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
Letter from the PF-secretary [Federico Baldeschi] to Jean Le Vacher, 1672-05-30
Algiers
Trinitarians
Excerpt from a letter from PF-secretary [Federico Baldeschi] to Jean Le Vacher. The father general of the Trinitarians will recall his priest Bartolomeo Serrano [Bartolomeo Da Serrano]. Also the priests are instructed to obey Jean Le Vacher, and they are not allowed to do anything without his permission. Jean Le Vacher states that what is said above, also appears in the original letters.
Additional comments
PF
APF SC Barbaria 1, 449v-450r
1672-05-30
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
896
Origin: Rome
Destination: [Algiers]
Letter from [Antonio Di Seravezza] to [PF], 1672-10-25, Algiers
Algiers
Franciscans
Seravezza case
Trinitarians
Letter from Antonio Di Seravezza to PF. He has previously sent two letters to PF, about the upheavels caused by Gio' LeVacher [Jean Le Vacher]. He knows that his latest letters reached their destination. He trusts in God that PF will understand the truth in these letters, and in the reply to the letter of Cardinal Altieri. He asks PF to pay attention to Barbary because Le Vacher is so dedicated to committing injustices there. If the letters that he sent PF cause any doubt about their legitimacy, he asks PF to request more information to the mendicant priests in Algiers.
Additional comments
The letter is probably written by Antonio Di Seravezza, as it was he who sent two letters earlier to complain about Jean Le Vacher, see: Barbaria 1, 176r-177v (database item 879) and APF SC Barbaria1, 180r-181v (database item 881).
[Antonio Di Seravezza]
APF SC Barbaria 1, 255r
1672-10-25
[Adressed to PF]
The two earlier letters mentioned are probably the following: APF SC Barbaria 1, 176r-177v (database item 879) and APF SC Barbaria1, 180r-181v (database item 881).
copy; unsigned
Italian
Letter
882
Origin: Algiers
Destination: Rome
Letter from the PF secretary [Federico Baldeschi] to Jean Le Vacher, 1672-04-30, Rome
Algiers
Tunis
Trinitarians
Copy of a letter from PF secretary [Federico Baldeschi] to Jean Le Vacher, stating that PF has received Le Vacher's letter of 30 December in which he writes about Luigi Da Palermo and Bartolomeo Da Serrano. PF has sent several orders to the superior general of the Trinitarians to recall Da Serrano from the mission. PF instructs Le Vacher to tell them that they should obey him, and that without his consent they are not allowed to be missionaries in the area. The letter dated 30 April 1672.
Additional comments
[Federico Baldeschi]
APF LETTERE 60, 35v-36r
1672-04-30
Addressed to Jean Le Vacher
Italian
Letter
608
Origin: Rome
Destination: [Algiers]
Report on the controversy around the Trinitarians in Barbary, [Rome]
Algiers
Trinitarians
Tunis
The Trinitarian procurator states that his order always has mantained hospitals in Algiers, founded at their own expense. From the Holy See they received privileges to find churches and administer the sacraments. They had been doing this for 16 years, when Gio Levacher [Jean Le Vacher] the vicar apostolic, wanted to change the title of the Church of the Holy Trinity to S. Louis; he also wanted to change the name of S. John of Malta to S. Roch. Because the priests protested against this, Le Vacher decided to remove the cross that was painted on the main altar, and the arms of the king of Spain on the door outside. Moreover, he also wanted to take the Holy sacrament from the churches. They ask PF not to harass the Trinitarian priests, and not to change their privileges because of the following problems: a) the hospitals are in the bagnos whose doors close at midnight, and it might be that during the night one of the patients needs the viaticum; b) the slaves want to confess and receive the eucharist, before going to the