PF minutes, 1677-04-06, Rome
Scotland
Minutes of PF general meeting of 6 April 1677 discussing among other issues, a petition on behalf of the procurator of the Scottish mission, William Lesley. He asks if he may be substituted by David Gutherie (alumnus of the Scottish college), during the time that he himself will be in Urbino for Cardinal Carlo Barberini. Lesley writes that he has already provided a place where Gutherie and other subsequent procurators can stay without incurring any expenses. The rescript to this petition is "nihil."
Additional comments
PF
APF ACTA 47, 84r, 104v, issue 40
1677-04-06
See for the petition discussed during this meeting: APF SOCG 463, 402r, 403v (database item 660).
Latin
Italian
Minutes
676
Origin: Rome
Destination:
PF minutes, 1677-03-16, Rome
Scotland
Other secular missionaries
Minutes of PF general meeting of 16 March 1677 which was held in the presence of the pope, discussing among other issues, a petition by the procurator of the Scottish mission [William Lesley]. He mentions several abuses in the Scottish mission and advises PF to send Alexander Lesley as visitor. The pope confirms that Alexander Lesley should be the visitor, and decides that he be sent with instructions from PF secretary and 100 scudi for his expenses.
Additional comments
PF
APF ACTA 47, 52r, 65v-66v, issue 15
1677-03-16
See for the petition discussed during this meeting: APF SOCG 462, 592r-595r, 596v, 597v (database item 659).
Latin
Italian
Minutes
675
Origin: Rome
Destination:
Letter from PF to Marcello Costa, 1676-03-28, Rome
Barbary (unspecified or several locations)
Letter from PF to Marcello Costa, provicar on the Barbary Coast, letting him know that he will receive the 10 "pieces of eight" [Spanish dollars] that he needs in order to repay a dept, and that in the future PF will send him his provision of 30 scudi on time. The letter dated 28 March 1676.
Additional comments
PF
APF LETTERE 65, 18v
1676-03-28
Addressed to Marcello Costa
Italian
Letter
629
Origin: Rome
Destination: [Bizerte]
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
Letter from PF to [Jean Le Vacher], 1676-02-04, Rome
Algiers
Letter from PF to Jean Le Vacher, the vicar apostolic of Algiers. Fran'co [Francesco] Gatta and Gio Batt'a [Giovanni Battista] de Bonis from the diocese of Matera, want to join the mission in the area where Le Vacher is working. Before agreeing to the proposal, the cardinals want to know Le Vacher’s opinion on whether other priests are necessary. The letter dated 2 March 1676.
Additional comments
PF
APF LETTERE 65, 13r
1676-02-04
Addressed to [Jean Le Vacher]
Italian
Letter
628
Origin: Rome
Destination: [Algiers]
Summary on the reports from the Scottish mission, [1675]
Scotland
Visitation
Other religious orders
Scottish colleges
Summary on the reports of the mission in Scotland. In PF meeting of 23 July 1674 they took the following measures: a) the children sent to the Colleges have to be approved by the prefect and the children of Catholics have to go to PF schools; b) there is a need for new subjects to increase the numbers of missionaries, especially for the mountains. New missionaries should come from the Colleges, where everyone has sworn an oath. They will also buy a house for the old and crippled missionaries; c) an Irish bishop will be send to Scotland to administer the sacrament of confirmation; and d) There will be a visit to the Scottish mission. The decisions has been sent to Alesandro Winstero [Alexander Winster] on 23 August 1674, to which he responded with a letter from 25 April 1675. In his letter, he praised the measures taken by PF, especially the planned acquisition of the house. He responds with the following: 1) it already has been custom for the last few years to send the children to the Colleges. The children from the Lowlands however, cannot be sent to the school which is located in the highlands, not only because of the distance, but also because of language barriers. There are also more schoolmasters needed; 2) the missionaries cannot spread over the kingdom because there are 14 subjects and only nine missionaries. In some places there are so many converts that three missionaries are not enough, however it is impossible to stay in others because of persecution. It would not be of much help to call on those who are obliged by oath to work for the mission. Winster can only think of two people, Gio' Lesleo [Giovanni Lesley?] in France, and Jacomo Bamsaio in Bergamo, but they are both old and disabled. He ordered Franc'o Bianchi [Francis White] to call two Irish priests to the mission, but he did not receive any response that they actually arrived. Winster also asks the procurator [William Lesley] to send Ephrem Benedino to the mission, a Scot of great virtue who is staying in Regensburg; 3) he does not think its a very good idea to send an Irish bishop to Scotland, because it would be not only difficult for him to travel there, but also because it might bring renewed persecution to an area that is currently living at peace; 4) he gives the numbers of Holy Ornaments, and also asks PF to organize a visitation to the mission. He informs PF about the progress of the mission, as in some parishes of 600 people there are only 10 Catholics left. This is probably due to the fact that these places are not often visited by protestant missionaries. In the Lowlands the Catholic faith spreads slowly because there is more opposition, and in Teviotdale and Mercia [Merse?] the people are all Puritans. Winster also praises his missionaries, including Gio' Irvino da Beltia [John Irvin, "Belty"], who has worked in the mission for eight years; he is now asking permission to leave the mission, and enter a benedict monastery in Germany. Winster thinks that Ephrem Benedino who is staying in Regensburg might take his place. There is also Giorgio Innes who has been in the mission since 1672, and is staying in the province of Galloway. Innes needs to be given a provision from PF. It was hoped that his family would support him but they did not. David Burnett is disabled and it would be wise to send him to the Scottish College in Paris; its noted that Barclai [Robert Barclay] would happily receive him. His place could be given to Giorgio Gordon, who is currently staying at the Scottish College in Paris. David Burnet wrote a letter telling about his merits for the mission in his province and the books that he wrote in the vulgar tongue. He also states that it would be wise to choose a foreigner for the visit to the mission. The procurator [William Lesley] suggest to let Gio' Valcher [John Walker] make a Cathechism in the English language, as had previously been decided in 1670. Books writtem in English on controversies can be found for a good price in Paris and London, however it would be best to have a translation of Spandano's church history. This could be made by either the English Jesuit College in Rome or another English priest chosen by Cardinal Nortfolk. Alexander Lesley has also written a letter to PF to inform them of his merits for the mission. PF has chosen him to conduct the visit. Another letter has arrived from Robert Monro who writes about his work in the mountains. He says that if there were missionaries who could speak Scottish Gaelic, the whole area would quickly become Catholic. The procurator [William Lesley] states that the mountain areas are very poor, and they need financial support to send their children to the Colleges. When the visitor is leaving the kingdom, it would be benificial to take some students with him. Lesley also recommends Atanasio Chalmers as missionary (he is currently staying in S. Scolastica in Subiaco), and asks for the patents of missionary in the border region between Scotland and England. Lesley also asks for an extra provision for the missionaries in Scotland, as there has been a famine.
