Letter from Antonio Di Seravezza to [PF], 1671-01-11, Cagliari
Capuchins
Corsairs
Franciscans
Petitions for missionary patents
Ransom
Renegades
Slaves (Christian)
Seravezza case
Letter from Antonio Di Seravezza to PF. He had previously sent a letter to PF about the poor state of the church of Tunis (which had been caused by the French consul Jean Ambrozin), so that PF would select two priests for this case, and would be well informed enough to remove the consul from his position; he has given this letter to Father Chintana who was instructed to bring it to PF. However, the two ships that would bring the letter to Rome have been capatured by the Turks, therefore he is sure that the letters are lost. For this reason, a copy has been made, and sent with the help of David de Barnard and Cosimo Bouillard, a French merchant. Because he [Di Seravezza] was staying in Tabarca he had to go to Sardinia in order to meet Girolamo Da Sassari (his predecessor who had expierenced the same troubles as he is now), to talk about the case. When he arrived there, however, he found out that he passed away. In Sardinia however, he found two priests willing to serve as missionaries, Elzelario Boulliard and Alexandrino Serro. He asks PF for their missionary patents. In the dispatch that he expected to receive, he hoped to find the patents for these priests from the Father Provincial. He also asks patents for two other priests, Gio' Baptista Pisquedda and Michel Angelo Ledda. In three or four days he explects to return to Tabarca. The letter also notes that three years ago an 18-year-old Capuchin monk named Francesco della Pantelleria (the slave of Agimamamet Cogga, alias Filippo Delustria), renounced the faith. Di Seravezza ransomed him for 450 piastre. He promised to pay the money back to Di Seravezza who had lent it. In Pisa, Della Pantelleria gave it to Giouan Pagni. When Di Seravezza arrived in Genova he wrote a letter to Pagni asking him to give back the money. He said he gave the money to Antonio Maria Vintimiglia who will return the money to Tunis, so that Di Seravezza can give it back to his creditors.
Date discussed: 1671-08-06
Additional comments
Antonio Di Seravezza
APF SOCG 430, 250r-v
1671-01-11
Adressed to [PF]
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 41 305r, 330r-338r.
Copy; signed
Italian
Letter
735
Origin: Cagliari
Destination: [Rome]
Letter from Luigi Da Palermo to [the PF secretary, Federico Baldeschi], 1671-04-03, Tunis
Tunis
Ransom
Slaves (Christian)
Letter from Luigi Da Palermo to PF. He writes that Marcello Costa has arrived in Tunis. His presence was very necessary since there are only four priests and around 10,000 Christians in Tunis. It has not been easy to find a place for Costa to live, but eventually he was placed in the house of a gentleman from Ancona, who is a slave and waiting for his family to ransom him. It is also noted that it is hard to find enough funds to maintain these priests, and there is hardly any money to ransom slaves.
Date discussed: 1671-08-06
Additional comments
Luigi Da Palermo
APF SOCG 430, 221r-v
1671-04-03
Adressed to [the PF secretary, Federico Baldeschi]
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 41, 305r, 330r-338r.
Original; signed
Italian
Letter
723
Origin: Tunis
Destination: Rome
Letter from Luigi Da Palermo to PF, 1671-04-10, Tunis
Tunis
Ransom
Slaves (Christian & Muslim)
Renegades
Capuchins
Letter from Luigi Da Palermo (apostolic vicar in Tunis), on the case of Vincenzo Piccinini, who in 1661 brought 21 renegades with his ship to Rome. Piccinini also received 1,000 piastres from the Dey of Tunis in order to free a Turkish slave. However, when Picccinini returned to Tunis, he was enslaved himself. During his enslavment in Tunis, the Dey (who orginally gave him the money) and two of his heirs died, therefore they were unable to claim the money. Piccinini wants to use the 1,000 piastres to ransom himself. Luigi Da Palermo also writes about the suffering of the Christian slaves in Tunis, and that in some cases it would be relatively cheap to ransom a slave. He also reports that currently there are 3 priests in Tunis, among whom is Marcello Costa, who has just arrived.
Date discussed: 1671-06-15
Additional comments
Luigi Da Palermo
APF SOCG 428, 14r-v, 16v
1671-04-10
Adressed to PF
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 41 153r, 155r, 156r.
Original; signed
Italian
Latin
Letter
711
Origin: Tunis
Destination: Rome
Letter from PF to Luigi Da Palermo, 1671-05-15, [Rome]
Capuchins
Ransom
Slaves (Christian)
Trinitarians
Tripoli
Letter from PF to Luigi Da Palermo, missionary in Tripoli. In Tripoli PF has founded a mission of Reformed Friar Minors to help the Christian slaves. PF has written a letter to the Trinitarian Fathers to ask if they could try to ransom Vincenzo Piccinini. Da Palermo should either be granted more revenues (or should lower his expenditure), in order to have money to spend on ransoming slaves.