houses of their masters; c) there are 10,000 slaves, and in the chapel of the vicar there is only room for 12 people; d) during the day when the vicar is not at home the viaticum might be needed; and e) there could occur an incident with the sacrament, when bringing it from the house of the vicar, to the hospital. The Trinitarian Fathers base their priviliges on a breve from Clemens VIII of 31 August 1596, of Paul V of 8 February 1608 and on a confirmation of Pope [Innocens XII] of 27 June 1693. The first two popes gave the priests faculties for ten years. From Paul V onwards however they are without an extention, and not contain the privilege for celebrating mass twice a day. The breve of the pope gives the priests some faculties, but limits them by stating that they may not be contrary to the Holy canonics, and to the decrees of the council of Trento; according to the council, they should be submitted to the jurisdiction of the vicar apostolic. Moreover, when Clemens VIII and Paul V granted the faculties, they added a clause that shows that they did not want to undermine the ordinary authority. PF secretary adds that on 9 September 1652 they decided that Gio' Leuacher [Jean Le Vacher] could submit everyone (priests or captives) to his authority, with the faculty to punish them if necessary, in order to remove the abuses from the city of Tunis. [Philippe Le Vacher] then on 28 June 1660 reported the scandals commited by many priests (both slaves and free), pretending not to be submitted to his authority. That is why the vicar in Algiers, got the same faculties as those in Tunis. This was not yet enough to settle the conflict against the Trinitarians. On 28 February 1673 it was necessary to forbid the priests for some time (in particular one of the administrators Bartolomeo Da Serrano), to use the sacraments without the license of the vicar. Eventually Bartolomeo was recalled from Algiers. On 11 September 1679 the Trinitarians complained that first of all, the vicar apostolic [Jean Le Vacher] took their coat of arms from the hospital. Secondly, he forbade them to keep the Holy sacrament and thirdly, he forced them to accept heretic patients in the hospitals. For the first it was decided that the vicar should not do this again. For the third it was decided that the heretic patients should be kept apart from the Catholics. For the second PF wanted to know why the vicar decided to forbid this. PF forbade the Trinitarians, administrators, or any other priests of this order, to stay or exercise jurisdiction in that city without the permission of the vicar apostolic. On 3 February 1688 it was written to the Trinitarian superiors and the nuncio to Spain, that whilst the vicar had suspended some priests, the Father Antonio d'Espinosa (administrator of the hospital), had given the Trinitarians permission to celebrate mass in his chapel, and administer the sacraments. One of the priests was questioned about this, and said that he was free and not dependent on anyone. He said that the priests had their own privileges and could do whatever they wanted. The new vicar apostolic, D. Lorenzo, reported the same complaints against the Trinitariansto PF. The order however kept persisting in their independency from the vicar. The vicar consequently asked for a decree, ordering that the Trinitarians would be subjected to his authority despite their privileges. On 11 May [1644?] it was decided to renew this decree. After this, the Trinitarians sent letters to PF complaining about the new decree.
Additional comments
The document says that Jean Le Vacher brought the scandals to PF on 28 June 1660. There is no such document of his to be found. There is however (on this date), a discussion of complaints by Philippe Le Vacher (Jean's brother) see: APF ACTA 29, 157r, 162v-163r, issue 8 (database item 476).