Date discussed: 1676-01-10
Additional comments
PF
APF SOCG 457, 128r-130v, 138r-v, 144v
[1675]
This summary also appears in the ACTA: APF ACTA 46, 2r, 9v-12r.
See for the mentioned letter of Alexander Lesley: APF SOCG 457, 133r (database item 788).
See for the mentioned letter of Robert Monro: APF SOCG 457, 134r-v (database item 789).
See for the mentioned letter of Alexander Winster: APF SOCG 457, 135r-136v (database item 790).
Original
Italian
Summary
787
Origin: [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]
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]
Letter from PF to Cardinal De Massimi, 1675-01-29, Rome
Tunis
Capuchins
Trinitarians
Slaves (Christian)
Letter from PF to Cardinal De Massimi. The cardinal had communicated to PF, that Trinitarian Father Mendeita commented on the accusations of eight slaves in Tunis against the Capuchin Carlo d’Ancona, who is provicar in Tunis. Since Cardinal De Massimi advised PF to secretly write to Tunis, the cardinals of PF now ask him to do so himself. The letter dated 29 January 1675.
Additional comments
PF
APF LETTERE 64, 5r
1675-01-29
Addressed to Cardinal De Massimi
Italian
Letter
625
Origin: Rome
Destination: Rome
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
PF minutes, 1674-07-23, Rome
Algiers
CM petitions
Petitions for faculties
Minutes of PF general meeting of 23 July 1674 discussing among other issues, a petition by Jean Le Vacher asking that his faculties which are about to expire, be renewed. The cardinals agree to the request.
Additional comments
PF
APF ACTA 44, 204r, 205v, issue 10
1674-07-23
Latin
Italian
Minutes
674
Origin: Rome
Destination:
Report on the Scottish mission, 1674-07-21, [Rome]
Capuchins
Conversion
Jesuits
Scotland
Visitation
Since it had been decided that everything discussed in the Congregazione Particulare (CP) also has to be reported to the Congregazione Generale, they have made a list of everything that was decided during the meeting of 21 July 1674, on Scotland.
a) someone has to visit the four Scottish Colleges, and the first to be visited should be the College in Paris, which is administered by the Carthusians. They received an answer saying that they should speak with the prior general of the Carthusians in order to choose a visitor of this order, and they also wrote the nuncio to France about the matter. For the College in Douai, which is administered by the Jesuits, they should write to the internuncio and discuss the matter with the father general of the Jesuits. For the College in Madrid, they should write the nuncio to Spain, and also to Cardinal Borromeo. For the College in Rome, they should write to the most imminent protector; b) it was decided that students who want to become secular priests had to be selected for the Colleges. They received an answer that the Jesuits should choose students for the College of Rome, which are then approved by the prefect of the mission; c) it was decided that to increase the number of secular priests, it should be made clear that the congregation wants to use their services. Therefore a declaration should be made; d) it was decided that Irish missionaries should be sent into the mountains. They received the reply that this would be done; e) there is a big need for sacred furnishings. The proposal was accepted, and it was decided to discuss with the prior of the mission the amount of furnishings needed; f) there was also a big need for books. They responded that when it was made clear what books were needed, they would provide them; g) it was decided that the provisions should be paid earlier to the missionaries, and this was approved; h) it should be made clear on what day the missionaries begin receiving the provision. This issue was approved; i) they should use the revenues from the College in Madrid for the mission itself, since there are not any Scottish students there anyway. They received an answer stating that the nuncio should be written to about the way in which the goods ought to be sold, and they should wait for his report; j) sometimes it might be necessary to limit the faculties of the missionaries, or to remove them from the mission. The issue about the faculties was approved; k) it was said that the prefect should stay in Edinburgh. They have decided that it should be left to the prefect to decide; l) it was decided that the missionaries should be spread equally over the dioceses. They received the answer that the superiors of the religious orders should be instructed to do this; m) there should be some missionaries present at the Universities to convert talented students. It was decided that the father general of the Jesuits should be written to about this; n) as there is no-one to administer the sacrament of confirmation, an Irish bishop should be sent on certain occasions into Scotland. They received the answer that the internuncio should be written to regarding his matter, in order to know from what diocese this would be the easiest; o) there should be youths deemed suitable, selected for the Colleges. They were instructed to speak with the superiors, and for the College of Rome, it was already decided that they should ask the approval of the prefect; p) the prefects should have the faculty to recall missionaries that are absent. They received the answer, saying that the prefect should have this faculty in order to force the missionaries to keep their oath; q) it was decided that the Colleges should not receive Scottish students without the approval of the prefect of the mission. This was approved; r) it was decided that students should be taught within their own country. They received the answer that they should discuss this with the father general of the Jesuits; s) it should be forbidden for Catholics to attend heretic schools. They received the answer that the missionaries should be instructed to prohibit Catholics from going to the schools of the heretics; t) it was said that the provision of the schoolmasters should be raised. It was decided that the provision should be raised to 50 scudi, and it was prohibited to take money from the students (or their parents), under the penalty of excommunication; u) it was suggested that the schoolmasters should only be secular priests. This was approved; v) it was said that the prefect should have the faculty to consecrate chalices and portable altars. They responded that this had already been approved; w) it was said that they needed a hospital for retired missionaries in either Dieppe, Caen, or in Normandy. It was decided that the funds necessary for such a house should be assigned to the project; x) it was said that the prefect should have the faculties to give dimissorial letters. They received the answer saying that the faculties had been conceded to the prefect by the rectors of the pontifical Colleges, for 12 years.