Additional comments
PF
APF Lettere 57, 51r
1671-05-15
Adressed to Luigi Da Palermo
For the mentioned letter to the Trinitarian Fathers, see: APF Lettere 57, 50v-51r (database item 858).
copy; unsigned
Italian
Letter
859
Origin: [Rome]
Destination: Tripoli
Letter from PF to the Procurator Generals of S. Francesca, S. Carlino, S. Dionisio and S. Adriano, 1671-06-15, [Rome]
Ransom
Tunis
Letter from PF to the procurator general of four churches in Rome: Santa Francesca, [now Santa Maria Nova?], S. Carlino [San Carlo alle quattro fonte?], S. Dionisio and S. Adriano [San Adriano al Foro?]. PF asks them to save Vincenzo Piccinini who has been kept a slave in Tunis for many years. PF asks that their priests will try to liberate him during their next mission.
Additional comments
PF
APF Lettere 57, 50v-51r
1671-06-15
Adressed to the Procurator Generals of S. Francesc, S. Carlino, S. Dionisio and S. Adriano
This letter is mentioned elsewhere, see: APF Lettere 57, 51r (database item 859).
copy; unsigned
Italian
Letter
858
Origin: [Rome]
Destination: [Rome]
Statement certyfing the Ransom of Luigi Da Palermo by Jean Le Vacher, 1671-06-26
Algiers
Ransom
Capuchins
Slave priests
Statement from El Sidy El Hagi Gigeri and Mehamet Langét. They state that they previously held Luis De Palermo [Luigi Da Palermo] as a slave, but that Juan Le Vacher [Jean Le Vacher] ransomed him for 650 pessas de ocho realles.
Date discussed: 1671-08-06
Additional comments
This is the evidence that Jean Le Vacher uses to prove to PF that it was him, and not somebody else, who ransomed Luigi Da Palermo.
El Sidy El Hagi Gigeri; Mehamet Langét
APF SOCG 430, 290r
1671-06-26
See for the discussion of this letter in PF: APF ACTA 41 305r, 330r-338r.
This document was sent by Jean Le Vacher to PF as proof that it was him who ransomed Jean Le Vacher. See for his letter: APF SOCG 430, 289r-v, 293r (database item 740).
Original; unsigned; stamps
Spanish
Statement
741
Origin: [Algiers]
Destination:
Statement from Jean Dubourdieu about the ransoming of Luigi Da Palermo, 1671-06-26, Algiers
Algiers
Capuchins
Ransom
Slave priests
Tunis
Statement by Jean Dubourdieu. He attests that Jean Le Vacher has ransomed Louis De Palerme [Luigi Da Palermo] for 650 piece de huit, on condition that he would administer the sacraments in Tunis for the duration of three years, in the position of provicar apostolic.
Date discussed: 1671-08-06
Additional comments
This is the evidence that Jean Le Vacher uses to proof to PF that it was him, and not somebody else, who ransomed Luigi Da Palermo.
Jean Dubourdieu
APF SOCG 430, 292r
1671-06-26
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 41 305r, 330r-338r.
This document was sent by Jean Le Vacher to PF as proof that it was him who ransomed Jean Le Vacher. See for his letter APF SOCG 430, 289r-v, 293r (database item 740).
Original; unsigned
French
Statement
743
Origin: Algiers
Destination:
Statement by Bernardus Maria, Joannes Cabrold, brother Emmanuel and Ludovicus Rodriguez, slave priests in Algiers, about the ransoming of Luigi Palermo, 1671-06-29
Algiers
Capuchins
Other religious orders
Ransom
Slave priests
Tunis
Statement by Bernardus Maria, Joannes Cabrold, brother Emmanuel and Ludouicus Rodriguez. These priests in Algiers attest that Joanne’ le Vacher [Jean Le Vacher] ransomed Ludouicu a Palermo [Luigi Da Palermo] for 650 scudi in Algiers in 1670. He can therefore administer the sacrements and fulfill other duties, during the next three years in the city of Tunis.
Date discussed: 1671-08-06
Additional comments
This is the evidence that Jean Le Vacher uses to proof to PF that it was him, and not somebody else, who ransomed Luigi Da Palermo.
Bernardus Maria; Joannes Cabrold, Emmanuel; Ludovicus Rodriguez
APF SOCG 430, 291r
1671-06-29
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 41 305r, 330r-338r.
This document was sent by Jean Le Vacher to PF as proof that it was him who ransomed Jean Le Vacher. See for his letter APF SOCG 430, 289r-v, 293r (database item 740).
Original; signed
Latin
Statement
742
Origin: Algiers
Destination:
Letter from Jean Le Vacher to PF, 1671-07-01, Algiers
Algiers
Ransom
Trinitarians
Tunis
Capuchins
Slave priests
Letter from Jean Le Vacher to PF. They probably know by now that Luigi Da Palermo has returned to Sicily, and has left the mission of Tunis. Le Vacher had ransomed him for 650 piastre and given him the position of provicar apostolic for three years. Now he is of the understanding that there is talk of Luigi being ransomed by others and not by him, and that he is therefore free to go wherever he wants. Because this is something other than what Le Vacher has told PF, he will show them proof. He also informs PF about the Trinitarian Bartolomeo Da Serrano, who did not want to show Le Vacher his faculties. Moreover he administered the sacraments in inappropriate places, and tried to stop Le Vacher going to the chapels that he administered. Because he could not solve the problem in a friendly way, he has decided to threathen Da Serrano with interdiction if he keeps administering the sacrements, and does not show his faculties.
