647-06-20, Algiers
Algiers
Slaves (Christian & Muslim)
Franciscans
Letter from Boniface Nouelly in Algiers regarding a priest from the Order of Friars Minor (Brother Angelo d'Alteta, from the Province of Ancona), who at the time was owned by a Maur who wanted to exchange him for one of his own relatives, who in turn was a slave on one of the pope's galleys. PF note indicates that no decision was reached and no response sent.
Additional comments
Boniface Nouelly
APF SOCG 64, 261r, 264r-264v
1647-06-20
Addressed to [Francesco Ingoli]
See also: APF SOCG 64, 262r-263r, 263v (database item 133).
Original; signed, dated; Italian
Italian
Letter
132
Origin: Algiers
Destination: [Rome]
Letters from Jean Le Vacher to [Thomas Berthe], 1655-04-10 and 1655-04-17, Tunis
Tunis
Petitions for faculties
Slaves (Christian & Muslim)
Civitavecchia
Non-Catholic Christians
Two letters from Jean Le Vacher, most probably to the superior of CM house in Rome. He asks him to obtain the following from PF: a) the renewal of his faculties of vicar apostolic; b) the faculty to administer the sacrament of confirmation be included; c) all the books in Arabic that PF normally gives to those who go on missions in partibus infidelium, especially the Holy Scripture; and d) a letter from the slaves in Civitavecchia, which would testify that they had not been treated badly, in order to rectify the trouble that they had brought to the Christians in Tuni,s due to their earlier complaints to the Dey of Tunis. In the second letter he writes that the English have come with 18 warships to demand all the English slaves, but the Dey refused, so in retaliation, the English burned all Tunisian ships which were in Port Farine, and threaten to destroy more if their requests go un-answered. Le Vacher also asks for copies of the Koran, the Torah, and the Gospels in Arab and Latin (if they are available in Rome). Lastly, he asks for specific indulgences. The letters signed and dated 10 and 17 April 1655.
Date received 1655-05-15
Additional comments
Since the letter is in French it is probably not written to PF, because Le Vacher would usually use Italian for that purpose. It is also known that Le Vacher sometimes used Berthe to send letters to Rome. See also: APF SOCG 248, 298r (database item 448).
Jean Le Vacher
APF SOCG 248, 299r-v, 301r
1655-04-10 and 1655-04-17
Addressed to [Thomas Berthe]
French
Letter
449
Origin: Tunis
Destination: Rome
PF minutes, 1655-07-12, Rome
Tunis
Slaves (Christian & Muslim)
Civitavecchia
Minutes of PF general meeting of 12 July 1655 discussing among other matters, a petition by Jean Le Vacher (CM priest and vicar apostolic in Tunis). He asks that PF exercise its authority and request that the land which Muslim slaves in Civitavecchia had acquired in order to bury their dead, be given back to them. This is to prevent the ruler of Tunis depriving the Christians in the city, of their own place of burial. The cardinals decide that PF secretary should discuss this matter with the general treasurer of the pope.
Additional comments
PF
APF ACTA 24, 35r, 38r-v, issue 10
1655-07-12
See for the petition: APF SOCG 248, 257r, 296v (database item 440).
Latin
Minutes
527
Origin: Rome
Destination:
Petition on behalf of Jean Le Vacher to PF, [1655]
Tunis
CM petitions
Slaves (Christian & Muslim)
Civitavecchia
Slave priests
Petition on behalf of Jean Le Vacher, vicar apostolic in Tunis to PF. He writes that the [Muslim] slaves in Civitavecchia have sent their complaints to the ruler of Tunis, stating that the land they had bought to bury their dead, has been taken from them. Le Vacher heard that the ruler of Tunis summoned all Christian priests and Christians present in the city, and told them that were the situation in Civitavecchia to remain unchanged, the Christian cemetery in Tunis would be destroyed. Jean Le Vacher therefore asks that the cardinals remedy this problem, and have the slaves in Civitavecchia write to Tunis. In their general meeting of 12 July 1655, the cardinals decide to ask the general treasurer to provide more information about the matter.
Date discussed 1655-07-12
Additional comments
Jean Le Vacher
APF SOCG 248, 257r, 296v
[1655]
Addressed to PF
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 24, 35r, 38r-v, issue 10 (database item 527).
Italian
Latin
Petition
440
Origin: [Tunis]
Destination: Rome
Petition on behalf of Philippe Le Vacher to PF, [1655]
Algiers
CM petitions
Renegades
Other religious orders
Petition on behalf of Philippe Le Vacher, vicar apostolic in Algiers, to PF. He asks for a safe-conduct for the former Discalced Augustine Cherubino Della Vergine Maria, a renegade who wants to return to the Catholic faith. For this he needs to travel to a Christian country, as it would be too dangerous for him to convert to Catholism before leaving Algiers, as he is known there to be a Muslim. He therefore asks that this un-usual condition not to be mentioned in his safe-conduct; he also asks for there not to be a time limit. The cardinals of PF discussed this issue during their general meeting of 5 October 1655, and decided to pass the issue on to the Holy Office.