y) It was said that in the college of Rome they should especially host students from the mountain areas. They received an answer saying that they should wait for the report of the most eminent protectors; z) it was said that there should be a visitation to the mission. They received an answer stating that they should ask the nuncio to France for a suitable person; aa) It was suggested that there should be a superior for the whole mission, both secular and regular. They received an answer saying that they wrote the nuncio to France and the internuncio to Belgium, requesting information for a suitable candidate for superior; ab) It was said that they should elect a vice-prefect. They received an answer saying that the current situation should be maintained; ac) it was said that the Prefect should have the authority to give faculties to those who have not been declared missionaries by PF. They received an answer saying that they wanted to maintain the old situation; ad) it was said that the mission should receive some kind of grant, as Pope Urban did when he gave 4,000 scudi for the foundation of a Scottish convent in Avignon, and as Pope Alexander did for the mission of the Cevenne in the Linguadoc; ae) it should be made clear whether the students of the Colleges need to receive absolution for irregularity, as they usually have been heretics, or are the children of heretics; af) there are some books that should be translated, especially the one by 'Spondano' [Henri de Sponde]. This request is accepted; ag) they will also pay for the translation of 'Baronio' in English, which could be done by 'Valcherio' [John Walker]; and ah) other points of doubt were also discussed. They received an answer saying that this should be done by someone else.
Date discussed: 1674-07-21
Additional comments
This is made on a meeting of CP, the Congregazione Particolare on Scotland, made for the General meeting of PF, GP, the Congregazione Generale.
PF
APF CP 23, 222r-225r
1674-07-23
[Adressed to PF]
These points have first been adressed in the a CP report on the mission in Scotland, see: APF CP 23, 176r-196v (database item 809).
CP has taken notes about the issues adressed before, but these seem to be in an earlier stage, see: APF CP 23, 201r-202v (database item 811).
original; unsigned
Latin
Report
812
Origin:[Rome]
Report on the Scottish mission, 1674-07-21, [Rome]
Barbary (unspecified or several locations)
Capuchins
Conversion
Jesuits
Scottish Catholics abroad
Tripoli
Report on the Scottish mission. In 1668, PF received a report on the Scottish mission from the prefect Alesandro Winstero [Alexander Winster]. This report was discussed during PF meeting of 27 September 1669. After this meeting, the affairs of the Scottish mission were referred to this particular congregation.
In the report the following subjects are being discussed: a) the size and location of Scotland; b) the rule and language of Scotland; c) the location of the mission in Scotland; d) the amount of people; e) Catholicism, errors and abuse; f) the goods of the church; and g) the many obstacles the Holy Faith faces in Scotland. According to the law it is prohibited to say or listen to mass. Priests face the death penalty, and the lay people face the penalty of having their goods confiscated. The heretics also force the Catholics to go to their University, where they run the risk of conversion. Catholics are not allowed to take public office in Scotland, because they cannot take the required oath, and the number of missionaries in the area is insufficient; the solution to the last issue is better administration of the Scottish Colleges overseas. To achieve this, they propose the following solutions: 1) that all Colleges should receive a visitation that makes sure that the foundations of the Colleges are respected. The Scottish College in Paris claims that it was not founded to produce missionaries, but to house Scottish students who want to study at the university. After finishing their studies they were free to choose a career to their liking. Now however, new houses have been bought and there are 10 students (not including the superior, prefect and servants), who are all willing to return to Scotland. The missionaries in Scotland also select the students on their willingness to return. The procurator of the mission proposes that since the Nuncio will not be able to make the proposed visitation, they will ask Cardinal De Bouillon [Card'le di Buglione] to visit instead; both he and his uncle (marshal Turenne), are very affectionate to the Scottish nation. The second College is in Douai, and whilst the prefect is not sure with what intention the College was founded, it is believed that it always created its own revenue; there used to be around 30 students residing at the College. Nowadays, the Jesuits (who are the superiors of the College), state that the College has hardly any money, and that the original donation was not made to the College itself, but to their mission; there are also few students still living at the College. The secretary informs PF that on 8 February 1667 it was decided to let S'r Intern'o di Fiandra make the visitation. At that time however, the city was conquered by the French and he could not enter; 2) the third College is in Madrid, and according to the Prefect [Paluzio Altieri] it was founded by a Scottish nobleman, colonnello Sempelio [colonel Sempill]. Its noted that there have been very few students at the College, and it is administered by the Jesuits. The secretary [Francesco Ravizza] states that in 1668 Cardinal Borromeo [Federico Borromeo] had the instructions to visit the College (he was nuncio at the time), but he does not seem to have done this. The procurator will ask the current nuncio to make the visitation. The fourth College is in Rome. The procurator believes that cardinal Barbarini had visited this college often over the past few years. In general, the procurator states that the Colleges give little assistance to the mission. The College of Rome, which had the best chances of creating missionaries, has been limited to just four students. This is caused either by the Jesuits who do not chose capable students, or by the superiors and ministers of the College, who do not educate the youth with prudence and kindness. For the other Colleges, (except Paris, where the youths do not have any obligation to become missionaries), there does not seem to be of much use for the mission, at least for the secular clergy. This leaves the mission only protected by PF, who proposes that regular visits are made, in order to make the youth serve the nation. The prefect also asks the visitors of the Colleges to substitute any students that are not suitable for the mission. The prefect asks the visitors to instruct them in particular in Christian virtues, controversies, cases of conscience, in administering the sacraments, rites, ceremonial practices, and preaching, and they should also all visit conferences during their studies. The procurator of the mission adds that in the College of Rome they no longer carry