Date discussed: 1671-08-06
Additional comments
Jean Le Vacher
APF SOCG 430, 289r-v, 293r
1671-07-01
Adressed to [PF]
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 41 305r, 330r-338r.
See for the statement of El Sidy El Hagi Gigeri and Mehamet Langét about the ransoming of Luigi Da Palermo, APF SOCG 430, 289r-v, 293r (database item 741).
See for the statement of a group of priests in Algiers: APF SOCG 430, 291r (database item 742).
See for the statement of Jean Dubourdieu, the consul of Algiers: APF SOCG 292r (database item 743).
Original;signed
Italian
Letter
740
Origin: Algiers
Destination: Rome
Letter from PF to Jean Le Vacher, 1671-08-03
Algiers
Capuchins
Slaves (Christian)
Tunis
Ransom
Letter from PF to Gio' Levacher [Jean Le Vacher], vicar apostolic of Algiers. PF understands that Le Vacher has always cared for the Christians who stay in the areas assigned to him. It is also well known to PF that Le Vacher has always tried to increase the esteem that PF has for him. Now they have come to understand that Le Vacher has ransomed Luigi Da Palermo (a Capuchin priest), at his own expense. It is believed that Da Palermo is very gifted, and he has not only been recommended by PF, but has also been assigned the cure of the slaves in Tunis. PF remind Le Vacher that he has to pay attention to the behavior of Da Palermo.
Additional comments
PF
APF Lettere 57, 88r
1671-08-03
Adressed to Jean Le Vacher
This is probably an answer to a letter by Jean Le Vacher, see: APF SOCG 429, 278r-279v (database item 716).
copy; unsigned
Italian
Letter
863
Origin: [Rome]
Destination: Algiers
Letter from PF to 'Abb'e Catalone', 1671-11-03, [Rome]
Algiers
Ransom
Slave priests
Slaves (Christian)
Trinitarians
Letter from PF to 'Abb'e Catalone.' Included in the letter is the report on everything that happened in Algiers between Bartolomeo Da Serrano (a Trinitarian), and the vicar apostolic; also added are the writings of the vicar apostolic and decisions of PF, on the behavior of the other Trinitarian priests. The report on what happened with the Trinitarian priests is as follows. For many years, PF has placed Barbery Gio' Levacher [Jean Le Vacher] a French CM priest, as vicar apostolic. With his zeal and with the assistance of the consuls of France, who are very powerful in the region, he has helped the poor slaves and those in the Catholic faith. Recently, he has written twice to PF, about the Trinitarians in his regions. The first time he wrote, he informed PF that the Trinitarians were ransoming slaves, administering confessions (and other sacraments) without his permission, or showing him a privilige or some other kind of faculty. Le Vacher asked PF how he should handle the situation, and PF decided that the Trinitarians should ask Le Vacher for his permission to administer the sacraments. The second time, Le Vacher informed PF about Bartolomeo Da Serrano (a Spanish Trinitarian), who stayed in Algiers, in order to administer the hospital of Christian slaves. Not only did he take confessions and administered the sacraments without asking permission or showing a faculty, but he also spoke to Le Vacher in a way that showed little respect for his office or position. Moreover, he kept the Holy sacrament in an indecent place, and also prohibited Le Vacher from entering chapels which he administered. It was not enough just to warn him, and during the heated conversations in which Le Vacher prohibited him under penalty of interdiction to administer the sacraments, Da Serrano behaved in the same manner. Based on this report PF decided to write to the Trinitarian father general, and order him to make his priests obey the vicar apostolic, who they should recognize as their superior. PF received a letter from four slave priests, in which they discussed the disregard Da Serrano has for the orders of the vicar apostolic, and the uprising of Spanish priests (orchestrated by Da Serrano), against the vicar; there has even been a song composed which sang about electing a new vicar apostolic. PF requests that the nuncio to Spain should force the Trinitarian father general to recall Da Serrano. He should also receive another punishment, in order to force the other priests to respect the authority of the vicar apostolic.
Additional comments
PF
APF Lettere 57, 119r-120v
1671-11-03
Adressed to 'Abb'e Catalone'
copy; unsigned
Italian
Letter
866
Origin: [Rome]
Letter from Jean Le Vacher to a Capuchin, 1671-11-13, Algiers
Tunis
Capuchins
Ransom
Slaves (Christian)
Letter from Jean Le Vacher to a certain member of the Capuchin order, in which he describes how he ransomed the Capuchin Luigi Da Palermo. Le Vacher used all his money so that Da Palermo could go and work in Tunis. Da Palermo promised to stay there for at least three years, but he left after only a few months, breaking his promise. Le Vacher now asks whether he can be sent back or whether another Capuchin can take his place. The letter dated 13 November 1671.
