Petition on behalf of Luigi Da Palermo, [1677]
Capuchins
CM petitions
Conversion
Ransom
Renegades
Slaves (Christian)
Tunis
Petition on behalf of unknown to PF. Luigi Da Palermo sent a long letter explaining his situation. He has been enslaved in Algiers, and he postponed ransoming himself, in order to work all day and night for the poor souls. His [Capuchin] procurator general has revealed the great merit he had for the mission: he converted two heretics and Renegato Valentiano. Gio LeVascier [Jean Le Vacher] ransomed him with the promise that he would work for the mission as vicar apostolic of Tunis, and vicar general of Carthage, and he has been approved as provicar by PF. When he arrived in Tunis, he ended the quarrels among different groups. He has brought great success to the mission, despite there being only few missionaries; one of whom was Marcello Costa, as one can read from the defense. Two heretics coverted to Catholism due to his work, and one was a poor Gerbino who converted and promised to flee to Malta. He tried to reconcile the two Christians with each other, however the following night, they got into a fight, and one of them cut the other with a knife. He was severly injured, and whilst he lay dying on the ground, he was consoled by Luigi Da Palermo, who gave confession and forgave his murderer. The other (the murderer), was sentenced to death by the dogana, however first he converted, repented his sins and confessed. He was resolved from his sins and from excommunication. His arms and legs were cut off and he was dragged through the city. After this, when he was black and swollen, he was burned under the window of Luigi Da Palermo. Then he was dragged through the city for a second time, and was eventually burried with many stones. The Christians saw that Luigi Da Palermo was beaten to the ground, and believed him to be dead. They thought it a great miracle not only that he was alive but also that he was not hurt. He baptised a child from a Christian slave, despite her master not wanting the child to be baptised; after two weeks the child died and went to heaven. Two Greek women were bought by two Christians, who mistreated them. Many renegades come to Luigi Da Palermo stating that they are confused and afraid that heaven would be closed to them. Luigi advised them to flee to the Christian world, write down their names (including surname) and place of origin, and to send these details to Christianity, so that their punishment will be lessened. Luigi Da Palermo told the French consul of Tunis, Gio' Ambrosino [Jean Ambrozin] that he could not take the money that belonged to the church of Tunis. Because of Ambrozin many souls will now be lost. PF has sent a message to Jean Le Vacher, asking him to make sure that he will do something about the consul. The alms are used to help the sick, the poor and afflicted Christians. There was also a woman in Tunis, with two virgin daughters from Corsica. Luigi Da Palermo and the other missionaries discussed who in the Christian world could help these people. They all agreed that they should ask the grand duke of Tuscany, and whilst Luigi was in Palermo, 1000 scudi arrived in Tunis to free all three of them. Filippo Brescia from the city of Trepani arrived in Tunis with the plan of the renegade. Luigi visited him, took him to his house, converted him and took care of him. Eventually he sent him back to Christendom. There were also two freed Christians who couldn't leave the city because they had no money to pay the port. Luigi collected 60 piastre, payed the port and they could leave for Messina. Luigi always used to go to the bodies of S. Perpetua and Felicità in Turbura, and he was planning to spend the 280 piastre he had collected from alms for them. Eventually though he decided to spend it on the ransoming of the two souls. There were also two young Spaniards, who were tortured into renouncing their faith because their masters wanted to take them to Mecca. He lent them money from French merchants, also and took money from S. Leonardo and S. Lucia to ransom the boys, and send them back to the Christian world. In Sicily he presented the boys to the viceroy who promissed to pay the debts. Because of an uproar the viceroy had to leave for Messina. Luigi Da Palermo went to Rome, disillusioned as he was, and presented the great need of the mission. PF did not take this very well, and he was sent back to Palermo until further notice. He than again returned to Rome, after which his active and passive voice was taken away. Luigi Da Palermo has been prosecuted for theft for six years because he would have stolen 250 piastre; this has ruined his reputation. Luigi Da Palermo has a letter written in Spanish from Luis de Loyo, the curator of the royal patrimony in Sicily, about the 200 piastre from S. Francesco used for Pietro de Salorsano [one of the freed slaves]; he also wrote a letter defending Luigi Da Palermo, and Giuseppe De Leon (the other slave) is in Sicily. Luigi has always done good work for the mission. If he is found guilty, he should be punished, but if he is found innocent, it would not be right to let him suffer any longer, and to further ruin his reputation. When asking to return to Tunis, he asks for further hardship without pay, as in these countries one is in continuous risk of losing one's life for Christ. In the case that PF does not want to use the services of Luigi any longer, they should repay the money to the churches in Tunis. Luigi already paid 50 to S. Francesco and would have payed the rest after his return. They could also asked the other freed slave, Giuseppe De Leon, to repay the money and save Luigi's reputation.