out these expectations. For this reason, the students are forced to stay for some time in Paris, before going to the mission. The prefect proposes that when the students are not instructed in the Colleges, the rectors of these Colleges should be forced to send the students (at the expense of the Colleges) to a seminary. When the students are sent back to their countries without any experience as missionaries, they are of little use. The secretary states that during PF meeting of 4 February 1664, it was proposed that the students of the Scottish College in Rome would be used for some time to take care of the city's souls, in order to send them to the mission fully prepared; 3) the prefect believes that it would be better if the election of students for the College of Rome would be done by the prefect and the missionaries. They should find a person zealous to his country and the mission, and should check if the Colleges actually followed the instructions previously listed; the procurator says that without this last issue, all the others would be neglected or not be enforced at all; 4) due to the number of missionaries being very small, in comparison to the needs of the country (every day the number of Catholics is increasing), the prefect deems it necessary to increase the amount of missionaries. These should not only come from the College of Rome, but also the other Colleges. Right now there are eight missionaries divided over five dioceses, and the others do not currently have any missionaries; 5) it is not right that the only Irish missionary is Fran'co Bianchi [Francis White], who has worked for many fruitful years for the mission. According to White they could easily find more Irish missionaries with help from his brother. The prefect already asks to reserve 20 scudi as travel money for three or four persons. It is hoped that PF deems these people suitable, as one of the two Irish Franciscans of the mission has already died. The procurator says that in the Highlands and on the islands people are more inclined to the Holy faith, and that there is a smaller risk of persecution. The procurator proposes that they will focus their efforts on these areas, because he believes that the conversion of the Lowlands depends of those in the Highlands. The Irish Franciscans who went to the Highlands spoke the local language, but now they all left. If PF decides to use regular priests they should make sure that they understand that they are subjected to the prefect of the mission, from whom they receive faculties and provisions; 6) because all the requisites have been used, PF is asked to give the nuncio to France the money to buy portable altars. The procurator says that there is a big need for chasubles and chalices. All the priests should have their own, as they live very far away from each other. It should be made clear however, that these items belong to the mission and not to the missionaries themselves; 7) there should be money reserved to buy books on controversies and devotion, as they will be useful for not just the Catholics, but also among the heretics; 8) the immediate time after their arrival is always very hard for the missionaries. They have used all their traveling money, and have to wait an entire year before receiving their next provisions. The prefect asks PF to send the provision for the missionaries to the prefect, so that the missionaries can start working directly after they arrived. If someone is unable to go to the mission, it is up to the prefect to get the money back. The secretary states that this problem was recently resolved, when it was decided that the missionaries of Scotland would be paid one semester in advance; 9) the prefect asks to set a date for when the provisions begin, so that the missionaries know how much time they have before being paid. According to the secretary, this is the day that they start to work for the mission. In the case of illness, its noted that PF may continue to support the missionaries; 10) because PF has always been very zealous towards the Scottish mission, they want to find a way in which the missionaries can live honorable lives. The English missionaries own patrimonial goods, or are supported by noble houses where they serve as chaplains; regular priests might be supported by their superiors. The Scottish Catholics that own patrimonial goods, are layman or part of an order, and only very few become secular priests. At this moment none of the secular priests have any patrimonial goods. There are very few Catholics in Scotland, and they live very far away from each other. The missionaries first stay at one house for a few days and then travel further to another one. Even though they are staying with Catholics, they use their provision to pay for their living, and often live among heretics. It is common that they are very lonely, start to get bored and become very silent. At mass, they hardly ever receive money from the Catholics. The Catholics are usually very poor, as they are excluded from public office and forced to pay the protestant priests. The life of the missionaries is very insecure and full of fear, and they are afraid to leave without the license of PF. After receiving their license they either have to retreat for a while to recover from illness, or they are too old or tired to be of any use for the mission; they are forced to live the rest of their lives in poverty. The Jesuits for example have always received a subsidy and always stayed in Scotland, even during the most dangerous times. Some pious people from Paris sent Irish missionaries to the Highlands, and paid them 100 scudi for travel and living expenses. As these priests did not receive any alms, they were not able to pay for their living. The situation in Scotland is not the same as in England, and the mission needs a stable base. They ask PF to help the mission, because without any help this church cannot exist much longer, and the students will abandon the mission; 11) they propose to use the revenue of one of the Scottish Colleges for the mission itself. They suggest the College in Madrid as hardly any Scottish students went there, so it is of little value to the mission. It also would not be against the wishes of the founder, because he simply wanted to help his Fatherland, which is better served with the mission itself than with the College; 12) though the missionaries behave themselves, they could (because of their isolated position), ignore their duty if they are not controlled by the prefect. They ask that in the case of missionaries who have received multiple warnings, to give the prefect (together with two missionaries), permission to limit or revoke the faculties of these missionaries; 13) they ask PF to permit the prefect (or someone nominated by PF), to stay in Edinburgh. The council is located in Edinburgh, and it is also where the Catholics have to go for the courts; 14) the procurator says that if regular priests would work for the Scottish mission, they should be spread over the dioceses. This is applied to the secular priests, and they