Date discussed [1672-05-30]
Additional comments
To this letter another letter was added (APF SOCG 433, 2r, 3v; not in this database), written by Marcello Costa and others on 25 December 1671, asking that Luigi Da Palermo be sent back to the mission because his work there was very beneficial for the mission and for the Christians in Tunis. That letter is signed by: Agostino Rossi, a slave priest, Giovanni Luca Bianco, priest, a free Frenchman De Lebar, someone called Picinino, the majordomo of the Bagno della Conceptione Giuseppe Benincasa, Giovanni Battista Brunelli, scribe of Agì Manet Celibi, and the scribe of the Bey, [Giuano?] Giustiniano.
Jean Le Vacher
APF SOCG 433, 1r-v
1671-11-13
Addressed to a Capuchin
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 42, 115r-v (database item 710).
Italian
Letter
652
Origin: Algiers
Destination: unknown
Letter from Michele da Santo Ludovico to PF [1671]
Tripoli
Ransom
Slaves (Christian)
Trinitarians
The procurator of the Trinitarian order Michele Da Santo Ludovico, writes that his order was founded in the times of Innocent III under the pretence to free Christian slaves. He reports that since their founding, they have done a lot for the church; recently Luca da S[anto] Gio[vanni] a theologist, and Vittore da Santo Paolo have been sent to Tripoli to help the slaves. They have been given various faculties in order to raise money for ransom.
Date discussed 1671-06-15
Additional comments
Michele da Santo Ludovico
APF SOCG 428, 85r-v, 86v
[1671]
Adressed to PF
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 41 153r, 162v-163r.
not signed
Latin
Letter
712
Origin: unknown
Destination: Rome
PF summary on the case of Luigi Da Palermo, [1671 or later]
Capuchins
Tunis
Corsairs
Ransom
Renegades
Slaves (Christian & Muslim)
PF summary on the case of Luigi Da Palermo, a Capuchin who left the mission of Tunis. The summary includes the viewpoint of both the Capuchin commissary of Sicily, Gioseppe d’Ica, and Luigi Da Palermo himself about his work as a missionary, and the reasons why he left Tunis to go to Rome.
Additional comments
PF
APF SOCG 461, 266r-v, 267r-v
[1671 or later]
Italian
Summary
658
Origin: [Rome]
Destination:
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:
Letter from Pallavicino to [the PF Prefect, Paluzio Altieri], 1675-05-27, Malta.
Conversion
Malta
Ransom
Slaves (Muslim)
Tunis
Letter from Pallavicino to PF Prefect. There has been some uproar in Barbaria, because of the voluntary conversion of two girls to Christianity. Because of the orders given to him by PF on 14 July 1672, he has informed PF about the situation in a letter dated 24 August. Now the woman (who has been taken slave for the second time), has returned, he has been able to talk to her. After many conversations she was willing to convert herself to Christianity, though she still had to return to Tunis to collect her ransom of 400 "di q'ta m'ta di rame." Whilst she wanted to live with her daughters in Malta but in freedom, Pallavicino is afraid that she will not keep her word.
Date discussed: 1676-02-04
Additional comments
Pallavicino
APF SOCG 457, 227r-v, 229v
1675-05-27
Adressed to [Paluzio Altieri]
See for the earlier letter to the provicar of Tunis: APF LETTERE 59, 36r (database item 607).
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 46, 20r, 24r-25r.
Original
Italian
Letter
793
Origin: Malta
Destination: [Rome]
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]
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 behalf of Luigi Da Palermo to PF, [1677, Rome]
Algiers
CM petitions
Corsairs
Ransom
Renegades
Slave priests
Slaves (Christian)
Tunis
Petition on behalf of Luigi Da Palermo to PF. Luigi Da Palermo has (previously in a long letter) explained himself, and now humbly returns to PF. He was made slave by Corsairs of Algiers, who was operating under the French flag. During a year in slavery he suffered a lot. He postponed his liberty for his companion, who was freed by the redemption priests from Spain. In Algiers, he worked day and night for the well-being of the poor Christian souls. Two heretics converted to Christianity because of his persuasion. A Dominican, who had fled to Oran (leaving his wife and children behind), converted himself. The patron of the bagno, offering many treasures, wanted him to convert, and also offered one of his daughters as wife. In the coming year, the French army arrived to negotiate peace. In this time, Da Palermo went to this patron, explaining his disgraceful situation, and asking for his liberty. This was agreed upon, and Da Palermo offered to work for the Christians in Barbary. Consequently he was appointed vicar apostolic and vicar general of Carthage by Gio' LeVascier [Jean Le Vacher], and this was also approved by PF. Upon arriving in Tunis he united and pacified the place, as can be understood from many accounts found in the letter sent to PF by the most important Christians in Tunis. Sent by PF, Marcello Costa has also recently arrived in Tunis as missionary. Two heretics wanted to convert to Catholicism, and whilst discussing the Holy faith with him, a Moor named Gerbino told Da Palermo told him that he wanted to become Christian; Da Palermo told him to go to Malta, and six other Moors converted to Christianity. Two obstinate Christians confessed to Da Palermo, that for years they did not live in good will. The following night, one killed the other with a knife. The murderer was sentenced to death. Many Christians ware amazed by Da Bologna, which was the reason that they lived more prudently. He paid 15 piastre for the burial of the body of the murderer, who had been stoned to death before. With great effort Da Palermo was able to baptize a child of a Christian slave, that she bore from her patron. Two months later the child died. Two Christian slaves had bought two Greek women and for a long time they treated them badly. Da Palermo made sure that they married them, and that they converted to Catholicism. Da Palermo made sure that the Dey, and others in Tunis would no longer destroy the churches. He told renegades that they knew what to do for eternal salvation, and the renegades promised to flee to Christianity. Da Palermo wrote their names down and promised them mild penance in Christendom. Da Palermo told the French consul, Gio' Ambrosini [Jean Ambrozin] that he could not just usurp the goods of the church. Le Vacher was given the order to investigate six complaints against Ambrozin. Le Vacher ordered Da Palermo to conduct the investigation, and Ambrozin yelled so loud that Da Palermo was forced to leave the case. A mother with two old spinsters from Corsica were made slaves. Da Palermo brought the missionaries together to pray to God to free these women. He entrusted their case to the Grand Duke of Tuscany. While Da Palermo was in Palermo, the Grand Duke gave 1,000 scudi to ransom all three. Filippo Brescia (a doctor in law from Trapane in Sicily), arrived in Tunis to convert to Islam. Da Palermo found him and brought him back to Christianity and went with him back to Christendom. There were also two free Christians, who had no money and could not pay for their return in Christendom. Da Palermo collected 60 piastre to make sure they could return home.
