Description
Report on Madagascar, describing its size and location. It furthermore describes that many CM priests have worked there, converting more than 5,000 Christians; only one of whom survived. The report states that Marshal de La Meilleraye is expanding his control over the island of Madagascar, and he asks for the appointment of a bishop for the great number of priests who will be needed for the conversion of the island. He promises to provide financially for this bishop, and for the priests who will follow him. PF general meeting of 6 September 1660 agreed the appointment of a bishop in partibus with the faculties of apostolic vicar; the pope approved this decision on 22 September 1660.
Date discussed 1660-09-06, approved by pope on 1661-09-22,
Additional comments
The French version is almost illegible and is not transcribed here; for a transcription of the Italian version, see APF SOCG 252, 14r-v, 19v (database item 270). The dates discussed and PF's decision are written on the verso of the Italian version. The letter itself is undated, but another document suggests that it was written on 14 June 1660. See APF SOCG 252, 20r, 21r, 22v (database item 271).
Relation
The Italian translation of this letter and the PF discussion are in: APF SOCG 252, 14r-v, 19v (database item 270).
For the discussion minutes, see: APF ACTA 29, 211r, 220v-221r (database item 477).