should not be allowed to just stay in comfortable areas, and the houses of Catholics; 15) there are three universities in Scotland, one in Glasgow, Aberdeen and St. Andrew, as well as a College in Edinburgh. It is suggested therefore that there should also be somewhere for the care of missionaries. They suggest that this be assigned to the Jesuits; 16) because there is no bishop is Scotland to administer the sacrament of confirmation, PF suggests that on occasion, a bishop from Ireland should visit; 17) there are many potential students for the Colleges of Rome, Madrid and Douai, and the Jesuits should make their decision, without any bias; 18) there are many Scots outside Scotland that have sworn to become missionaries but never did. Therefore they should be forced to return to the mission or send a substitute in their place; 19) the rectors of the Colleges should not receive any students without permission from the prefect of the mission, or at least from the missionaries themselves; 20) the Jesuits should be forced to teach the students in Scotland; 21) the Catholics are forced to send their children to the schools of the heretics, where they run the risk of being converted. PF asks thats all missionaries to do something about this, and to either make sure that the children have Catholic schoolmasters, or to send them to the school of the mission; 22) because the schoolmasters cannot live on the 30 scudi given to them, they have to ask for a provision from the students. They propose to forbid the schoolmasters from taking anything from the children, and instead raise their income to 60 scudi. This was already decided during PF meeting of 4 February 1664, however the prefect was satisfied with 30 scudi, and money being taken from the students; it was this reason however, why many students were not able to go to the schools; 23) since the two schoolmasters are secular they should become missionaries, and two other priests should be found in their place; 24) the prefect should be given the faculties to consecrate chalices and portable altars, as there is no bishop in Scotland. Its noted that the prefects in Asia work in the same way; 25) the house in Dieppe (which has already been approved by PF), depends completely on PF for money, and for other problems which have yet to be explained by Card’l Antonio b. [Antonio Barberini Jr.]. PF should provide the money for at least one house in Dieppe or Cacen [Caen?]. In this way the Scots will be more eager to work for the mission. PF does the same thing for the Franciscan mission in Albania, the mission in Cairo, Egypt, in Tripolo for the missions on the coast of Africa, the missions in India by the Theatines in Lisbon and Goa, and the Capuchins in Lisbon who work for the mission in the Congo; 26) they propose to give the nuncio’s to Flanders and to France the authority to give dimissorial letters to young Scots. This will make the Scots more eager to become part of the clergy, and does not force them to travel far away. This will also make them more loyal towards their own Fatherland; 27) at the College of PF, the students learn way more about ecclesiastical matters, which they do not learn with the Jesuits. Therefore they ask PF to receive someone from the Scottish Highlands, so that in time this person can work as schoolmaster; 28) PF has already been asked on several occassions to send a visitor to the mission, but it has never materialized since they have not been able to find a suitable person. They propose to choose a Scottish or Irish priest, in order to not to create any suspicion; 29) PF decided to have a superior general in Scotland, but this did not happen as the Jesuits opposed the plan. This would have allowed one person to oversee everything; the secular priests never gave any information on the regular priests, therefore PF never knows what they are doing. The secretary found a few relevant decrees on this matter, one from 9 July 1630, and the other from 5 August 1630. Both are on the office of superior for the Scottish mission; and 30) its requested by the faculty to the prefect, permission to nominate a vice-prefect who would substitute him in the case of absence or death; this happens in Asia and other remote places. In the case of death, all faculties should be given to the oldest missionary until PF appoints a new prefect. The secretary found a decree about this on the missions in Asia which is being cited. (A longer summary in English is available in the transcription file.)
Date discussed: 1674-07-21
Additional comments
Gio' Brenano is named as 'hora Vescouo/ Vaterfordien.' This must refer to the bishopric of Waterford and Lismore, who is indentified as John Brenan.
PF
APF CP 23, 176r-196v
1674-07-21
For thoughts on the doubts adressed at the end of this report, see: APF CP 23, 197r-200r (database item 810) and APF CP 23, 232r-v (database item 813).
For further discussions on the other issues adressed in this document, see: APF CP 23, 201r-202v (database item 811) and APF CP 23, 222r-225r (database item 812).
Original
Italian
Latin
Report
809
Origin: [Rome]
PF minutes, 1674-06-26, Rome
Barbary (unspecified or several locations)
Other secular missionaries
Minutes of PF general meeting of 26 June 1674. The cardinals discussed among other issues the case of Marcello Costa, who was named missionary and provicar in Tunis, at the PF meeting of 28 February 1673. The missionary patents and the prevision of 30 scudi were also given to Jean Le Vacher. From the letter that Costa wrote on 29 January it becomes clear that Le Vacher gave the money directly to Costa, despite being instructed to give it to him only after a year of service. This was necessary because Costa had worked for 8 years in several missions without receiving any payment. He was also in debt, due to having to personally pay for his travel expenses to reach each mission assigned to him. For these reasons Le Vacher agreed to give him the money. Costa also says to have served in Tunis on his own; even though there are four slave priests in the city, Costa works on his own, as for different reasons, none of these priests are able to work. Costa is also afraid that they will lose Le Vacher, because he is suffering from spasm in one of his legs, which is about to be amputated. In his first letter, Costa wrote that the Capuchin Fathers had not reached their destination, however in another letter dated 12 April, he writes that Carlo d'Ancona and Vicenzo Da Frascati, the Capuchin Fathers, have arrived in Tunis. In the same letter he also writes that Le Vacher has already given him his patent as provicar in Bizerte, for the duration of three years, of which he sents a copy and asks for a confirmation. He also asks PF to prolong his provision of 24 scudi for three years, with another 5 years due to his harsh financial problems. The cardinals agreed to both requests.
c
Additional comments
PF
APF ACTA 44, 170r, 185v-186v, issue 39
1674-06-26
For the first letter of Marcello Costa discussed in this PF meeting, see: APF SOCG 448, 140r-v, 145r-v (database item 779).