Date discussed 1655-10-05
Additional comments
Philippe Le Vacher
APF SOCG 248, 178r,183v
[1655]
Addressed to PF
Italian
Latin
Petition
432
Origin: [Algiers]
Destination: Rome
PF minutes, 1659-09-25, Rome
Tunis
Slaves (Christian & Muslim)
Conversion
Malta
Galleys
Minutes of PF general meeting of 25 September 1659 discussing among other issues, complaints from the Christian slaves in Tunis, who say that the Muslim slaves (who live on the pope's galleys or lands, as well as those held on Malta), have reported to the divan in Tunis that they were forced to convert to Christianity. In response, the authorities in Tunis threaten to force the Christian slaves in their city to convert to Islam; the Christian slaves in Tunis ask that a solution be found. The vicar apostolic of Tunis [Jean Le Vacher] says that the complaints stem from the fact that in Malta, the Muslim slaves are forced to listen to catechesis on Sundays and on feast days, and if one of the slaves becomes ill, he is handed over to a Christian in order to be converted. According to the apostolic vicar, the ruler of Tunis was ready to retaliate by submitting the Christian slaves to similar treatment; only Le Vacher's promise that he would change the situation in Malta and on the papal lands, convinced him to stop. The vicar suggests that it would be wise to moderate the zeal of the Maltese, because "what is accomplished in Malta by means of persuasion, in Tunis will be done by means of beatings." The cardinals do not make any decision on the matter.
Additional comments
PF
APF ACTA 28, 166r, 167r-v, issue 2
1659-09-25
See for the letter discussed during this meeting: APF SOCG 254, 8r, 11v (database item 379).
Latin
Italian
Minutes
483
Origin: Rome
Destination:
Letter from two slaves in Tunis to PF, [1659]
Tunis
Slaves (Christian & Muslim)
Conversion
Malta
Letter from two slaves in Tunis, Pauolo Cortarzo and Gio' Tomaso Cocchi (both from Rome), which states that some Turks (who are slaves in the domain of the pope in Malta) have written to Tunis that they have been forced to covert to Christianity. Now the authorities in Tunis threaten to treat the Christian slaves similarly, by forcing them to convert to Islam, which would cause a great loss of souls. They therefore ask for a remedy. The notes on the back of the document mention that the vicar apostolic [Jean Le Vacher] writes that the accusations are based on the actions of the Inquisitor of Malta, who organizes Christian sermons among the Muslims every Sunday, and sends them only Christian assistance in case of illness. The letter was discussed by PF on 25 September 1659.
Date discussed 1559-09-25
Additional comments
Paolo Cortarzo
Giovanni Tomaso Cocchi
APF SOCG 254, 8r, 11v
[1659]
Addressed to PF
See for the minutes of the meeting during which this letter was discussed: APF ACTA 28, 166r, 167r-v, (database item 483).
Italian
Letter
379
Origin: Tunis
Destination: Rome
Letter from PF to, Andrea Grella, a slave in Tunis, Rome, 1662-06-12
Ransom
Slaves (Christian & Muslim)
Slave priests
Tunis
Letter from PF to Andrea Grella, a slave in Tunis. PF regrets the difficult situation that Andrea Grella (and the other slaves), find themselves in. New pains have also been added to Grella, of which he is not to blame; one example is the money that the Bey wants to be restored from the Maltese captains [Vincenzo Piccinini and Francesco and Giuseppe Guevara]. Fortunately the money has been retrieved in Rome, and the Maltese admitted to having the money, and returned it without any problems. They apologized for not going to Messina (as had been originally planned), and for not knowing that the slave (for whose freedom the money should have been used), had already been freed. Therefore it should be made clear to the Bey that the money is ready for collection, and that he should send someone to retrieve it. PF does not want to risk sending it themselves. PF also wants to make clear that the money had not been returned because of the threats made by the Bey; his threats were very well known, and have hurt the poor slaves staying in Barbary. PF also does not want to react in the same way to similar cases, that are often very frequent within the Turkish dominion; the situation was amended as it happened to take place in Rome, and the authorities of the city decided to impose justice. They hope that this will inspire the Bey and other Turkish officials to give justice themselves, for the Christians in their regions.
Additional comments
PF
APF Lettere 43, 29r-30v
1662-06-12
Adressed to Andrea Grella
For the letter of Andrea Grella to PF, see: APF SOCG 254, 44r-48v (database item 382).