Da Palermo used to travel to where the bodies of St. Perpetua and St. Felicitas were, and thought to use 280 piastre that he had gained from giving alms. He was forced however to use the sum for the liberation of two young Spaniards, who were forced by their masters to convert. One of them had 200 piastre. Da Palermo brought in his 280, and the other 400 was lent from merchants. When Da Palermo left, they asked him to restitute the money. Da Palermo had received 200 piastre from the Bagno of Saint Francis. They were meant to buy vestments but Da Palermo gave them to the merchants. He also took 50 piastre from the bagnos of S. Lucy and S. Leonardo. He freed five Christians, and entrusted the two Spaniards to the viceroy of Sicily, asking him to pay back these churches. The viceroy promised to refund them, but when the troubles started in Messina, this was no longer possible. Da Palermo went to Rome to present the problems of the church to PF, but from there he was sent back to Palermo. It has been six years since Da Palermo has taken the money from the church, and he has been persecuted as a thief. In Palermo a complaint has been made in Spanish by Luis de Loyo (conservator of the royal patrimony in Sicily) on the 200 piastre of Pietro di Salorsano. Luigi Da Palermo does not ask anything for his works, but if he appears to be guilty, he should be punished; if he is innocent, it is not right that he is suffering. If he asks to return to the lands where his life is at risk every hour, he does this because he wishes to serve. Therefore PF should either decide to satisfy the churches, or the other one in Sicily.
Additional comments
The letter is undated, but Luigi Da Palermo left Tunis in 1671; which according to the letter was six years ago. That is why it should be dated around 1677.
Luigi Da Palermo
APF SC Barbaria 1, 435r-436v
[1677]
Adressed to PF
copy
Italian
Letter
888
Origin: unknown
Destination: [Rome]
Letter from Giovanni Battista Garbi a slave in Algiers to [the PF Prefect, Paluzio Altieri], 1677-05-20, Tunis
Algiers
Conversion
Poland
Ransom
Slaves (Christian)
Letter from Giovanni Battista Garbi to PF. The slave Gian Battista Garbi, who used to work in the service of Abbot Carlo Grapi in the court of his Eminence in Poland, threw himself at his knees before his Emminence. He begged his Eminence for some alms, in order to help him out of the infernal pains that he is suffering in slavery. His master is mistreating him, in order to make him a renegade of the faith of Christ, or to ransom himself. He is however not able to buy his own freedom, because his master asks for 400 scudi. For this reason he asks the viceroy and the mother of his eminence, to give him some alms to help his ransom. Garbi asks the nuncio to Spain to recommend him to the redemption Fathers, who come to Algiers to ransom slaves; they ask him to write down his name, Gian Battista Garbi Omperial, who is a slave in the baths of the Divan.