For the second letter of Marcello Costa discussed in this PF meeting, see: APF SOCG 448, 141r-v (not yet in this database).
Latin
Italian
Minutes
672
Origin: Rome
Destination:
PF minutes, 1674-06-26, Rome
Tunis
Capuchins
Slave priests
Slaves (Christian)
Petitions for missionary patents
Minutes of PF general meeting of 26 June 1674 discussing among other issues, a letter from Carlo d'Ancona. Jean Le Vacher, vicar apostolic in Algiers, has sent him to be provicar in Tunis. D'Ancona reports on the state of the mission, and mentions that he found five priests (four slaves and one free). The latter Marcello Costa is a good priest, but the rest are mediocre, and cannot be trusted to have interests other than their liberty. D'Ancona thinks that the care of a bagnos should not be given to slave priests in the future. He also asks how to deal with a certain slave priest who wants to work in multiple bagnos, even though he has to celebrate mass with chains around his feet. Since D'Ancona has heard few good things about this priest, he asks whether he should let him continue his service or withdraw it altogether. The cardinals agree with the second proposition. Lastly, D'Ancona asks that PF confirm the patents that Le Vacher had given him, but the cardinals decide that there is no need to do so.
Additional comments
PF
APF ACTA 44, 170r, 189r-v, 47
1674-06-26
Latin
Italian
Minutes
673
Origin: Rome
Destination:
Letter from PF to Marcello Costa, 1674-06-26, Rome
Bizerte
Tunis
Copy of a letter from PF secretary [Francesco Ravizza] to Marcello Costa, provicar in Bizerte. He writes that he has read Costa's letter dated 29 January, in which Costa had reported to be working with zeal as a provicar in Bizerte. PF will not only repay to [Jean] Le Vacher the 30 scudi that he has already given to Costa, but will also extend Costa's provision of 24 scudi per year, for another five years. The letter dated 26 June 1674.
Additional comments
PF
APF LETTERE 63, 61r
1674-06-26
Addressed to Marcello Costa
Italian
Letter
622
Origin: Rome
Destination: Bizerte
Letter from PF to Jean Le Vacher, 1674-01-09, Rome
Bizerte
Tunis
Copy of a letter from the PF secretary [Francesco Ravizza] to Jean Le Vacher. He wonders why Marcello Costa is still not at his mission in Bizerte, and why Jean Le Vacher gave him 30 scudi prior to his departure. PF wants Jean Le Vacher to see to it, that Costa immediately goes to the mission assigned to him. The letter dated 9 January 1674.
Additional comments
PF
APF LETTERE 63, 8r
1674-01-09
Addressed to Jean Le Vacher
Italian
Letter
621
Origin: Rome
Destination: [Algiers]
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]
Letter from PF to Jean Le Vacher, 1673-12-12, Rome
Algiers
Tunis
Capuchins
Slaves (Christian)
Petitions for faculties
Copy of a letter from PF to Jean Le Vacher, vicar apostolic of Algiers. Carlo d'Ancona and Vincenzo da Frascati, two Capuchins, have been sent to Tunis to assist the slaves, and now ask for the usual faculties. PF asks Jean Le Vacher to give these faculties to both missionaries, provided that they really are in Tunis. If not, Le Vacher is asked to send another able and charitable priest. The letter dated 12 December 1673.
Additional comments
PF
APF LETTERE 61, 168v
1673-12-12
Addressed to Jean Le Vacher
Italian
Letter
615
Origin: Rome
Destination: [Algiers]
Letter from PF to Jean Le Vacher, 1673-07-10, Rome
Algiers
Trinitarians
Copy of a letter from PF to Jean Le Vacher, vicar apostolic of Algiers. The Trinitarians working in Algiers have asked for the permission to keep the most Holy sacrament (i.e. consecrated bread) in their hospitals (or at the very least in one called San Giuseppe), stating that it will be very safe. PF wants to know the vicar's opinion on this issue. The letter dated 10 July 1673.
Additional comments
PF
APF LETTERE 61, 80r
1673-07-10
Addressed to Jean Le Vacher
This letter is also mentioned elsewhere, see: APF SOCG 475, 93r-98r, 124v (database item 798).
Italian
Letter
614
Origin: Rome
Destination: [Algiers]
Letter from PF to Alexander Winster, 1673-06-13, Rome
Scotland
Other secular missionaries
Scottish colleges
Copy of a letter from PF to Alexander Winster, prefect of the Scottish mission. PF writes that in the future, he should not give money to his missionaries with the assumption that PF will pay it back. At the request of the prefect, PF has written to the Rectors of the Scottish Colleges that they should not accept students, unless they can show a letter of their superiors. Lastly, the letter states that in the future, the provisions of the missionaries will be paid one semester in advance. The letter dated 28 February 1673.
Additional comments
PF
APF LETTERE 61, 64v-65r
1673-06-13
Addressed to Alexander Winster
This is a response to: APF SOCG 440, 568r-v, 569v (database item 778).