copy; unsigned
Italian
Letter
818
Origin:[Rome]
Destination: Tunis
Two letters from a slave in Tunis to PF, 1663-02-14 and 1663-02-24, Tunis
Tunis
Slaves (Christian & Muslim)
Ransom
Two letters from Giovanni Andrea Grella, slave in Tunis, to PF which are very similar in content. Grella sent two letters due to fears that his first one (of which he also had sent a duplicate) would not arrive. He explains that they did not tell the Dey of Tunis that the money that he had promised for the ransoming of a slave had been recovered by PF, because otherwise the Christians in Tunis might be mistreated. The Dey is already threatening to imprison the vicar apostolic [Jean Le Vacher], and will compensate his monetary loss through the siezing of any non-English merchant ship, or any alms that arrive in the city. Grella therefore asks that PF puts the sum of 1,000 pezze in the hands of a trusted person (or the superior of CM in Rome), so that whenever it is needed, the governor could send certifying proof and compensation for the damage. Grella also asks PF to write to the Duchess of Mondragone and ask her to release one of her slaves, called Agrimut. The price for Grella's own freedom is 700 pezze, an amount he owes, but his master does not want to free anyone if Agrimut does not return. A summary follows on f. 48r-v, which shows that PF secretary believes the Maltese [Giuseppe and Francesco Guevara] do not have any right to the money.
Date discussed 1663-07-03
Additional comments
Giovanni Andrea Grella
APF SOCG 254, 44r-48v
1663-02-14 and 1663-02-24
Addressed to PF
See for the discussion of this petition: APF ACTA 32, 152r, 156v-157v (database item 382).
These letters were discussed together with a petition of Jean Le Vacher: APF SOCG 254, 39r-v, 40v (database item 381).
Italian
Latin
Letter
382
Origin: Tunis
Destination: Rome
Petition on behalf of Jean Le Vacher to PF [1663]
Tunis
Slaves (Christian & Muslim)
Ransom
Malta
Petition on behalf of Jean Le Vacher to PF. He explains that Giuseppe Guevara and Serafino and Vincenzo Piccinini, all from Malta, have left with 1,000 pezze, which they received from the governor of Tunis in order to ransom a slave. Since they did not keep their word, the governor became angry and forced all priests in Tunis to write to the pope about the matter. PF in response to this, assured the governor that the 1,000 pezze was kept in the Sacro Monte della Pietà at his disposal. Now, however, the Maltese are claiming the money back. Jean Le Vacher writes that if they were to receive the money, it would be very dangerous for him and the other Christians present in Tunis, since PF already wrote two letters in which it was stated that the money was being kept at the disposal of the governor of Tunis; he therefore asks PF not to allow that the money be given to the Maltese. Petition discussed by PF on 3 July 1663; the PF decision on f. 49v shows that the cardinals decided to withhold the money from the Maltese.
Date discussed 1663-07-03
Additional comments
Jean Le Vacher
APF SOCG 254, 39r-v, 40v, 49v
[1663]
Addressed to PF
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 32, 152r, 156v-157v (same information; not in this database).
It was discussed together with: APF SOCG 254, 44r-48v, 49v (database item 382).
Italian
Latin
Petition
381
Origin: [Tunis]
Destination: Rome
Letter from Jean Le Vacher to PF, 1664-03-13, Tunis
Tunis
Mission reports
Slaves (Christian & Muslim)
Ransom
Extensive report by Jean Le Vacher on the situation in Tunis, which lists his missionary work, the behavior of other priests, and the case of several Maltese [Vincenzo Piccinini and Giuseppe and Francesco Guerara] who took 1000 pezze from the Dey, which he had destined for the redemption of a slave in Messina. He moreover reports that there are no priests left in Tripoli. At PF general meeting of 30 June 1664, the cardinals decided that Le Vacher should be asked for more information about the Dey's money; that CM superior [René Alméras] should be asked whether new missionaries would be available for this mission; and lastly that Le Vacher should order the priests that they abstain from usury and commercial activities, on the pain of interdiction to say mass.
Date discussed 1664-06-30
Additional comments
Jean Le Vacher
APF SOCG 254, 65r-v, 67r-v
1664-03-13
Addressed to PF
The draft of a letter answering this letter of Jean Le Vacher can be found on: APF SOCG 254, 66r (database item 385).
Italian
Latin
Letter
384
Origin: Tunis
Destination: Rome
Letter from PF to Jean Le Vacher, 1664-06-30
Tunis
Slave priests
Slaves (Christian & Muslim)
Ransom
Draft of a letter from PF to Jean Le Vacher, vicar apostolic in Tunis. The letter mentions that the cardinals are glad to hear about Le Vacher's zeal and piety. They want to know more about the claims of the Dey of Tunis, and the money that he gave to two Maltese. They also tell him to order misbehaving slave priests to abstain from usury.
Additional comments
PF
APF SOCG 254, 66r
1664-06-30
Addressed to Jean Le Vacher
The letter to which this letter responds can be found on: APF SOCG 254, 65r-v, 67r-v (database item 384).
Italian
Letter
385
Origin: Rome
Destination: [Tunis]
Petition on behalf of Giuseppe Guevara to PF, [1665]
Tunis
Renegades
Ransom
Slaves (Muslim)
Petition on behalf of Giuseppe Guevara in which he asks that the money he left at the Monte di Pietà (on the orders of PF), which was to be kept for the Dey of Tunis [the Dey claimed that Guevara had stolen it from him], be given back, now that four years have gone by without anyone asking for it. The petition includes two documents. The first one is a decree issued by PF on 17 November 1664 attesting that he could have the money, but that he should invest it in the Monti Camerali; the petitions state that Guevara has done so. The second attached file is a testimony by two witnesses who attest that the Dey who claimed ownership of this money has died.
Date discussed 1665-11-23
Additional comments
At PF discussion of 23 November 1665 the cardinals decided to ask the vicar of Tunis (Jean Le Vacher) for more information.
Giuseppe Guevara
APF SOCG 254, 77r-v, 78r-v, 79r-80v
[1665]
Addressed to PF
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 34, 242r-v.
Italian
Latin
Petition
387
Origin: unknown
Destination: Rome
Letter from Jean Le Vacher to the PF secretary [Mario Alberizzi], 1666-04-23, Tunis
Tunis
Slaves (Christian & Muslim)
Ransom
Renegades
Letter from Jean Le Vacher to Mario Alberizzi, in which he explains what happened with the sum of 1,000 pezze that is in the possession of PF, and also claimed by "some Maltese in Rome." He writes that this sum was given by the late Dey to Giuseppe Guevara, a renegade, for the purpose of ransoming a slave in Messina (Sicily). Shortly after he received this money, Guevara fled together with Francesco Guevara, Serafino and Vicenzo Piccinini, their families and some other renegades, and they went to Rome. On hearing this, the Dey called all priests and the most important Christian slaves, and ordered them to write to the pope that his money should be given back to him; the Dey threatened to otherwise have it paid by the free and enslaved Christians in Tunis. The pope ordered that this money be held for the Dey, who continued to claim it up until his death; after his death the Divan took over his claim. Le Vacher advises not to give the money to anyone without a clear receipt, in case the Tunisian authorities attempt to extract it from the local Christians, be they free or enslaved. Le Vacher also mentions that Francesco Guevara threatened him many times in order to force him to write to PF in support of Guevara's request for money. Le Vacher advises to spend part of it for the redemption of Vincenzo Piccinini, a brother of Giuseppe Guevara who is abused, because he helped the Guevara brothers escape. The letter dated 23 April 1666.
Additional comments
Jean Le Vacher
APF SOCG 254, 137r-138r
1666-04-23
Addressed to PF
This is a response to a letter from Jean Le Vacher to PF, see: APF Lettere 51, 17r (database item 845).
Italian
Letter
396
Origin: Tunis
Destination: [Rome]
Petition on behalf of Francesco Guevara to PF, [1666]
Tunis
Slaves (Christian & Muslim)
Ransom
Civitavecchia
Petition on behalf of Francesco Guevara asking for 1,000 pezze, that he deems to be his legitimate property, especially now that the Dey and his heirs have passed away. He states that after he arrived with Giuseppe Guevara, and Serafino and Vincenzo Piccinini in Civitavecchia, on the same ships which contained the goods and money of the Dey, they started fighting over it. The special commission ordered by the pope judged the case in his favor, but the others fled with most of the goods. PF, however, kept the 1,000 pezze on the advice of Jean Le Vacher, who feared that the Dey, out of redemption for a Muslim Slave in Sicily, would take the loss of the money out on Christians in Tunis.
Additional comments
The date of this petition is probably 1666. Late in 1665 Francesco Guevara wrote a letter to Jean Le Vacher. It seems probable that the petition was made a year later. See also: APF SOCG 254, 133r-v, 134v (database item 394).
Francesco Guevara
APF SOCG 254, 135r-v, 136v
[1666]
Addressed to PF
Italian
Petition
395
Origin: unknown
Destination: Rome
Petition on behalf of Giuseppe Guevara to PF, [1666]
Tunis
Slaves (Christian & Muslim)
Ransom
Petition on behalf of Giuseppe Guevara in which he asks that the money that he had been forced to leave at the Monte di Pietà (at the request of PF), be given back to him. PF had ordered him to keep it there, in case the Dey of Tunis, who claimed that he had stolen it from him, would ask for it back (or threaten to take money from innocent slaves instead). The summary that precedes this petition explains the situation in more detail. Jean Le Vacher, vicar apostolic in Tunis, had explained that the Dey did not relent in claiming this money, and that shortly before his death he wanted to claim a certain amount of money from Sicily that was intended for the redemption of [Muslim] slaves. Le Vacher had also written that, although the Dey died without heirs, the Divan, who took all his possessions, would certainly have this money repaid by one of the free Christians in the city (providing they found out about this issue). Le Vacher also added that Francesco Guevara frequently pressured him with threats to write to PF, and support his request for the money. At their general meeting of 30 August 1666, the cardinals decide not to respond to Guevara's request, and to instead invest the interest produced by the money (which had been deposited at the Monte di Pietà), following the dispositions of the PF.
Date discussed 1666-08-30
Additional comments
Giuseppe Guevara
APF SOCG 254, 104r-105r, 106v, 107v
[1666]
Addressed to PF
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 35, 218r, 229v-230v (same information; not in this database).
Italian
Latin
Petition
389
Origin: unknown
Destination: Rome
Letter from Jean Le Vacher to PF, 1668-07-31, Algiers
Algiers
Mission reports
Other religious orders
Slaves (Christian)
Letter from Jean Le Vacher, vicar apostolic in Algiers, to PF. He writes about his travel to Algiers where he arrived on 24 May. He describes the situation in Algiers, that there are 14,000 or 15,000 Christian slaves, among whom there are around 100 women, and 300-400 children under the age of 15. He writes that there are five secular priests and two regulars, who did not all wear the priestly vestments. Upon his arrival he bought appropriate vestments for them and also managed to obtain permission from the Muslim rulers of the city for them to wear the vestments. He writes about the four bagnos that are in the city and the hospitals. Lastly he asks for some indulgences, medals, and crucifixes. The letter was discussed during PF meeting of 13 May 1669. The cardinals decided to answer Jean Le Vacher with a letter expressing their great esteem. The request of indulgences should be forwarded to the Congregation of Indulgences. The medals should be bought and the crucifixes issued, and indulgences should be obtained from the pope.
Date discussed 1669-05-13
Additional comments
Jean Le Vacher
APF SOCG 419, 255r-256r, 262r-v
1668-07-31
Addressed to PF
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 38, 153, 173-4.
Italian
Latin
Letter
Petition
709
Origin: Algiers
Destination: Rome
Letter from Luigi Da Palermo to PF, 1671-04-10, Tunis
Tunis
Ransom
Slaves (Christian & Muslim)
Renegades
Capuchins
Letter from Luigi Da Palermo (apostolic vicar in Tunis), on the case of Vincenzo Piccinini, who in 1661 brought 21 renegades with his ship to Rome. Piccinini also received 1,000 piastres from the Dey of Tunis in order to free a Turkish slave. However, when Picccinini returned to Tunis, he was enslaved himself. During his enslavment in Tunis, the Dey (who orginally gave him the money) and two of his heirs died, therefore they were unable to claim the money. Piccinini wants to use the 1,000 piastres to ransom himself. Luigi Da Palermo also writes about the suffering of the Christian slaves in Tunis, and that in some cases it would be relatively cheap to ransom a slave. He also reports that currently there are 3 priests in Tunis, among whom is Marcello Costa, who has just arrived.
Date discussed: 1671-06-15
Additional comments
Luigi Da Palermo
APF SOCG 428, 14r-v, 16v
1671-04-10
Adressed to PF
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 41 153r, 155r, 156r.
Original; signed
Italian
Latin
Letter
711
Origin: Tunis
Destination: Rome
PF summary on the case of Luigi Da Palermo, [1671 or later]
Capuchins
Tunis
Corsairs
Ransom
Renegades
Slaves (Christian & Muslim)
PF summary on the case of Luigi Da Palermo, a Capuchin who left the mission of Tunis. The summary includes the viewpoint of both the Capuchin commissary of Sicily, Gioseppe d’Ica, and Luigi Da Palermo himself about his work as a missionary, and the reasons why he left Tunis to go to Rome.
Additional comments
PF
APF SOCG 461, 266r-v, 267r-v
[1671 or later]
Italian
Summary
658
Origin: [Rome]
Destination:
Letter from PF to the provicar of Tunis [Luigi Da Palermo?], 1672-07-04, Rome
Tunis
Malta
Slaves (Christian & Muslim)
Copy of a letter from PF to the provicar of Tunis, in answer to a letter from the provicar of 12 March (probably about the treatment of Muslim children in Christianity). PF writes that, were the Christian children in Tunis treated like the Muslim children in Christianity, the violence against them would be much less. The letter states that the provicar's message was also forwarded to the inquisitor of Malta. The letter dated 4 July 1672.
Additional comments
PF
APF LETTERE 59, 36r
1672-07-04
Addressed to the provicar of Tunis [Luigi Da Palermo?]
Italian
Letter
607
Origin: Rome
Destination: Tunis
Letter from Pallavicino to [the PF Prefect, Paluzio Altieri], 1675-05-27, Malta.
Conversion
Malta
Ransom
Slaves (Muslim)
Tunis
Letter from Pallavicino to PF Prefect. There has been some uproar in Barbaria, because of the voluntary conversion of two girls to Christianity. Because of the orders given to him by PF on 14 July 1672, he has informed PF about the situation in a letter dated 24 August. Now the woman (who has been taken slave for the second time), has returned, he has been able to talk to her. After many conversations she was willing to convert herself to Christianity, though she still had to return to Tunis to collect her ransom of 400 "di q'ta m'ta di rame." Whilst she wanted to live with her daughters in Malta but in freedom, Pallavicino is afraid that she will not keep her word.
Date discussed: 1676-02-04
Additional comments
Pallavicino
APF SOCG 457, 227r-v, 229v
1675-05-27
Adressed to [Paluzio Altieri]
See for the earlier letter to the provicar of Tunis: APF LETTERE 59, 36r (database item 607).
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 46, 20r, 24r-25r.
Original
Italian
Letter
793
Origin: Malta
Destination: [Rome]
Summary on the reports from the Barbaria mission, [1675]
Conversion
Malta
Ransom
Slaves (Muslim)
Tunis
Summary of the reports from the Barbaria mission. In July 1672 the provicar of Tunis sent a letter to PF, stating that in Malta two young girls were converted to Christianity. Because they wanted to gather more information, they wrote to the inquisitor who informed them that for ten years there had been a slave in Malta with two daughters, who were all bought by a Maltese. After ten years, the woman ransomed herself and went to Tunis (her home country), to collect money and ransom her children as well. Her daughters converted to Christianity during her absense, which was completely voluntarily. When the mother returned and saw her children had converted, she was very angry. Because of this PF sent a letter dated 19 December to the provicar of Tunis. PF informed him about the situation, and ordered him to make sure that the slaves were well treated, and were not being forced to convert.
The inquisitor stated that the woman (who was taken slave again), wanted to talk with her children, and to follow their example; she wanted the opportunity to travel to Tunis again, in order to collect the ransom of 400 (no currency given), after which she wanted to return to Malta and live their with her daughters.
Date discussed: 1676-02-04
Additional comments
PF
APF SOCG 457, 226r-227v, 229v
[1675]
See for the letter to the provicar of Tunis: APF LETTERE 59, 36r (database item 607).
See for the same summary in the ACTA: APF ACTA 46, 24r-25r.
Original
Italian
Summary
792
Origin: [Rome]
Letter from PF to the inquisitor of Malta, 1676-02-04, Rome
Malta
Conversion
Slaves (Muslim)
Letter from PF to the inquisitor of Malta. In response to his letter of 17 May, which stated that the inquisitor may decide for himself what to do with a (Muslim) mother of two slave girls, who had converted to Catholicism, i.e. whether to let her go back to her own country or keep her in Malta. He is instructed to let PF know his decision. The letter dated 4 February 1676.
Additional comments
PF
APF LETTERE 65, 8v
1676-02-04
Addressed to the inquisitor of Malta
Italian
Letter
627
Origin: Rome
Destination: Malta
Petition on behalf of Trinitarian procurator of Castile, Leon and Navarra, Ferdinando Di Alaba to PF, [1679]
Algiers
CM petitions
Slaves (Christian)
Slave priests
Trinitarians
Petition on behalf of the Trinitarian procurator of Castile, Leon and Navarra, Ferdinando Di Alaba. The Trinitarians have five hospitals in Algiers. Here, the priests do not only take care of the slaves, but they also preach the gospel, celebrate mass, administer the sacraments of Penance, Eucharist (and others), teach the basics of the faith to the children, and they ransom slaves. This mission in Algiers has been going on for more than 70 years, but recently it has been disturbed by a French priest, Gio' Bacher [Jean Le Vacher]. He claims to be vicar apostolic of Carthage and Tunis, but has never shown any document or patent from PF proving this. Le Vacher takes the privileges from the priests, forbids them to administer the sacraments for the slaves, and removed the coat of arms of the Spanish king, the protector and patron of the hospitals, the crosses, and the sign of the Trinitarians from their walls. He also took the Holy sacrament from the churches of the hospitals, as he wants to keep it in his own house, which is full of merchants, Muslims, Jews, Lutherans and other sectarians. The priests who had to get the bread ran the risk of being too late, and being insulted by the unbelievers. Le Vacher also placed sick heretics in the same rooms as Catholics, which is a practice they have never followed. He forbade the slave priests to say mass in the hospitals, and instead made them do it in his house; when they protested, he let their Turkish patrons lock them up. One of the priests from the hospital [Bartolomeo Da Serrano] protested against this, after which he was brought before the Muslim court on the false accusation of trying to create an uprising; this was viewed as a scandal by both the Christians and Moors. Ferdinando asks PF to either give the priests the title and faculties of vicar apostlic in the hospitals, so that they will no longer be subject to the jurisdiction of Le Vacher.
Date discussed: 1679-09-11
Additional comments
There is also a different version of this document from the same ACTA: APF ACTA 475, 100r-v, 121v.This one ends slightly differently: "del d’o Gio’ le Vacher, ò pur’/ ordinar’ al med’mo che non s’entrometta in cos’alcuna circa l’am/ministratione delli d’i Hospedali, ne sopra le persone esistenti in/ essi, ma ne lasci la cura alli d’i Amministratori, ò quello che pare/rà all’EE.VV. Quas Deus etc. "
Ferdinando Di Alaba
APF SOCG 475, 99r, 122v
[1679]
Adressed to PF
In this ACTA there are two versions of this file, for the other, see: APF ACTA 475, 100r-v, 121v.
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 49, 205r, 214r-218v, issue 18 (database item 681).
Original
Italian
Petition
799
Origin: unknown
Destination: [Rome]
Statement by Ferdinando Di Alaba, [1679]
Algiers
Ransom
Slaves (Christian)
Statement by Ferdinando Di Alaba, procurator of the provinces of Castile, Leon, and Navarra, of the order of the Discalced Trinitarians. Di Alaba informs them that the Trintarians have five hospitals in Algiers. The priests of this order take care of the slaves, and administer the spiritual bread, preach the gospel, celebrate mass, and administer the sacraments of penance and more. They teach the basics of the faith to the children, and with the revenue of the order, they ransom slaves. These priests have worked for the slaves for over 70 years. Recently however a French priest arrived in Algiers, named Gio' leVacher [Jean Le Vacher], as vicar apostolic, without ever wanting to prove this title with papers. He prohibits the priests of the order to use their privileges, and to administer the sacraments to the slaves. He also took the coat of arms of the Spanish king (the protector and benefactor of these hospitals), the crosses, the sign of the Trintarians, and also the Holy sacrament from the hospitals. They had always been very secure, however Le Vacher has since brought it into his house, which is filled with merchants, Muslims, Jews, Lutherans, and other sectarians. As result, the pix with five consecrated wafers got stolen, which puts the sick in danger of dying without their viaticum. The priests who carried the wafers, were also insulted by the infidels. Le Vacher introduced the sick heretics in the same rooms as the Catholics. He wanted the masses to be held in his house too. When the priests refused, he had them detained by their Turkish masters. One of the administrators protested, and was consequently incarcerated and castigated with chains by the Muslim tribune on false pretenses. These cases were brought to court by the nuncio to Spain at PF. They ask PF to give one of the administrators the title and faculties of vicar apostolic.
Additional comments
The date is based on the fact that it is known that this case was discussed in 1679, see: APF SOCG 475, 93r-98r, 124v (database item 798).
[Ferdinando Di Alaba]
APF SC Barbaria 1, 441r-443r
[1679]
Adressed to [PF]
copy; unsigned
Italian
Latin
Statement
892
Origin: unknown
Destination: [Rome]
Summary on the mission in Barbaria, [1679], [Rome]
Algiers
Conversion
Corsairs
Non-Catholic Christians
Ransom
Slaves (Christian)
Trinitarians
Summary on the mission in Barbaria. Trinitarian Procurator Ferdinando Di Alaba presents PF the five Trinatian hospitals in Algiers. Here the priests of his order do not only take care of the sick, but they also administer the sacraments, teach the children in the school, and ransom those that are in danger of converting.
This mission (that has been running for 70 years), has lately been disturbed by the vicar apostolic, Levacher [Jean Le Vacher]. He refuses to show his patents that he claims to have received from PF. Le Vacher forbade the priests of the hospitals to use their privileges, and took away the privilege of receiving the sacraments from the slaves. He removed the coat of arms of the king of Spain, the protector and patron of the hospitals, and also the coat of arms of the crosses. He also took the Holy sacrament from the hospital and brought it to his own house, amidst heretics, Lutherans and others. Because the priests have to take scaraments from Le Vacher's house to the hospital, there is a risk that this cannot be done in time. Le Vacher also let sick heretics enter the hospitals, and placed them in the same rooms as the Catholics; the hospitals used to take care of them in seperate rooms. He also forbade the slave priests to celebrate mass in the hospitals, making them instead travel to his house. When one priest dared to resist [Bartolomeo Da Serrano], he had him imprisoned and brought him to a Muslim court; this was a big scandal, not only among the Christians, but also among the heretics. For this reason Ferdinando aks PF in the name of his order to grant the priests in the hospitals the title and faculties of vicar apostlic, removing them from the jurisdiction of Le Vacher. Or, he asks PF to tell Le Vacher that he should not intervene in the hospitals, nor with its people. Proof of the case can be found in the collection of four testimonies made in the court of Madrid. After this summary was made, the letter of Jean Le Vacher arrived. A few years ago it seemed to PF a good idea, to declare the Trinitarian Fathers dependent from the jurisdiction of Le Vacher. Le Vacher deemed it necessary however, to issue a new decleration (similar to the one he had already received), in which it is declared that the priests of the hospitals are under his jurisdiction. Le Vacher also wrote about the abundance of missionaries that PF sends to Barbaria. According to him there is no need for more missionaries. The slave priests are dissatisfied because the missionaries take away their alms that they would receive from the slaves. With these alms they would pay for their own living, the lune to their masters, and their own ransom money. Some time ago, there where two Neapolitan priests for the mission, who asked Le Vacher for the required faculties, and he replied them that their services were not needed in Algiers. Le Vacher presided over the peace agreement between France and the Turks, which promised that the corsairs of Algiers would not enslave French people any longer. He also writes about the slaves that arrived some months ago, of which there were around 80 women, many of whom were Catholics. Some were at risk of losing their honor, when ransomed by him. The prosecretary [Domenico Corsi] states that they have continuously recieved complaints from Jean Le Vacher against the Trinitarians who have always pretended not to be subject to the vicar apostolic. Eventually during PF meeting of 28 February 1673, it was decided to give the general of this order the task to instruct his priests, that they would not administer the sacraments in the area, without a license from the vicar apostolic. One of them, Girolamo Da Sassari, persisted though. PF decided unanimously to remove Da Sassari from Algiers, and to write to the nuncio to Spain, requesting that he make sure that this would not happen again. The Trinitarian Fathers do not like the fact that Le Vacher forced them to receive the heretics, as requested in a letter written by PF dated 10 July 1673. PF renewed the orders to the general and the superiors of the hospitals, to not use the sacraments without the consent of the vicar. They also asked Le Vacher to receive the heretics in the hospitals in a more prudent way. They also order Le Vacher to give the two Neapolitan priests the faculties of missionaries, as has been decided in PF meeting of 1 December 1676; they also received the news of the death of Marcello Costa. PF decided to write to Le Vacher about the Trinitarians, and about the fact that Catholics and heretics should be seperated from each other. He should not interfene in things that are not part of his position, and PF also decided that the Neapolitan priests have to be given the faculties.
Date discussed: 1679-09-11
Additional comments
PF
APF SOCG 475, 93r-98r, 124v
[1679]
This summary is also found in the corresponding ACTA: APF ACTA 49, 205r, 214r-218v, issue 18 (database item 681).
See for the letters that were subsequently sent: APF LETTERE 68, 58v-60v (database item 636) and APF LETTERE 68, 60v-61v (database item 637).
For the mentioned letter from PF to Le Vacher, see: Letter from PF to Jean Le Vacher, 1673-07-10, Rome (database item 614).
Italian
Latin
Summary
798
Origin: [Rome]
Letter from Jean Le Vacher to [PF], 1683-05-26, Algiers
Algiers
Civitavecchia
Galleys
Slaves (Muslim)
Letter from Jean Le Vacher to PF. The Turkish slaves working in the galleys of the pope, have written to the rulers in Barbary about the piece of land where they used to bury their dead; the land has since been taken from them. They paid 1000 pezze da otto for the land, but have received no compensation. The rulers in Barbary were very displeased when they heared this, and decided to seek revenge themselves on the priests in Algiers (both secular as regular). This would have materialized had Le Vacher not stopped them, telling these men that he would send word to Italy, to either restitute the land or provide a substitute. Therefore he asks PF to do either one of these things, and to also relieve the poor slaves from their extraordinary suffering.
Additional comments
Jean Le Vacher
APF SC Barbaria 2, 36rv-v, 37v
1683-05-26
[Adressed to PF]
original: signed
Italian
Letter
905
Origin: Algiers
Destination:
Letter from Marò Aurelio Bongrazij to [PF], 1683-07-14, Civitavecchia
Civitavecchia
Slaves (Muslim)
Galleys
Letter from Maro Aurelio Bongrazij to PF. Following the orders of the Governatori delle Armi, and Cavaliere Malaspine (the commandor of the galleys), the most prominent slaves have been interrogated. They need to know whether they ever encountered difficulties, or are currently receiving difficulties, the current use of the place that they used to bury their dead, and whether this has been taken from them. They responded unanimously that they always enjoyed, and still do enjoy (without any impediment), the use of the land to bury their dead. They promised to make an authentic declaration of this, though as to date this has not het been done. They have stated that the declaration could damage them, as in the kingdom of Naples, the bodies of the Turks are burned and thrown into the sea. They showed not to have been mistreated in Civitavecchia, of which he wanted to make a declaration by Cavaliere Malaspina, but this has not yet been possible.
Additional comments
Marò Aurelio Bongrazij
APF SC Barbaria2, 38r-39v
1683-07-14
[Adressed to PF]
original: signed
Italian
Letter
906
Origin: Civitavecchia
Destination: [Rome]
Letter from the minister of the Holy See to PF-secretary Edoardo Cybo, 1683-08-04, Civitavecchia
Barbary (unspecified or several locations)
Civitavecchia
Galleys
Slaves (Muslim)
Slave priests
Letter from the minister of the Holy See to PF. Being in Visconte, he enjoys the opportunity to see the lieutenant of justice on a daily basis. The justice has continued to show his compassion with the suffering of regular, and secular slave priests in Barbaria. According to the news they received from a PF secretary (who received a testimony from the Governatore delle Armi), he deemed it necessary to offer two testimonies to PF; he also asks for approval to send them to Barbary. In Barbary they know that he is minister of the Holy See, and that he has always treated their Turkish subjects well, and provided them with passports free of charge. He has always done this in order to protect the Christians from harm, and to make sure they are not mistreated. Oriondo (a vassal of the Ottoman Empire), has spread negative rumours. Cardinal Stefano Brancaccio and the treasurer general of the pope, Negrone, are able to testify. In order to calm down the slaves, he sent a messenger to the treasurer, and after his return, the situation stablized. A full account can be given by the Bishop of Viva and from Princess Maria Pamphili Giustiniani. He is sure that the PF secretary will sympathize with his long account, and also because of his long service for the Cybo family.
Additional comments
[Minister of the Holy See]
APF SC Barbaria2, 41r-42v
1683-08-04
[Adressed to PF]
original; signed
Italian
Letter
908
Origin: Civitavecchia
Destination: [Rome]