Date discussed: 1677-08-03
Additional comments
Luigi Da Palermo
APF SOCG 465, 231r-232r, 233v
[1677]
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 47164r, 165v-167r (not in this database).
Italian
Petition
797
Origin: unknown
Destination: Rome
Petition on behalf of Nicolas Etienne to PF, [1662]
Madagascar
CM petitions
Petitions for faculties
Petition on behalf of CM missionaries in Madagascar, asking for solutions to the spiritual needs encountered during the journey to Madagascar. They ask: a) if they may administer sacraments onboard ships other than the one which they initially boarded (for example, if they have to change ship because of a shipwreck), and exempt people on the ship from fasting during Lent, when there are no other priests on board; b) if they may administer sacraments not within the territory of their mission, providing there are no other priests present. Or if this is not allowed, they have permission to marry two people when there is no bishop, parish priest or missionary in that place; c) if they may perform baptisms in places where there is no parish church nor any baptismal font; d) if they may hear the confession of people who have not confessed for years and give them absolution, even if they can only communicate through signs; e) if the confessor is obliged to confirm if soldiers who come to confession are fighting a just war, and if not, if he should refuse absolution. During their meeting of 27 November 1662 the cardinals decide the following agree to the appointments requested by Alméras. In response to the other requests, they decide: 1) to give their consent for the requested faculties, i.e. to administer the sacraments on other ships than the one they initially boarderd, but only when absolutely necessary; however, the ability to exempt people on the ship from fasting during Lent and other penitences is not considered beneficial by the cardinals; and 2) regarding the second request (concerning the administration of sacraments outside the territory of their own mission), the missionaries should use their own judgment in these cases. Regarding the other issues (c to e), the cardinals decide that these should be handled by the Holy Office.
Date discussed 1662-11-27
Additional comments
Nicolas Etienne
APF SOCG 252, 30r-v, 33v
[1662]
Addressed to PF
See for the PF summary of this petition: APF SOCG 252, 28r-v (database item 275).
The PF discussion is in: APF ACTA 286r, 288r-289r (not in this database).
For the letter in which PF informs CM on the decision on the missionaries, see: APF Lettere 43, 88v-89v (database item 820).
Original, undated and unsigned
Italian
Latin
Petition
276
Origin: unknown
Destination: Rome
Petition on behalf of the Republic of Venice to PF, [1675]
Algiers
Capuchins
CM petitions
Petitions for faculties
Petitions for missionary patents
Ransom
Tripoli
Tunis
Because the republic of Venice has been very compassionate about her subjects that have been kept as slaves in Barbaria, she has decided to ransom some of them; this is why Venice wants to send Capuchins from her lands to these regions. For this reason Venice asks PF to grant Capuchins from Venice the right to settle in Algiers, Tunis and Tripoli as missionaries, not only to ransom the slaves, but also to help them in their religious needs. They ask PF to send the Capuchins to Barbaria, and to give them the same priviliges, faculties, and provision as other missionaries. PF decides not to grant the Venetian Capuchins the licenses, and instructs those who really want the faculties to contact the prefect of the mission.
Date discussed: 1675-06-25
Additional comments
The Republic of Venice
APF SOCG 454, 64r, 65v, 66v
[1675]
Adressed to PF
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 45, 142r, 147r-v.
Original
Italian
Petition
784
Origin: unknown
Destination: [Rome]
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]
Petition on behalf the Trinitarian Procurator General, Domenico [Taffuri?] to [PF], [1673]
CM petitions
Trinitarians
Tunis
Petition on behalf of Domenico Jafurt, Trinitarian procurator general. From the letters sent by [Bartolomeo Da] Serrano, one can understand that things are described very differently, than how the Vicar General of Carthage [Jean Le Vacher] presents them; its believed that the charges pressed against Da Serrano are motivated by hate, and not by zeal. That is why Da Serrano sent his writings ( which were also confirmed by testimonies) to PF. They want PF to do something about the scandals that have happen especially against the hospital, and they are protected by the Spanish king and the Trinitarians. The vicar of Carthage [Jean Le Vacher] and the consul [Jean-Armamd Dubordieu] are both French, and are believed to be working together against Da Serrano.
Date discussed: 1673-02-28
Additional comments
Domenico Taffuri
APF SOCG 438, 469r
[1673]
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: ACTA 43, 44-47r.
Original
Italian
Petition
771
Origin: unknown
Destination: [Rome]
Petition on from the Scottisch missionaries to PF, [1675]
Scotland
In PF meeting of 23 July 1674, it was decided to raise the provision of the schoolmasters to 50 scudi a year. In the latest dispatch to Scotland however, the schoolmasters received 30 scudi (as they had been granted before the raise). In response, they ask PF to grant them the higher provision. PF secretary [Urbano Cerri] states that they decided to raise the provision to make sure that the schoolmaster would not ask their students to contribute financially; the students financial contributions to the mission would mean that the students would not be able to go to school.
Date discussed: 1675-06-25
Additional comments
PF
APF SOCG 454, 230r, 231v
[1675]
Adressed to PF
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 45,142r, 162v-163r.
Original
Italian
Latin
Petition
785
Origin: unknown
Destination: [Rome]
PF notes of a petition by Dionisio Kennedy, 1667
Scotland
Other religious orders
Petitions for missionary patents
Jesuits
Franciscans
PF notes on a petition by Dionisio Kennedie [Kennedy], an Irish Augustinian wishing to go to the mission in the Scottish highlands. The petition notes that Kennedie is asking for the faculties of missionary, including a provision for daily expenses, and transportation expenses for himself and a companion, whom he proposes to find in either Italy or France; nobody has given information on this priest as of yet. In the Highlands there are already secular priests and Jesuits, as well as Bianchi [Francis White], and two Franciscan priests from Ireland. However, if possible, these two missionaries should be sent there as well, because there is a great need for priests.
Additional comments
APF SOCG 308, 301v
1667
Italian
Notes
347
Origin: unknown
Destination:
Report by [William Ballantyne] on Scottish mission [1654]
Scotland
Mission reports
Conversion
Capuchins
Jesuits
Report from the superior of the Scottish mission, William Ballantyne, to PF. It describes the importance of the mission, the political situation, and the relationship between Protestants and Catholics in the country. The report also lists all the missionaries and their activities: a) secular priests, Ioannes Smiteus [John Smith] and Jacobus Crittonius [James Crichton] who both work in Galloway, Nithsdale and Lauderdale (all in the south). [Joannes Valcherus] John Walker and Thomas Lumsdenus [Thomas Lumsden] work in the territories of the Huntly family; the report also states there are three Irish priests working in the Highlands and on the islands; b) regular priests, Roger Lindzaius [Roger Lindsay], a Capuchin who is already "in officio" for 45 years, and Father Primrosius [Primrose] who works in Lothian; and c) priests from the Society of Jesus, Father Hall, Father Maxuellius [Maxwell], Father Macbreccus [Macbreccus], Father George Lesleus [Lesley], Father Joannes Smiteus [John Smith], Father Grantius [Grant] and Father Andreas Lesleus [Andrew Lesley]. The superior then goes on explaining family ties of important Catholic families, and describing which members of these families have been (re)converted.
Additional comments
The document is not dated but a (PF) note on 324r states the year 1654.
[William Ballantyne]
APF SOCG 297,324r-331v
[1654]
Addressed to PF
Original, unsigned and undated
Latin
Report
302
Origin: unknown
Destination:
Report from Christophe Authier to PF [1640 or 1641]
Christophe Authier
Mission reports
France (missions in)
'Report on the progress of Christophe Authier and his companions in France'. Detailed reports of the two missions mentioned in the previous letter (on f. 345r, 346v (database item 67), as well as six others. On f. 386r there is a testimony by the bishop of Valence in support of Authier's missions, written in Valence on 13 July 1641.
Additional comments
Written in either 1640 or 1641.
Christophe Authier
APF SOCG 199, 353r-387v
1640-1641
Addressed to PF
See for references to some of the same missions: APF SOCG 199, 345r, 346v (database item 67).
Original; sign.; Latin; summary of main ideas in margins by PF
Latin
Report
68
Origin: unknown
Destination: Rome
Report from the Scottish mission, [1652]
Scotland
Mission reports
Conversion
Scottish colleges
Scottish Catholics abroad
Report from the Scottish mission, with the names of the missionaries and a short description of their activities: Giovanni Smitteo [John Smith] studied in Rome and Paris, and is working near the border between Scotland and England. Guglielmo Bannatino [William Ballantyne] who converted in France and studied in Paris and Rome, is living in Aberdeen where most Catholics live, but he travels a lot. Giacomo Crittonio [James Crichton] studied in Rome and Paris, and is working in the west of Scotland where his family lives. Giouannj Valchero [John Walker] studied in Rome and was converted by Ballantyne there. Ballantyne invited him to join the Scottish mission. Giouannj Brusio [John Bruce] studied in Rome and worked as a chaplain to a Scottish regiment in France. He is about to go to Scotland and is awaiting the requested faculties. Tomaso Lumisdeno [Thomas Lumsden] was converted in France and ordained in Rome. Like Walker he is awaiting his faculties so he can go on the Scottish mission. [Roberto Barclaio] Robert Barclay is the procurator of this mission in Paris.
Additional comments
Although this report is undated, it must have been written after 1650, when Ballentyne was back in Scotland after his journey to France, and before August 1653, when Lumsden was already in Scotland.
APF SOCG 297, 293r-294v
[1652]
Addressed to [PF]
Original, unsigned and undated
Italian
Report
301
Origin: unknown
Destination:
Report on the Highlands and Hebrides missions drawn from various letters to CM Superior Vincent de Paul [1655]
Scotland
Mission reports
Summary of reports from the years 1652-1655 by Francis White, Thomas Lumsden and Dermot Duiguin to Vincent de Paul (translated from French to Italian). The summary principally reports the work of Duiguin and White in the Hebrides; they state in the report that ignorance among the residents is enormous, but the people seem very eager to learn. They also note that great miracles are said to happen by the use of sacred water. The reports state that the region cannot be ministered by only two priests, as both the distances between the islands and the number of people are too big; more missionaries are therefore requested. The reports also note that on the last day of February 1655, Francis White (who was staying at the house of Marchioness of Huntly), got taken prisoner, and is now in Edinburgh.
Additional comments
APF SOCG 297, 356r, 358r-60r
[1655]
The mentioned letter by Dermot Duiguin is probably, APF SOCG 297, 279r, 280r-284v (database item 299).
Translated copy, unsigned and undated
Italian
Report
303
Origin: unknown
Destination:
Report on the mission in Scotland by [William] Lesley and the Archbishop of Armagh for PF, [1678]
Conversion
Franciscans
Scotland
Scottish Catholics abroad
Relation on the Hebrides. The task to write a relation on the Hebrides was given to Archbishop of Armach [Armagh]. This relation was given to him by a franciscan missionary Fran'co Macdonel [Francis MacDonnell], who had to travel there to bring the Holy oils. The procurator [Willam Lesley] of the mission made some remarks about the content. He thinks that the amount of people that live on these island is much bigger than is described in this report. Various island are being described by their size, amount of inhabitants, whether they are Catholics or Protestants, and by its rulers. Most people on these island talk Scots "Scottish Gaelic" and the nobility speaks corrupted English. The lords of the island also have possesions on the mainland, where the people also speak Gaelic, and are very willing to the Catholic faith. Grain does not grow in these islands, but there is barley, oat and spelt and many animals; there are however, no fruit trees. There are many monuments for saints, and destroyed churches. The islands have a pseudo-bishop but he is never really present. The people there could be converted pretty easily. In the sumer people drink milk, during the winter boiled water. The rich nobility drinks beer. People do not give alms to the priests but are obliged to pay money to the Protestants. The missionaries only have the money that they receive from PF. Because there are not really foreign missionaries, the Scottish youths are instructed in Colleges outside the country, there is a risk however that they will not want to return. Flour should also be brought for the missionaries, since they live in great distress. To convert these island's one should: a) send priests who speak English, despite the problem of Scottish youth missionaries not wanting to return from abroad; b) to instruct the youths overseas, as the people prefer priests from their own country. Also described are the easiest ways to send a letter to the Scottish mission; c) it would really help if there was money to pay a schoolmaster. It was suggested that Eugenio Makelastrio would do this first, and later David Burnetto [David Burnet], but this never materialized. Maybe the brother of the procurator could teach Sciences after he finished his studies in Paris; and d) it would be a good thing if PF would write to the nobles on the island who are willing to help the Catholics. This is where the relation, that the bishop of Armagh, wrote with the help of Francis MacDonnell, ends. Lesleo [William Lesley] does not want to say anything more about this document besides the additions that he already made. Another, imcomplete, draft of the relation follows.
Additional comments
This report seems to be a reworking by William Lesley, the procurator of the Scottish Mission, of the report of the archbishop of Armagh (probably James Margelson). The missionary Francis MacDonnell also had a role in this, but it seems as if he provided the information to the archbishop who wrote the report. The archbishop says that he delivered the relation on 2 September 1671. The problem is however that Lesley still made changes to the document. The letters in the same file written by Lelsey are from much later, in 1678. Hence the report is probably written around the same time.
William Lesley
Archbishop of Armagh
APF Scozia vol. 1, 593r-607r, 697r-699r
[1678]
Adressed to S. Cong'ne Particolare
Orignal; draft
Italian
Report
745
Origin: unknown
Destination: Rome
Reports from Christophe Authier to PF, 1642
Christophe Authier
Mission reports
Reports from two of Authier's missions in 1642.
Date discussed 1642-11-24
Additional comments
Christophe Authier
APF SRC Francia I, 81r-86v, 87r-90v
1642
Addressed to PF
Original; signed; Latin with Italian summaries in the margins and Italian summary on the back of last page
Latin
Italian
Report
69
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]
Statutes of Authier's congregation in Valence [1647]
Christophe Authier
The statutes of Christophe Authier's congregation in Valence, in two versions (as emended by PF, and as submitted initially). The name of the congregation in the amended version is "Congregatio Sanctissimi sacramenti ad Missiones et Seminariorum directionem"; in the initial version (on f. 171r-173v) it is "Congregatio Sacerdotum Cleri."
Date discussed 1647-04-01 and 1647-06-17
Additional comments
A second set of statutes (identical content; only PF notes differ) is in PF SOCG 199, f. 450r-457v (not in this database). They were discussed in PF general meetings of June and September 1647; it looks like that set was sent to Cardinal Brancatio for review, after all the other cardinals had already seen it (according to PF note on f. 454v).
APF SOCG 199, 167r-174v
[1647]
For the PF decree and follow-up notes concerning the statutes, see: APF SOCG 199, 165r-166r (database items 27 and 198).
Contemp. copies; unsigned; undated; Latin; PF notes in Italian
Latin
Italian
Statutes
197
Origin: unknown
Destination:
Summary of a letter sent by the trinitarian procurator general [Domenico Taffuri?], 1673
Algiers
Non-Catholic Christians
Trinitarians
Summary of a letter sent by the Trinitarian Procurator General [Domenico Jafurt], about the case of Bartolomeo Da Serrano. Among other issues, PF discussed the matters concerning Le Vacher and Bartolomeo Da Serrano several times on 11 January. Da Serrano was sent from a Trinitarian house in Spain to Tunis to take care of the hospitals. The problem is that he does not accept the authority of the vicar apostolic, and that he administers the sacraments without a licence. PF praises Le Vacher because he first warned Da Serrano not to administer the sacraments, and only later threathened with interdiction. PF also wrote to the Trinitarian general and asked to let their priests obey the vicar apostolic, and to call Da Serrano back. However, he thought that he was not obliged to listen to the vicar apostolic, and in collaboration with his superior he wrote a letter to PF, stating the following: a) on 6 November 1671 Le Vacher told Da Serrano that he could not give absolution, though he could do this according to the rights granted to his order; b) he forced a companion of Da Serrano (Gio' Marcos), to accept ill lutherans in the hospital, when it would have been better to keep the wolfs seperate from the lambs; c) on 19 March Le Vacher told Da Serrano that he wanted to sing mass in his chapel, when Da Serrano objected Le Vacher threatened to suspend him from the administration of the sacraments; d) on 24 May whilst they were celebrating mass in the chapel of the bagno of the king, Le Vacher removed a crucifix that Da Serrano placed there four months earlier, because he believed they should place something of S. Louis, the French king. After this he supsended Da Serrano from administering the sacraments. He told the Turks that Da Serrano wanted to create a revolt for which he was incarcerated; e) Le Vacher used the Franch consul [Jean Armond Dubordieu], and the Turkish tribunals to press charges against Da Serrano; f) Le Vacher forbade all priests to administer the sacraments in the bagno of S. Gioseppe, and he offered this bagno for 800 pezze as a resident for merchants. He blocked the four reali that each French ship had to pay to the hospital; g) Le Vacher placed a Portuguese priest in the hospital to administer the sacraments and take alms from the sick. After a conflict he forbade the priests to celebrate mass in the hopsital; h) on 28 May the companion of Da Serrano was forbidden to collect money for the ill; i) on that day Da Serrano was also taken from the hospital to the governor, where he complained that he had not done anything wrong; j) when he arrived home he received a order from Le Vacher, not to administer the sacrements outside the chapel of S. Gioseppe; k) all the things written above are absolutely true, one could check it by contacting the mentioned people. That is why the General [Domenico Jafurt] concludes that the charges against Da Serrano are motivated by hate and not by zeal. PF decides to write to the Trinitarian Superior and to the nuncio to Spain, and request that Da Serrano should be recalled.
Date discussed: 1673-02-28
Additional comments
PF
APF SOCG 438, 468r-469r, 470v, 471r-v
1673
This is a copy of the same text in the ACTA file: ACTA 43, 44v-47r.
See for the letter to the nuncio in Spain: APF LETTERE 61, 19r-v (database item 610).
Original
Italian
Latin
Summary
770
Origin: unknown
Destination: [Rome]
Summary of the mission reports from Scotland, [1667 or 1668]
Scotland
Mission reports
Petitions for faculties
Other religious orders
Visitation
Poland
Jesuits
Franciscans
Summary of the mission reports from the Scottish missionaries. It is a general report about the ongoing problems of the Scottish mission and the steps already taken by PF. The main issue is the chronic lack of priests, and although PF has done much to find other secular priests for the Highlands, there has been little result. Now they have sent two Irish regular priests and want to send others under the direction of a regular prefect. John White has been asked to go, but he is unwilling and cannot be constrained. In his place Cussak, an Irish priest in Paris, is proposed. Since there will be more regulars in the Highlands, Francis White, who is working there, might start teaching himself. In this way there would be no need to send students from the Highlands to the Continental Colleges. The priests in the Lowlands should be divided better over the different regions, as the regular priests (nine Jesuits, one Dominican and one Franciscan) currently all stay with rich Catholics. Two secular priest are about to be sent to the mission, both called Irvine, one of whom is currently in Poland visiting his sister. Furthermore a few concrete requests are repeated. The summary contains requests of faculties for the prefect (which allow him to consecrate chalices and altars): missionary patents, money for rosaries and other devotional objects, a visitation of the Scottish Colleges and monasteries, the replacement of the rector of the Scottish Colleges, a solution for the house where the missionaries can retreat, and a visitation of the Scottish mission. The decisions made by PF at the meeting of 23 January 1668 are on f. 384v.
Date discussed 1668-01-23
Additional comments
The summary was written no later than 23 January 1668, since that is the date of its discussion.
APF SOCG 308, 381r-384v
This summary and the PF decisions are also in APF ACTA 23, 9v-13r, which have been published as an appendix to an article by Cathaldus Giblin: 'The Acta of Propaganda Archives and the Scottish mission, 1623-1670,' Innes Review 5, no. 1 (1954) 39-76, 73-76.
[1667 or 1668]
The discussion of this summary can be found in: APF ACTA 23, 3r, 9v-13r (not in the database).
Italian
Latin
Summary
362
Origin: unknown
Destination:
Summary of two petitions on behalf of CM Superior René Alméras and Nicolas Etienne to PF, [1662]
Madagascar
Petitions for missionary patents
Petitions for faculties
Summary of two petitions sent to PF stating: a) the request by René Alméras to declare Nicolas Etienne, Robert Menan and Michel Manie as missionaries in Madagascar, and to also give Etienne the faculties to appoint a vice prefect who will replace him in case of death; b) the petition by Nicolas Etienne to administer sacraments onboard ships other than the one which they initially boarded, and to exempt people onboard the ship from fasting during Lent, when no other priests are present on the ship. In the summary, PF secretary [Mario Alberizzi] comments that the Madagascar missionaries probably think they already have these rights outside the territory of their mission, which is not the case; usually they solicit and receive permission from the bishop of the harbor from which they depart; c) a further request from CM regards the possibility to celebrate mass in places where there are no other priests, even if it is not within the territory of their mission, and to also perform marriages and baptisms there; d) they also ask if they may hear confessions when the confessants does not speak the language of the priest (and can only use signs and gestures); and e) lastly they want to know if the confessor needs to confirm if the soldiers who come to confession are fighting a just war.
Date discussed 1662-11-27
Additional comments
APF SOCG 252, 28r-v
[1662]
The petition by Nicolas Etienne can be found in APF SOCG 252, 30r-v, 33v (database item 276) and the one by René Alméras is in APF SOCG 252, 31r, 32v (database item 277). Database Item 276 also includes the PF decision. The discussion of this summary and the petitions is in APF ACTA 286r, 288r-289r (same information as in SOCG; not in this database).
Original, undated and unsigned
Italian
Petition
275
Origin: unknown
Destination: [Rome]