Italian
Letter
613
Origin: Rome
Destination: Scotland
Letter from PF to the superior general of the Trinitarians, 1673-02-28, Rome
Algiers
Trinitarians
Copy of a letter from PF to the superior general of the Trinitarians. In January 1672 PF already ordered the superior to recall Bartolomeo Da Serrano from the mission in Algiers. Since the superior has not carried out this order, and Da Serrano is still in the mission, the cardinals again order the superior to immediately do as previously requested. The letter dated 28 February 1673.
Additional comments
PF
APF LETTERE 61, 20r
1673-02-28
Addressed to the superior general of the Trinitarians.
Italian
Letter
612
Origin: Rome
Destination: [Spain]
Letter from PF to the nuncio to Spain [Galeazzo Marescotti], 1673-02-28, Rome
Algiers
Trinitarians
Copy of a letter from PF to the nuncio to Spain, asking him to order that Bartolomeo Da Serrano leave the mission. If this is not done, the vicar apostolic of Algiers [Jean Le Vacher] should impose censures on Da Serrano. Attached to this letter is another letter for the superior general of the Trinitarians. It is left open so that the nuncio can attach his own letter to it, ordering Da Serrano to return to his own province. The letter dated 28 February 1673.
Additional comments
PF
APF LETTERE 61, 19r-v
1673-02-28
Addressed to [Galeazzo Marescotti]
See for the summary and the decision to write the nucnio to Spain: APF SOCG 438, 468r-469r, 470v, 471r-v (database item 770).
Italian
Letter
610
Origin: Rome
Destination: [Spain]
Letter from PF to Jean Le Vacher, 1673-02-28, Rome
Algiers
Bizerte
Petitions for faculties
Copy of a letter from PF to Jean Le Vacher, vicar apostolic of Algiers, stating that the cardinals approved Jean Le Vacher's choice of Marcello Costa as missionary of Bizerte. PF sends the patents which state that Jean Le Vacher himself should give him the faculties and that Costa should obey the vicar. Le Vacher is instructed to grant his the faculties when he is certain that: a) Costa freely accepts the tasks and agrees with the salary of 20 scudi per year; and b) there are other priests who can substitute Costa in the work that he is currently doing, or at least until PF can send other missionaries. The letter dated 28 February 1673.
Additional comments
PF
APF LETTERE 61, 19v-20r
1673-02-28
Addressed to Jean Le Vacher
Italian
Letter
611
Origin: Rome
Destination: [Algiers]
Summary of two letters of Alexander Winster, [1672]
Scotland
Petitions for faculties
Two letters arrived from Alessandro Winstero [Alexander Winster], the current Scottish prefect. The letters discuss various requests, and the response of the cardinals: a) as Gilberto Graio [Gilbert Gray] was useless for the mission, he was recalled. Winster has not done this yet, because he does not have enough money to provide Gray with traveling expenses; b) he also had the order to send Aless'ro Brunetto [Alexander Burnet] back for his inadecquacy, and he has given him 40 scudi travelling money. Winster still asks for the refund; c) Winster heard that some Scottish students go from one College to the another without any testimonial letters. The superiors of the Colleges should be instructed not to receive any student without the necessary testimonial letters; d) he asks for the faculties to consecrate chalices and portable alters, as currently there is not anyone who can do this; e) he asks what to do about the Holy oils since he cannot get them from mainland Europe (as prescribed by the canons); and f) because of the poverty in the country, Winster asks for the money requested to be sent in due time. Besides this, the Procurator Lesleo [William Lesley] also asks for the missionaries in Scotland to be paid on time, at least before the second half of the year begins. He also asks Aless'ro Irvino [Alexander Irvin] to be given the same amount of money as the other missionaries. Irvin receives 40 scudi, while the others get 50 scudi. He had previously paid the difference of 10 scudi himself, but he is unable to continue doing so.
In response to the first issue, PF responds to let Gray leave without giving him any traveling money. To the second issue, PF wrote to the prefect to take Burnet, as he was a suitable candidate for the mission. The prefect asked for the travelling money to which the answer was "Nihil." Aless'ro Irvino [Alexander Irvin] was accepted as missionary in 1668 and confirmed in 1671.
Date discussed: 1673-08-02, 1672-12-19 and 1671-08-31
Additional comments
PF
APF SOCG 440, 563r-v
[1672]
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 42, 165r, 189v-191r (not in this database).
See for the petition of Lesley: APF SOCG 440, 564r, 571v (database item 776).
See for the letter of Alexander Winster to PF: APF SOCG 440, 568r-v, 569v (database item 775).