[PF]
APF SC Barbaria 1, 54r-58v
no date
unsigned
Italian
Latin
Report
874
Origin: [Rome]
Letter from Antonio Di Seravezza to Jean Le Vacher, 1670-05-10, Marseille
Capuchins
Franciscans
Seravezza case
Slave priests
Tripoli
Algiers
Trinitarians
Letter from Antonio Di Seravezza to Gio'ni le Vacher [Jean Le Vacher]. He has most likely already heard about the abuse of the consul in Tunis, Gio' Ambrogini [Jean Ambrozin] towards not only Girolamo Da Sassari, but also to himself; Di Seravezza asked the consul to pay the church back the two piastre he has stolen from every ship for the last four years. He had also tried to burn Da Sassari and Di Seravezza, because the latter wanted the consul to change his dishonest life. In order to get justice, he has been forced to go to PF in Marseille, and he stayed there because of the death of Nostro Sig're. He made a statement before the court in Marseille and sent copies to the Grand Council, Monsù di Lion, and to Colbert. Its noted that he will go to Rome after he received their answers, and if they will not do him justice, he will make sure that the pope does. The superior of his own order and the superior of the Capuchins, have assured him that the mission of Tunis and Tripoli have been assigned to the Observants. After this news he has sent two priests to Tripoli, and two others are still waiting to go to Tunis. These superiors also wrote informing him that PF has sent him a letter written by Livorno, but he never received it. He has received letters from the Christians in Tunis who warned him about the complaints that [Jean Le Vacher] wrote about him and Da Sassari; Le Vacher believes that as they left those poor Christians behind, the mission should be assigned to Giuseppe Marini della Pantelleria [Giuseppe Merino], a slave of Mamet Goggia [Filippo Delustria?]. Di Seravezza though has forbidden this priest to say mass for several reasons: a) because he revealed the confessions; b) because he sold the sacrament of Penance; c) because he usurped the jurisdiction of the superior; d) because he married a couple (Catarina and Andrea), while the wife still had a husband; e) because of the business he did with jews; and f) because he helped the consul in his effort to burn Di Seravezza; in response, Di Seravezza states that he did not leave Tunis to abandon the church and the poor souls. The Christians sent him copies of the letters that Ambrogini [Jean Ambrozin] wrote, from this he has come to the understanding that the letters PF wrote to him were taken by Le Vacher. He asks Le Vacher to send the letters to him through Luigi Calaman. He will leave for Rome when he has sent the two priests to Tunis. After pleading his case in Rome, he will go to Tripoli via Malta, in order to inspect the church there, after which he will return to Tunis. He asks forgiveness for the harsh letter that he sent two years previously, which was in response to Le Vacher informing Da Sassari that he was vicar apostolic of the whole of Africa, and that he wanted to visit the churches of Tunis and Tripoli. Le Vacher should have known that the mission of Algiers is seperate from that of Tunis, however he should never have written to him in such a manner; Di Seravezza was also not a superior back then. Ambrogini [Jean Ambrozin] said that when he leaves Tunis, he will take 24,000 scudi with him, a ship full of items, and maybe also the tabernacle. Di Seravezza asks Le Vacher to send any letters for him to Luigi Calaman. Ambrogini [Ambrozin] states that the ships only give 64 aspri to the Chruch of S. Antonio, though everybody knows that it is actually two piastre; he asks Le Vacher to write a declaration of this, since he is well informed on this issue. He also wrote to Genova, Livorno and Malta, to ask for declarations.
Date discussed: 1670-11-10
Additional comments
Maybe the Nostro Sig're he talks about is Antonio Crocet, the representative of PF in Marseille. Or maybe the pope?
Antonio Di Seravezza
APF SOCG 424, 248r-v, 253r-v
1670-05-10
Adressed to Jean Le Vacher
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 39, 197r, 201r-202v (database item 669).
Original; signed
Italian
Latin
Letter
752
Origin: Marseille
Destination: [Algiers]
Translation of petition with five testimonies, 10-06-1679, Rome
Algiers
Conversion
Slaves (Christian)
Slave priests
Trinitarians
Petition with five testimonies. Bartolomeo Serrano [Bartolomeo Da Serrano] and Matteo Losana, are both discalced Trinitarians working in the Trinitarian hospitals in Algiers, who now claim their rights. Pope Clement VIII gave a papal bull to the Trinitarians (this was later confirmed by other popes), in which they were given various privileges, exemptions and liberties; they now ask for these privileges to be confirmed, and also for new privileges. First however, it is necessary to give information about the ongoing problems with a French priest, who calls himself vicar of Carthage [Jean Le Vacher]. Le Vacher impeded in various ways their assistance in the divine worship of the Spanish Catholics. He gave order that instead of peace, there would be unrest, giving hardship to all the Christians that could not celebrate the divine worship. They asked for testimonials to describe what actions Jean Le Vacher had committed, and how the two priests of the hospitals behaved in response. The case has been refered to Cardinal Massimi, a patron of the order, and he requested Pietro d'Aragona (in a letter dated 20 February 1677) to collect more information on the case; this was done by talking to former slaves who are currently staying at the court of Madrid, from both a religious and secular backgrounds. Their testimonies were shown to PF and to others to whom it might be necessary; this happened on 25 May 1677. The notary received in Madrid on 31 May 1677, a petition on behalf of Francesco Garcia from la Terra di Tineo in Asturië. He is the cook of the count of Umanes and is staying at his court. He left the court together with Lorenzo Santos Di San Pietro (councilor of the king of Castile), who went to the Canary islands as a judge and a visitor. Around 10 years ago, whilst they were returning to Spain, they were taken as slaves by Moorish Corsairs from Algiers. They stayed there for six years, and he worked in the hospital of San Giuseppe in Algiers, where he met Da Sarrano. He states that he always saw Sarrano working hard at the hospital. He also saw a French priest, who he thought was named Giovanni di Bachel [Jean Le Vacher] bothering Da Serrano, as he was frustrated with his religious work at the hospital. Le Vacher told the authorities that Da Serrano wanted to create an uprising, for which he was imprisoned. While Da Serrano was in prison for 13 days, Le Vacher took all the crosses, and the symbol of the Trinitarians, from the hospital. He also saw how Le Vacher forbade the slave priests to go to mass, and administer the sacraments for the sick Christian slaves without his license. He also forbade them to go to the feast of the patron saints of the hospitals, by sending Turks who said that they were sent by the French. He also forbade the administration of the sacraments, and took the eucharist from the hospital to his house. He did this so that everyone would need to go to his house. Le Vacher also wanted to keep the sick heretics and Lutherans in the same room as the Catholics. The second witness is Gio' Maria Sana [Giovanni Maria Sana] from Cagliari in Sardinia, but he is currently living at the court of Madrid. Around eight years ago this witness wanted to go from Sardinia to Napels, but was made slave by Moors from Algiers. They brought him to the city, where he was a slave for almost eight years. Last year in 1676, he was freed by Discalced Augustinians. Because he was sick, he stayed in the hospital of San Giuseppe, where he met Da Serrano. The witness saw how Da Serrano worked in the hospital, but was frustrated by a French priest who called himself vicar apostolic; in the petition he states that he does not remember the name of the French priest, but it is obviously Jean Le Vacher. He saw how Le Vacher gave orders to remove the coat of arms of the Trinitarians. He said he did this to replace them with San Louis, and other saints of his devotion. In order to do this, he had Da Serrano imprisoned by the Turks under the false pretense of wanting to cause an uprising. He forbade the slave priests from administering the sacraments in the hospitals, and allowed their masters to order these slave priests to work in the gardens. He forbade them to keep the sacrario in the chapels of the hospital, so that they had to go to the house of Le Vacher. Once, Le Vacher sent Turks to the feast of San Giuseppe to end the celebration. He also wanted to keep heretics and Lutherans in the same rooms as Catholics. The third witness is Giovanni Maria di Castello from Baiona in Galicia. In the year 