Additional comments
Gian Battista Garbi
APF SC Barbaria 1, 407r-408r
1677-05-20
[Adressed to Paluzio Altieri]
original; signed
Italian
Letter
886
Origin: Algiers
Destination: [Rome]
Summary of the case of Luigi Da Palermo, 1677-08-02, [Rome]
Capuchins
Conversion
Ransom
Slaves (Christian)
Tunis
Summary of the case of Luigi Da Palermo. The Capuchin Commissary General Gios'e Da Ica [Gioseppe Da Ica] has brought a case to PF against Luigi [Da Palermo]. He reports that Luigi did not live a good religious life, and that he took 250 piastre from the church. Luigi said he used this money to ransom two Spanish slaves, and because he feared punishment he fled from Palermo to Rome. He also claims that Gioseppe is persecuting him for private reasons, and that he actually spent the money to ransom Pietro De Salorsano and Giseppe Di Leona. He asks PF to investigate the case and protect his reputation. Luigi Da Palermo also presented a letter written by Luigi De Losio, but because he forgot his duty, he went to Sicily. PF decided in the meeting of 6 October 1671, in presence of the pope, to deprive Luigi Da Palermo of his active and passive voice. After this decision was passed down, Luigi Da Palermo has presented documents asking to restore his active and passive voice. Its noted that he had been forced to leave the mission for the following reasons: a) he had to protect and control the ransoming in his native Palermo; b) he had to bring Filippo Brescia from Trapani back to Christianity, as he had spontaneously travelled to Tunis to convert himself; and c) he has written to both PF and Levacher [Jean Le Vacher] for over a year, but has yet to recieve a response. He has started to believe that all his letters have been lost, therefore he believed it would be best for him to travel to Rome himself, leaving the city in the good hands of the other missionaries. The father general thinks that Luigi should be granted the grace he is asking for.
Date discussed: 1677-08-02
Additional comments
PF
APF SOCG 465, 225r, 234r-v
1677-08-02
This summary also appears in the ACTA: APF ACTA 47164r, 165v-167r (not in this database).
Italian
Summary
794
Origin: [Rome]
Defense of Luigi Da Palermo, [1677]
Capuchins
Conversion
Ransom
Tunis
Defense of Luigi Da Palermo, and the reasons why he had to travel to Palermo: a) to protect and control the ransoming of slaves in his native Palermo, as one can obtain in a letter sent to PF. He also had to bring the safe conducts from the customs to Palermo; b) to bring Filippo Brescia, a doctor who spontaneously went to Tunis to convert, safely back into Christendom. He also brought back with him to Palermo two Spanish slaves (ransomed fro 400 piastre), and he asks the viceroy for 250 piastre that he had previously lent the chruch of Tunis; and c) he felt obliged to go to Rome himself, because he never received an answer from the letters that he wrote for an entire year to Gio' le Vascier [Jean Le Vacher] and PF. The letters were about the children and women that were about to lose their faith.
Date discussed: 1677-08-02
Additional comments
Luigi Da Palermo
APF SOCG 465, 228r
[1677]
Adressed to PF
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 47164r, 165v-167r (not in this database).
Italian
Varia
796
Origin: unknown
Destination: [Rome]
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
PF minutes, 1678-03-29, Rome
Barbary (unspecified or several locations)
Capuchins
Slaves (Christian)
Ransom
Minutes of PF general meeting of 29 March 1678 discussing among other issues, a petition on behalf of the Venetian slaves in Algiers, Tunis and Tripoli. They ask that PF allow two Capuchins per city for the purpose of handling ransom money, because they have nobody from their own region on whom they can rely on. They currently have to do business with Jews, but this only makes the problems more difficult, instead of helping the slaves. The cardinals agree to the solution of sending two Capuchins per city.
Additional comments
PF
APF ACTA 48, 64r, 71v-72r, issue 19
1678-03-29
See for the petition discussed during this meeting: APF SOCG 468, 131r, 132v (database item 662).
Latin
Italian
Minutes
678
Origin: Rome
Destination:
Letter from Giuseppe Maria Da Bologna, Francesco Gatta and Vincenzo Da Frascati to Jean Le Vacher, 1678-05-03, Tunis
Tunis
Capuchins
Mercedarians
Other religious orders
Ransom
Slave priests
Slaves (Christian)
Letter Giuseppe Maria Da Bologna, Francesco Gatta and Vincenzo Da Frascati to Jean Le Vacher. Three days ago they received a letter from Jean Le Vacher, in which he asked them to inform him about the scandals that have been taking place in the church of Tunis. They had previously informed him of the problems, and had followed Le Vacher's instructions, by trying to alter the habits of some slave priests. The most troublesome of them is Antonio Calendino, who claimed to be a priest but had no papers to back this up. He himself told the missionaries that he had been in prison for four years in Naples, after being condemned for murder. The missionaries wrote to the archbishop for more information about Calendino, but they never received an answer. They allowed him to administer the sacraments, as they were afraid that if they did not allow this, Calendino would expel the missionaries from the mission with help from his patron Ali Bei. The problems with him grew worse, as his patron (who has good ties with the ruling house) used him as jester, singing and playing the guitar, whilst receiving women in his house. He was walking around the bagnos causing problems and disturbing the mass. They could not do anything against him because they did not want to be forced to leave, which would have resulted in the misson being abandoned. Eventually he was ransomed after committing more scandalous acts, and sent on a boat to Livorno. After his departure, other Christians told the missionaries admitted truths about Calendino, that are so scandalous that they cannot be possibly true; however they will leave them for what they are.
The second scandal was on 17 October 1679 when Diego d'Avalos (a Mecedarian priest from Cagliari also known as Padre Diego), was called by a woman and entered her house. When the husband returned he tried to kill Diego with a pistol, but the priest escaped; the two met again and this time the husband shot Diego. Three or four hours later after having confessed, he died. Another priest was wounded in the hand during the altercation, for which mass had to be suspended for a month. As he wanted to better his live, the mass was eventually returned to him, and now he is living quietly and devoutly. The third scandal was when a Minim pirest Felice Da Marta, was playing cards. He did this so often that he neglected his priestly duties. Sometimes he was playing from the evening till morning, and many Christians complained about this. Felice was lucky and won 80 pezze da otto from Giuseppe Calibrò, a Sicilian slave of the Pasha. But later Felice was forced to pay the slave the money back. Because the priest was not the slave of an influential person it was easy to aprehend him, and to forbid him to ever play cards again; from that moment on, he did not play anymore.
The fourth scandal involved another priest, Carlo Vella Maltese Zocerlante, who was already ransomed but had not yet returned home. One day he was playing carts with a Greek, Constanino, who had also been ransomed. They had a fight about the game and blood was spilled. The Greek went to the missionaries to complain. The Greek was imprisoned by the Bey, who the next day called on the cities priests (both missionaries and slaves), and asked them if it was legal for a priest to play cards. The response given to the Bey, is that it is not legal, and even strongly prohibited. The Bey handed over the priest so that he could be punished. Whilst the Greek was enslaved again, they chained the priest inside his Bagno. They were warned however that the Greeks were trying to enforce the Bey to enslave Carlo again, hence why they put him on an English ship travelling to Livorno. Whilst these are the most imported things that happened, they are not completely sure about the exact dates, and the precise circumstances. They ask Le Vacher to not send any more slave priests to them, unless they are found to be exceptionally useful.
Date discussed: 1682-09-30
Additional comments
Judging by a later letter from Jean Le Vacher, this letter was originally sent to Jean Le Vacher, who then sent it (together with his own letter) to PF. See APF SOCG 498, f. 178r-179r (database item 807).
Giuseppe Maria Da Bologna
Francesco Gatta, Vincenzo Da Frascati
APF SOCG 498, 177r-v, 180r
1678-05-03
Adressed to Jean Le Vacher
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 51, 279r (not yet in this database).
Original: signed
Italian
French
Letter
806
Origin: Tunis
Destination: Algiers
Petition on behalf of the Venetian slaves in Algiers, Tunis and Tripoli, [1678]
Barbary (unspecified or several locations)
Capuchins
Slaves (Christian)
Ransom
Algiers
Tunis
Tripoli
Petition on behalf of Venetian slaves in Algiers, Tunis and Tripoli. They ask that PF allow two Capuchins per each city to handle financial matters, as they have nobody from their own region who they can rely on for their ransom. At present they have to do business with Jews, and they claim this only icreases problems, as opposed to helping them. During their meeting of 29 March 1678 the cardinals agree to this request.
Dated discussed 1678-03-29
Additional comments
Venetian slaves in Algiers, Tunis and Tripoli
APF SOCG 468, 131r, 132v
[1678]
Addressed to PF
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 48, 64r, 71v-72r (database item 678).
Italian
Latin
Petition
662
Origin: [Algiers, Tunis and Tripoli]
Destination: Rome
Letter from Jean Le Vacher to [PF], 1679-05-30, Algiers
Algiers
Capuchins
Conversion
Corsairs
Ransom
Slaves (Christian)
Slave priests
Trinitarians
Tunis
Letter from Jean Le Vacher. From the letters he received from PF, he understood that there was no reason to hope that the loss of souls in Barbaria could not be solved, due to not receiving the sacrament of confirmation. The Holy Spirit will have to work by itself, because the infidels will not allow spiritual assistance. PF suggested that it might be easier if there was a bishop in Algiers, however the bishop would risk his life. He thanks PF for the medals and crucifixes that he received. During the last few years, PF made it clear that the Trinitarian Fathers are subjected to his, or actually the apostolic authority. He has heard though, that the Trinitarians are trying to obtain independence from his authority, from Rome. Le Vacher deems it necessary that PF gives him a decree, declaring that the Trinitarians living in Algiers are subjected to the apostolic authority. He is suprised by the great number of missionaries that PF sends to Tunis, as there isn't a need for them; the slave priests have already complained about this. One Capuchin missionary named Cherubino [Cherubino Da Frascati], returned to Marseille because of tension between the slave priests and the apostolic missionaries. The slave priests need the alms from the Christians, for their daily lives and to also ransom themselves. PF also wrote to them about the Neapolitan priests that PF sent to Tunis, and the required faculties. Le Vacher however, told them that their services were not needed in the city. Some days ago he received the confirmation of the peace with France. This means that the corsais will not take any more French prisoners, as they had done for some years with the French and English; they also took an Catholic Irish, which he will try to assist. He ransomed a young French woman for 1,000 scudi, who had converted to Catholicism, and was about to lose her honor and faith. He sent her to Nimes in France. Two other women (one from France the other from Denmark) were also ransomed by him for 2,900 scudi and 80 lire. One Englishman converted to Catholicism and some other English and Dutch slaves are considering doing the same.