Original
Italian
Letter
775
Origin: [Rome]
Destination: [Rome]
Summary of SOCG 535, 1672-08-02
Jesuits
Non-Catholic Christians
Petitions for missionary patents
Scotland
Scottish Catholics abroad
PF Summary of SOCG 435. Robert Monro, a missionary in Scotland, writes in a letter that: a) he has not been able to serve the mission as he wanted, because of a persecution in Scotland that started after letters of Jesuits were found. This happened when one captain Hardy (a Catholic), had a fight with his wife who sent the most confidential letters to the dean of Edinburgh (a heritic called Lauria or Lorenzo), and he sent the letters to the privy council. This Hardy had a correspondence with all the missionaries, and especially with Sig' Bianchi [Francis White] and Padre MacDonel [Francis MacDonnell?]. They also found a letter by Monro, and received detailed information about all the missionaries. They see this as a judgement from God, because these people did not want to return to the church, and the Catholics did not live virtuously enough; b) the council issued another decree by which it was forbidden for Catholics to hear mass, or practice their religion in Scotland; c) the count of Sempil and the baron of Petfodels have been thrown in jail, because they sent their children outside Scotland for education; d) the count of MacDonell of Glengary has been told that he should find security, and that many members of his family will need to behave themselves, and the same goes for many of the Montagnoli; e) in the mountains there are not really any problems. But Monro nor the other missionaries can carry out their missionary activities; f) Frasiro [Francis Fraser] and Kimneries will pay the money, as ordered by the procurator; g) Bianchi [Francis White] is dying; h) the Procurator [William Lesley], when writing to the missionaries, should call himself Giacomo I'nes. He should also send the letters for the prior to his brother Alessandro Lesleo [Alexander Lesley], because all the letters that are written to Catholics are intercepted; i) he asks for Rome to write to the queen of Scotland so that she will protect the Catholics; j) many Catholics have been imprisoned, and that he himself escaped two times. He has many other things to write that he does not dare to say. Barclaro [Robert Barclay], the rector of the Scottish College in Paris, who sent Monro's letter to the procurator, writes also to the procurator himself, asking to give the missionary parents with the viaticum to the brother of the procurator [Alexander Lesley]. Because the College had spent a lot of money on a chapel, they were not able to give him the money themselves. He writes that the things Monro wrote were true, but that not all the mistreatments of the Catholics were for religious reasons; it is noted however, that they have been treated badly for their religion in the past, but now the Catholics do not have to fear persecution. After a decree that issued the freedom of conscience, the criminal laws against the nonconformists have been suspended, the Catholics can organize mass in private places, and all the other religions have been given public places. Information about this edict is also written by Patrizio Coneo [Patrick Con], and he said that he gave this letter to Cardinal Carlo [Carlo Barberini?] and Cardinal Barberino [Francesco Barberini?]. He writes that it is important to be careful, and one should remember that there are spies [in Paris?] that write everything down to send to England. PF decides to write to the queen about the Scottish Catholics.
Date discussed: 1672-08-02
Additional comments
PF
APF SOCG 435, 127r-128v
1672
See for the corresponding ACTA: ACTA 42.
Original
Italian
Latin
Summary
757
Origin: [Rome]
Destination: [Rome]
Summary of thee letters that were sent by the nuncio, 1672-11-04
Scotland
Summary of three letters sent from the Scottish missionaries to PF. The nuncio to France [Francesco Nerli] has sent some letters from Scotland, written by the new prefect [David Burnetto], and one from a missionary [Alexander Winster]. In these letters they write that there are eight missionaries in Scotland, three of which are in the mountain areas, where 1,000 Catholics live. For this number one would actually already need six priests. He asks for 30 scudi each year to install [Nicolo Dunbar?] as a teacher in the school in Moidart. He also asks not to send missionaries without patents, and he gives some information about the mission. He also asks for a document prior to the mission.
Date discussed: 1673-01-31
Additional comments
PF
APF SOCG 438, 240v, 241v
1672-11-04
The three letters reffered to are the following:
1) APF SOCG 438, 234r-v (database item 765).
2) APF SOCG 438, 235v, 237r (database item 766).
3) APF SOCG 438, 238v, 239r (database item 767).
Original; signed
Italian
Latin
Summary
768
Origin: [Rome]
Destination: [Rome]
Letter from PF to Jean Le Vacher, 1672-07-10, Rome
Algiers
Trinitarians
Letter from PF and its secretary [Federico Baldeschi] to Jean Le Vacher. The Trinitarians keep pretending to be exempted from the jurisdiction of Jean Le Vacher. They also failed to order Bartolomeo Da Serrano to return. PF sent several letters but never knew their effect. They will wait and try to get a reaction. Written for Card. Altieri [Paluzio Altieri].
Additional comments
PF
APF SC Barbaria 1, 449r-v
1672-07-10
Adressed to Jean Le Vacher
For the letter, to whom this copy was attached, see: APF SC Barbaria, 445r-448r (database item 894).
copy; signed
Italian
Letter
895
Origin: Rome
Destination: [Algiers]
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
PF minutes, 1672-05-30, Rome
Algiers
Tunis
Capuchins
Ransom
Franciscans
Petitions for faculties
Minutes of PF general meeting of 30 May 1672 discussing among other issues, a letter from the vicar apostolic of Algiers [Jean Le Vacher] from 13 November. He requests PF to decide among the following options: a) that the Capuchin Father Luigi Da Palermo be sent back to the mission; b) that the superior general of the Capuchins send another Capuchin; or c) that the Capuchins help the vicar apostolic to ransom another priest who would substitute Luigi Da Palermo. The vicar apostolic thinks that the last option will be easily accepted by the order, because he came to know that the Fathers of Sicily already had money to ransom Luigi Da Palermo (but the vicar apostolic had already ransomed him with his own money). The general procurator of the Capuchins has nominated two candidates to go to that area, Gioseppe [Giuseppe] Maria da Bologna and Francesco d'Arcidosso. In his letter of 23 March, the Minor Observant Elescario Boullard writes that after he arrived in Tunis, the vicar apostolic [Jean Le Vacher] wrote to Marcello Costa (a missionary in Tunis), that he should make Boullard leave. This has been confirmed by Leorardo Omodei, the leader of the ransom organisation in Sicily. The cardinals decide to approve the two candidates for the mission proposed by the procurator general and that they should be given missionary faculties. The vicar apostolic and the superiors of the Minor Observants should request that Boullard leaves the mission.
Additional comments
PF
APF ACTA 42, 115r-v
1672-05-30
See for the letter discussed in this minutes: APF SOCG 433, 1r-v (database item 652).
Italian
Latin
Minutes
710
Origin: Rome
Destination: