Letter fom the PF secretary Francesco Ingoli about the missions in Barbary [1646-1648]
Tripoli
Salé
Slaves (Christian)
Ransom
Unsigned and undated letter asking PF Secretary Ingoli to write a letter to Julien Guérin letting him know that: a) for the Salé mission, two Recollects from Paris have been nominated; and b) he should attend to the business of ransoming the Portuguese slaves, which he had promised to do on his own, according to a certain Father Pasquale [probably Pasquale Canto, prefect of the recollect mission in Barbary]. The letter also mentions that Father Pacifico [Franciscus Pacificus, recollect] wrote from Tripoli that the Bassa, and the said Portuguese slaves are eagerly awaiting Father Guérin, and so he should hurry and attend to the matter, because otherwise the Bassa can cause trouble to the priests of the mission under the pretext that Guérin had money from the king, and the relatives of the slaves. If Guérin cannot do it, he should respond with a statement showing his honesty in this matter, for the sake of all the priests of the mission. Once he does so, and if he would not like to stay in Tripoli, PF could "console" him by sending him on a mission elsewhere. The author of the letter suggests that Ingoli may write a similar letter to the Internuncio in Portugal, Mr. Battaglini, if he sees fit to do so.
Additional comments
Letter written sometime between 1646 and 1648.
APF SOCG 247, 30r,31v
[1646-1648]
Addressed to Francesco Ingoli
Original; unsigned; undated; Italian
Italian
Letter
127
Origin: [Rome]
Destination: unknown
Letter from Antonio Catalaro, a slave in Tunis, to [Antonio Di Seravezza?], 1670-02-02, Tunis
Franciscans
Conversion
Seravezza case
Slaves (Christian)
Tunis
Letter from Antonio Catalaro [a slave in Tunis], to [Antonio Di Seravezza]. In another letter dated 24 October, he told Di Seravezza that 24 people converted to Islam, but now on 21 January, there are 60 who have converted, and everyday others follow. Its noted that since Di Seravezza left them, they are living like animals. It has been seven months since he left, and still he has not been able to remove the Lutherans, and enable himself to return and console their souls. They do not believe that the French king would fail to do justice, if he would have visited. Since it has already been quite some time, they do not believe that he will ever come back. There are six thousand souls in the hands of the barbarian enemies, and Christians are dying without receiving the sacraments. If the pope and PF would hear these things, they do not know what would happen. Di Seravezza is to blame for their situation, as he reports that things are going well, despite the current events. At the end of the letter, Catalaro asks Di Seravezza to hand the letter to PF.
Additional comments
Antonio Catalaro
APF SC Barbaria 1, 175r
1670-02-02
[Adressed to Antonio Di Seravezza]
copy; signed
Italian
Letter
878
Origin: Tunis
Destination: unknown
Letter from the nuncio to France, Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno, to [Ottavio Bandini], 1628-12-13, Paris
Cardinal rings
The nuncio to France, Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno, writes that the archbishop of Paris again claims that he has no obligation to pay the fee for the cardinal ring of late Cardinal de Retz (particularly since he had died before receiving the "capello" and before PF was even founded); and that he had always rejected similar requests from Mons. Cortino and Card. Spada; but now that he, the nuncio (Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno), has managed to make him promise to pay, he feels bound by that promise alone and by no other obligation. In the same conversation, related by the nuncio in this letter, the archbishop asked for a favor (from the pope, via the nuncio) regarding the cancelation of the obligation to pay the annate due from one abbey, called "Beata Maria de Pietate," which was left to his care after the death of Cardinal de Retz and which he had administered for six or seven years already, seeing as with that money he could pay the cardinal ring fee. The nuncio responded that the cardinal ring fee and annate were different issues and could not be combined. In his letter, however, the nuncio asks [Cardinal Bandini] to consider the archbishop's request nonetheless, because otherwise he fears that the cardinal ring fee issue will not be solved any time soon. A separate note containing the name and status of the abbey concerned is attached (on f. 6r).
Date discussed 1629-01-13
Additional comments
Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno
APF SOCG 131, 5r-6r, 8v
1628-12-13
Addressed to [Ottavio Bandini]
See also: APF SOCG 129 & APF SOCG 130 passim; APF ACTA 4, 219 (database item 43).
Original; signed; Italian and Latin
Italian
Latin
Letter
17
Origin: Paris
Destination: unknown
Letter from Jean Le Vacher to a Capuchin, 1671-11-13, Algiers
Tunis
Capuchins
Ransom
Slaves (Christian)
Letter from Jean Le Vacher to a certain member of the Capuchin order, in which he describes how he ransomed the Capuchin Luigi Da Palermo. Le Vacher used all his money so that Da Palermo could go and work in Tunis. Da Palermo promised to stay there for at least three years, but he left after only a few months, breaking his promise. Le Vacher now asks whether he can be sent back or whether another Capuchin can take his place. The letter dated 13 November 1671.
Date discussed [1672-05-30]
Additional comments
To this letter another letter was added (APF SOCG 433, 2r, 3v; not in this database), written by Marcello Costa and others on 25 December 1671, asking that Luigi Da Palermo be sent back to the mission because his work there was very beneficial for the mission and for the Christians in Tunis. That letter is signed by: Agostino Rossi, a slave priest, Giovanni Luca Bianco, priest, a free Frenchman De Lebar, someone called Picinino, the majordomo of the Bagno della Conceptione Giuseppe Benincasa, Giovanni Battista Brunelli, scribe of Agì Manet Celibi, and the scribe of the Bey, [Giuano?] Giustiniano.
Jean Le Vacher
APF SOCG 433, 1r-v
1671-11-13
Addressed to a Capuchin
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 42, 115r-v (database item 710).
Italian
Letter
652
Origin: Algiers
Destination: unknown
Report from Nicolas Pavillon to SCC, 1658-05-18, Alet
Alet
France (missions in)
Visitation
1658 ad limina report by bishop of Alet, Nicolas Pavillon (visitation and presentation of report to the pope done by Edmund Jolly of CM, on account of Pavillon's infirmity.) The report presents the general state of diocese, including missionary activities; details on method are provided, but not on the people involved, nor is CM mentioned in the report (the only time it is mentioned as such, is in relation to Jolly, within the introduction). Signed by Pavillon.
Additional comments
a) Only the introductory letter by Pavillon is dated (the report is not); and b) confusing dating by SCC clercs on f. 3v and 9r, indicating 11 May 1658 as date of report and 1? (second digit illegible) March 1658 as the date of discussion of the report in SCC.
Nicolas Pavillon
ASV Cong.Concilio Relat.Dioec. 312, 1r-10v
1658-05-18
Addressed to SCC
Related to: ASV Cong.Concilio, Libri Litter. Visit. SS. Liminum 11, 68r-69v (database item 78).
Original; signed; Latin
Latin
Report
75
Origin: Alet
Destination: unknown
Letter from PF to the superior general of the Jesuits, 1674-08-03, Rome
Scotland
Jesuits
Conversion
Copy of a letter from the secretary of PF to the superior general of the Jesuits. PF asks the superior three things regarding the Jesuit mission in Scotland: a) to order his missionaries to disperse over the whole country, and not stay at particular families or congregate in a few cities; b) to send some talented Jesuits to the universities in Scotland, in order to convert some of the smart young Protestants residing there; and c) to order the Jesuits to teach some young Scots in their own country instead of sending them to the mainland, since there is a high risk that they might not want to return to Scotland. The letter dated 3 August 1674.
Additional comments
PF
APF LETTERE 63, 73v-74r
1674-08-03
Addressed to the superior general of the Jesuits
Italian
Letter
623
Origin: Rome
Destination: unknown
Letter from PF to the superior generals of the Trinitarians and the Mercedarians, 1670-11-10, Rome
Tunis
Mercedarians
Trinitarians
Copy of a letter from PF to the superior generals of the Trinitarians and Mercedarians, stating that members of these orders in Tunis and Algiers do not acknowledge the authority of the vicar apostolic [Jean Le Vacher] sent by the Holy See. The superiors are asked if they were informed about this, and by what authority their members have to work there. The letter dated 10 November 1670.
Additional comments
PF
APF LETTERE 55, 76v
1670-11-10
Addressed to the superior generals of the Trinitarians and the Mercedarians
Later, PF asks de Trinitarians again to call Da Serrano back, see: APF Lettere 57, 116v (database item 865).
Italian
Letter
602
Origin: Rome
Destination: unknown
Letter from PF to Girolamo Da Sassari, 1670-11-10, Rome
Tunis
Copy of a letter from PF to Girolamo Da Sassari, informing him that the cardinals of PF have judged him unsuited for the mission in Tunis, and therefore will revoke his patents. The letter states however, that the cardinals admire his zeal and would like to see it employed in other missions. The letter dated 10 November 1670.
Additional comments
PF
APF LETTERE 55, f. 74r
1670-11-10
Addressed to Antonio Di Seravezza
Italian
Letter
599
Origin: Rome
Destination: unknown
Letter from PF to Michelangelo Ricci, 1669-06-01, Rome
Algiers
Copy of a letter from PF to Michelangelo Ricci. Ricci is instructed to request from the Congregation of Indulgences, that some indulgences be granted to the five chapels in the bagnos of Algiers, which has been requested by the vicar apostolic [Jean Le Vacher]. The letter is dated 1 June 1669.
Additional comments
Michelangelo Ricci was probably the secretary of the Sacred Congregation of Induglences and Sacred Relics at this time.
PF
APF LETTERE 54, 146r-v
1669-06-01
Addressed to Michelangelo Ricci
Italian
Letter
592
Origin: Rome
Destination: unknown
Letters from PF to Christophe Authier, 1645-01-07 and 1645-06-01, Rome
Christophe Authier
Avignon
Copies of letters from PF to Christophe Authier acknowledging the approval of his congregation's statutes and also referring to the college in Avignon, a mission in Sweden, and other matters.
Additional comments
PF
APF LETTERE 9, 234v, 253v-254r
1645-01-07 and 1645-06-01
Addressed to Christophe Authier
Contemp. copy; not signed; Latin
Latin
Letter
32
Origin: Rome
Destination: unknown
Letter from SCC, 1672-05-21, Rome
Toul
France (missions in)
Letter from SCC regarding the petition of "union" submitted by the bishop of Toul on 23 August 1670. SCC is asking for information on future developments.
Additional comments
SCC
ASV Cong.Concilio, Libri Litter. 17, 184-185
1672-05-21
Original registry entry; Latin
Latin
Letter
108
Origin: Rome
Destination: unknown
Letter from Antonio Di Seravezza to, 1670-02-25, Marseille
Franciscans
Seravezza case
Slaves (Christian)
Tunis
Letter from Antonio Di Seravezza. It has been seven months since he left Tunis, where he should be vicar apostolic. He has been forced to leave Tunis, because of several incidents that will become clear from the letter that [Tenente?] Bausset will send. He had to abandon the poor church and leave between five and six thousand souls behind, in order to come to Marseille to ask for justice. He would also have gone to Paris, if the circumstances would have allowed him, in order to present his case to the king. The French king protects the Holy Faith in these areas, and would have surely defended it now. However as he did not know how things work in these countries, he went to the consuls of Marseille, after he had arrived in that city. They heard his reasons, and read the testimonies of the merchants and Christian slaves, who had told Di Seravezza that he should go to the officer of justice and make a verbale. He also revealed the case to the nuncio, who brought it to the attention of the king. When he saw that such pious people defended his case, he happily left the officer of justice. Now he hopes that the consulate (which means Mister Pias), will keep account of the goods that Ambrogini [Jean Ambrozin] has taken from the church. He asks for the response to be send to Luigi Calaman. Being a Franciscan, Di Seravezza does not take money, therefore Calaman handles all his letters. This letter is a copy sent by Colbert.
Additional comments
This might be the letter to Father Benigno Bruni that Di Seravezza mentions elsewhere, see: APF SC Barbaria1, 180r-181v (database item 881).
APF SC Barbaria 1, 176r-177v
1670-02-25
For the verbale mentioned in this letter, see: APF SOCG 430, f. 248r-249v, 255r-256r (database item 734).
copy; signed
Italian
Letter
879
Origin: Marseille
Destination: unknown
Summary of two letters, SOCG 317, 66r-v and SOCG 317, 67r; 1658-08-06
Tunis
Slave priests
Conversion
PF summary of SOCG 317, 66r-v and SOCG 317, 67r [1658], reporting that several slave priests in Tunis have accused the apostolic vicar Jean Le Vacher, of abusing his office for self-enrichment. The superior of CM [in Rome, Edme Jolly] says that, on the contrary, Le Vacher is a most pious man who has done much for the conversion of heretics, and the consolation of the poor. CM affirms that his authority should be strengthened to prevent the problems that existed before his arrival, namely that certain priests were selling sacraments. The summary is undated and unsigned.
Date discussed 1658-08-06
Additional comments
This document is a summary of two other documents, APF SOCG 317, 66r-v and APF SOCG 317, 67r.
APF SOCG 317, 65r-v, 74v
1658-08-06
Adressed to [Cardinal Azzolino]
For the letter by the slave priests see: APF SOCG 317, 66r-v (database item 257).
For the letter by the superior see APF SOCG 317, 67r (database item 258.
For the minutes of the PF general meeting during which this issue was discussed, see: APF ACTA 27, 193r, 217r-218r, (database item 491).
Original; unsigned; dated
Italian
Summary
256
Origin: [Rome]
Destination: unknown
Decision by Giovanni Da Napoli, Rome, 1646-03-21
Franciscans
Retirement missionaries
Barbary (unspecified or several locations)
Giovanni da Napoli, superior of the Franciscan Order, approves the request of the Recollect Hyacinth Guérin (a missionary on the Barbary Coast), who asked that a house for missionaries be opened in Lisbon. PF notes indicate that Cardinal Este has heard the general of the Minor Observants say that such a house is not necessary, because his order already has a convent in that city, where the missionaries may be received. PF decides nothing.
Additional comments
APF SOCG 411, 384r,385v
1646
Latin
Italian
Letter
372
Origin: Rome
Destination: unknown