Date discussed: 1679-09-11
Additional comments
Jean Le Vacher
APF SOCG 475, 119r-120r
1679-05-30
[Adressed to PF]
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
Letter
802
Origin: Algiers
Destination: [Rome]
Letter from Francesco Gatta to [PF pro-secretary, Edoardo Cibo] 1679-09-15, Tunis
Bizerte
Capuchins
Corsairs
Mercedarians
Ransom
Renegades
Slaves (Christian)
Slave priests
Tunis
Letter from Francesco Gatta to PF. It has been eight months since he warned PF about some the developments in the church of Tunis. The ship that brought this letter though was taken by Neapolitans and the letters were lost. He stated that the spiritual goings of the church were progressing well. There have also been a few heretics that converted to Catholicism. This success is the work of the Capuchin priest Giuseppe Maria Da Bologna, Vicenzo Da Frascati in Tunis, and Chrisostomo Da Genua in Bizerte. However, there are also people working against them, creating discord. Some clerics are doing things that are a disgrace for the Holy faith. One year ago, one Mercedarian Spanish priest was killed by a rennegade, because he found this priests at home with his wife. In this case a Sardinian priest was wounded. After this the Sardinian priest was suspended for some time, but has since now returned. There was another case of a priest from Calabria (who already returned in Christinianity), but was very impertinent whilst staying in Tunis. He bragged about having been an outlaw in the countryside, murders that he committed, and his years in jail in Napels. After a conflict with the provicar, the vicar of Algiers [Jean Le Vacher] decided that they had to make a report on the case. Eventually the provicar, Giuseppe Maria, was forced to make him leave, as he had threatened to convert to Islam. Another priest, De Minimi, used to play cards from early morning until late at night. He won 80 piastre from a Christian slave of the Bascia, who gave him 200 beatings with a cane. The priest gave the money back, however he was also canned and almost killed. While visiting Algiers, he saw that the vicar apostolic, Jean Le Vacher, had some problems with the slave priests as well; he was also French consul at the same time. It has been a few days since another priest, Father Zoccolante (who just ransomed himself), was playing cards with a Greek Catholic. They became involved in a fight, and were both beaten with a cane. The Greek slave brought the case before the Bey, who imprisoned the priest. All priests in the city (both missionaries and slaves), were consequently brought to him. First, he asked the group whether priests were allowed to play cards, and other things which he will not tell PF because he does not want to cause offence. Gatta told the Bey that it was prohibited, and that there are penalties in this life and the next. The king told Gatta to punish the priest, and Gatta made him the slave of the Bascia. The slave was brought to the Bascia, his clothes were taken away, and he was beaten. The priest was imprisoned in the bagno of the Dogana. When they warned him that the Bascia also wanted to enslave the priest, he was released and allowed to travel to Livorno on an English ship. It has been two days since he left. There has been a civil war in this country for three years between two brothers, and the whole area is divided into two parties. Whilst the troubles do not impede them to do their spiritual work, the only problem is travelling to other places. Every now and then, he does travel to these missions together with Vincenzo Da Frascati. They heard that the Capuchins in Tuscany might send new missionaries, and they will follow PF in every decision they make regarding this matter; they do ask PF to be cautious in sending new people to a war-torn area. /
Date discussed: 1680-04-08
Additional comments
Francesco Gatta
APF SOCG 478, 260r-261v, 263r
1679-09-15
[Adressed to PF]
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 50 98r, 112v-113v (database item 683).
Original: signed
Italian
Letter
804
Origin: Tunis
Destination: [Rome]
Letter from Vicenzo Da Frascati to [PF Secretary, Edoardo Cibo], 1679-09-16, Tunis
Capuchins
Conversion
Mercedarians
Ransom
Slaves (Christian)
Slave priests
Tunis
Letter from Vincenzo Da Frascati to PF. Since he returned to Rome, he wants to give PF some information on the state of the mission. They tried to keep all the Catholics in the church and convert others, however the Turks could not be converted. There were a few heretics that converted themselves to Catholicism, and also a few Christians that became Turks. Francesco Gatta (one of the missionaries), started a few annual spiritual events which turned out to be very fruitful. The reputation of the Christians is damaged by the scandalous behavior of the Christians, especially by the priest's. Da Frascati has been in Tunis for three years, in which there have been five slave priests who were all involved in a controversy. The first one was a Calabrese priest, he lost the trust of his superiors and started walking around in public with golden rings, and was spreading discord. At some point he ransomed himself and left for Christendom. The second one was a Spanish Mercedarian priest, he was not that bad, however he got killed at home by a woman with a gun. In this action, another Sardinian priest got wounded whilst trying to defend the Spanish priest. He is still at the mission and is behaving well. The fourth is a priest of the enemy, who was playing cards with a Christian slave. The priest won 80 piastre after which the slave was beaten with a cane. The last priest had also played cards, with a Catholic Greek. This caused a judicial case in which the vicar and the Bey of Tunis were also involved. Eventually the slave became a slave of the Bascia, and the priest returned to Christianity.
Date discussed: 1680-04-08
Additional comments
Vincenzo Da Frascati
APF SOCG 478, 259r-v
1679-09-16
[Adressed to PF]
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 50 98r, 112v-113v (database item 683).
Original; signed
Italian
Letter
803
Origin: Tunis
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]