1675 he was taken slave while returning from the Indies on the ship of Don Antonio Di Lima. He was brought to Algiers, where he remained a slave for 10 years and nine days. He knew Bartolomeo Da Serrano as well as Jean Le Vacher. He saw that on 25 November when Da Serrano was giving the general absolution, Le Vacher forbade him to do so, and told him that only he could do this. On another occassion, on the feast of San Giuseppe during the Holy sacrament, Le Vacher entered the chapel and said that he could not proceed. Da Serrano responded that they had always celebrated this way and that he (as a patron of the Hospitals and Chapels), did not have to answer to anyone else. Le Vacher angered by this, went to the Mohammedan Tribunal, and had the Turks and Moors stop the festivities. He also forced the Trinitarians to remove a painting of their order, and had it replaced with a painting of Saint Louis of France. After Da Serrano forbade this, Le Vacher went again to the Tribunal, and told the Turks and Moors that Da Serrano placed crosses in their country, and that he wanted to start a rebellion. All the crosses were consequently removed from the hospitals, and Da Serrano was thrown in prison were he stayed for 13 days. Le Vacher forbade anyone to administer the sacraments to the sick in the hospital, and to ensure that they would listen, he allowed their masters to have them work in the gardens. Together with the French consul, he tried to buy the hospital of San Giuseppe to turn it into a house for French merchants. They offered the Turks 800 pezzi to buy it, and whilst at first the Turks accepted, they later wanted to keep it for themselves. The Holy sacrament, that used to be kept in the hospital of San Giuseppe, was brought to the house of Le Vacher, a place full of Moors, Jews and Lutherans. Le Vacher also forced Da Serrano to accept a Lutheran among the Catholics. According to Da Serrano this was not possible, because it was against the rules of the order, and because one shouldn't place wolves among the angels; its noted that on one occassion whilst giving the Holy sacrament to a Catholic, a Lutheran nearby started to laugh. The fourth testimony is Gio' Garcia di Acevo, who is from the the archbishopric of Burgos in Saunus, and is currently staying at the court of Madrid. He has been in Algiers for 10 years, after he was taken as slave whilst travelling from Gilbraltar, with the provision for the soldiers of the king. In Algiers he met Jean Le Vacher, and when he went to the hospital of San Giuseppe, he also met Bartolomeo Serrano. Le Vacher was very close with the Turks and with their help, he had the crosses removed from the hospital of San Giuseppe, and also a painting of the mystery of the Trinity which was replaced with a painting of King Loius of France. Da Serrano was imprisoned for 13 or 14 days under the false accusation of wanting to cause a rebellion. Le Vacher forbade the priests to administer the Holy sacraments in the hospitals, forcing them to go to his house or the oratory. To make sure that they would obey, he had their masters make them work in the gardens. Le Vacher also tried to buy the hospital of San Giuseppe from the Turks. He tried to place infidels and sectarians in the same hospital rooms as the Catholics; usually the infidels were kept apart, in order for them to be converted more easily. Jo Giovanni Di Cabredo, the apostolic notary and archivist of the audience and tribunal of the nunciary in Spain, signs this in Madrid on 5 June 1677. The notaries Antonio Del Sola, Pietro Bermejo and Francesco Gutierrez do the same. Claudius Franciscus Louvet translated this from Spanish to Italian in Rome, on 10 June 1679 with his own hand.
Date discussed: 1679-09-11
Additional comments
Giovanni Di Cabredo
Claudio Francesco Louvet
APF SOCG 475, 101r-111v
1679-06-10
[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).
See for the Spanish original: APF SOCG 475, 113r-114v, 117r-118v (database item 801).
Contemporary translation
Italian
Latin
Statement
800
Origin: Rome
Destination: [Rome]
Petition on behalf of Domenico Jafurt to PF [1671]
Algiers
Trinitarians
CM petitions
Domenico Jafurt the procurator general of the Trinitarians, responds about the case of Bartolomeo Da Serrano, who works in Algiers without a license from the vicar apostolic [Jean Le Vacher]. Jafurt states that Bartolomeo does have permision to do this. To be sure however, he has sent a letter to the provincial superior in Castille, to ask for further information.
1671-07-22
Additional comments
Domenico Jafurt
APF SOCG 429, 91r-92v
[1671]
Adressed to PF
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 41 199r,211r-212v.
See for the complaint of Jean Le Vacher: APF SOCG 429 90r, 93v (database item 713).
Not signed
Italian
Petition
714
Origin: unknown
Destination: Rome
Petition on behalf the Trinitarian Procurator General, Domenico [Taffuri?] to [PF], [1673]
CM petitions
Trinitarians
Tunis
Petition on behalf of Domenico Jafurt, Trinitarian procurator general. From the letters sent by [Bartolomeo Da] Serrano, one can understand that things are described very differently, than how the Vicar General of Carthage [Jean Le Vacher] presents them; its believed that the charges pressed against Da Serrano are motivated by hate, and not by zeal. That is why Da Serrano sent his writings ( which were also confirmed by testimonies) to PF. They want PF to do something about the scandals that have happen especially against the hospital, and they are protected by the Spanish king and the Trinitarians. The vicar of Carthage [Jean Le Vacher] and the consul [Jean-Armamd Dubordieu] are both French, and are believed to be working together against Da Serrano.
Date discussed: 1673-02-28
Additional comments
Domenico Taffuri
APF SOCG 438, 469r
[1673]
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: ACTA 43, 44-47r.
Original
Italian
Petition
771
Origin: unknown
Destination: [Rome]
Petition on behalf of Trinitarian procurator of Castile, Leon and Navarra, Ferdinando Di Alaba to PF, [1679]
Algiers
CM petitions
Slaves (Christian)
Slave priests
Trinitarians
Petition on behalf of the Trinitarian procurator of Castile, Leon and Navarra, Ferdinando Di Alaba. The Trinitarians have five hospitals in Algiers. Here, the priests do not only take care of the slaves, but they also preach the gospel, celebrate mass, administer the sacraments of Penance, Eucharist (and others), teach the basics of the faith to the children, and they ransom slaves. This mission in Algiers has been going on for more than 70 years, but recently it has been disturbed by a French priest, Gio' Bacher [Jean Le Vacher]. He claims to be vicar apostolic of Carthage and Tunis, but has never shown any document or patent from PF proving this. Le Vacher takes the privileges from the priests, forbids them to administer the sacraments for the slaves, and removed the coat of arms of the Spanish king, the protector and patron of the hospitals, the crosses, and the sign of the Trinitarians from their walls. He also took the Holy sacrament from the churches of the hospitals, as he wants to keep it in his own house, which is full of merchants, Muslims, Jews, Lutherans and other sectarians. The priests who had to get the bread ran the risk of being too late, and being insulted by the unbelievers. Le Vacher also placed sick heretics in the same rooms as Catholics, which is a practice they have never followed. He forbade the slave priests to say mass in the hospitals, and instead made them do it in his house; when they protested, he let their Turkish patrons lock them up. One of the priests from the hospital [Bartolomeo Da Serrano] protested against this, after which he was brought before the Muslim court on the false accusation of trying to create an uprising; this was viewed as a scandal by both the Christians and Moors. Ferdinando asks PF to either give the priests the title and faculties of vicar apostlic in the hospitals, so that they will no longer be subject to the jurisdiction of Le Vacher.
Date discussed: 1679-09-11
Additional comments
There is also a different version of this document from the same ACTA: APF ACTA 475, 100r-v, 121v.This one ends slightly differently: "del d’o Gio’ le Vacher, ò pur’/ ordinar’ al med’mo che non s’entrometta in cos’alcuna circa l’am/ministratione delli d’i Hospedali, ne sopra le persone esistenti in/ essi, ma ne lasci la cura alli d’i Amministratori, ò quello che pare/rà all’EE.VV. Quas Deus etc. "
Ferdinando Di Alaba
APF SOCG 475, 99r, 122v
[1679]
Adressed to PF
In this ACTA there are two versions of this file, for the other, see: APF ACTA 475, 100r-v, 121v.
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 49, 205r, 214r-218v, issue 18 (database item 681).
Original
Italian
Petition
799
Origin: unknown
Destination: [Rome]
Letter from Jean Le Vacher to the PF Prefect [Paluzio Altieri], 1681-08-29, Algiers
Algiers
Capuchins
Slaves (Christian)
Trinitarians
Tunis
Letter from Jean Le Vacher to PF. Some days ago he received a letter from a CM superior in Rome, from which Le Vacher understood that Altieri believed that he had extended his jurisdiction over Tripoli, where he had sent a censure of excommunication. PF asked him with a letter dated 30 April 1680, to remedy some problems with Greek slaves in Tripoli, who exercised ecclesiastical functions and administered the sacraments. He has done nothing else, and would not have done anything were it not for PF's request. Later the superior of the house in Rome wrote to him again, informing him that there had been a request to declare Gasparo Stella missionary apostolic in Algiers, and that PF had requested Le Vacher's opinion; so far, he has not yet received a reply. He does however, have a great need of help in the spiritual care of the Christians. His old age and continuous illness has deprived him of the consolation of saying mass, and impeded him to send PF reports on the mission regularly. Therefore, he asks PF to send the new missionary as soon as possible. A French merchant wrote to him some time ago from Tunis, that a group of Capuchins arrived in the city. He had problems allowing there presence, as he (nor Le Vacher) knew that they were coming. Now Le Vacher asks PF what he should do with these Capuchins. In the kingdom of Tunis there is also a place called Capo Negro, which has recently been inhabited by the Genoese. A Trinitarian from Messina fled from Sicily without permission and arrived in Tunis, where Le Vacher forced him to leave as well. He took refuge in Capo Negro, where he is exercising sacerdotal functions. He already asked the governor of this place twice, to make this priest return to Christendom. He asks PF to tell him whether he has jurisdiction over Capo Negro or not, so he is aware of what he is allowed to do.
Additional comments
Jean Le Vacher
APF SC Barbaria 1, 511r-512r
1681-08-29
Adressed to [PF]
For the FP letter that Le Vacher did not receive yet, see: APF LETTERE 70, 43r-v (database item 642).
original; signed
Italian
Letter
901
Origin: [Algiers]
Destination: [Rome]
Letter from Jean Le Vacher to PF, 1680-09-30, Algiers
Algiers
Slaves (Christian)
Trinitarians
Tripoli
Letter from Gio' LeVacher [Jean Le Vacher] to PF. He received the letter sent by PF dated 10 April 1679, only on 10 September this year. In this letter PF tells him to instruct the Christians in Tripoli to only take the Holy sacraments of their own Catholic priests, and not with the Greeks who pretend to be allowed to administer them. For the execution of this order they have sent a ship to Tripoli, and they hope that their orders will be obeyed. A few months ago Le Vacher already informed PF about the medals and crucifixes they had sent him. Now he does this again, since he is not sure that his letter has arrived. He distributed them among the poor slaves, and they are a great comfort to them. With the Trinitarians who have arrived from Spain he has a good relation. He has maintained their hospitals for eight months, whilst he was waiting for them to arrive. When two Trinitarians were called back to Spain, he made sure that one of them was allowed to stay.
Additional comments
Jean Le Vacher
APF SC Barbaria 1, 480r-v
1680-09-30
Adressed to [PF]
The earlier letter Le Vacher sent thanking PF for the received medals and crucifixes probably also arrived, see: APF SOCG 475, 119r-120r (database item 802).
original; signed
Italian
Letter
898
Origin: Algiers
Destination: [Rome]
Letter from Jean Le Vacher to PF, 1680-06-08, Algiers
Algiers
Slaves (Christian)
Trinitarians
Letter from Gio' le Vacher [Jean Le Vacher] to PF. From the missionaries of Rome, he received many medals that PF had given him to distribute among the slaves, in order to keep them devoted. They are a great consolation to the slaves, especially now that the war between two Bey brothers is tearing the region apart. As the indulgences conceded to the chapels have expired, he asks PF to renew them. They are for the following chapels: S. Louis of France for its celebration, and for those of S. Anthony Abbot, S. Croce, SS'ma Trinità, l'Immacolata Concezione della B.V., Saint Sebastian, S. Giuseppe, S. Carlo Borromeo, S. Francesco d'Assisi, la Madonna del Carmine, la Madonna del Rosario, S. Rocco, S. Caterina V. e M. and S. Rosalia l'annunziata. The Trinitarian Fathers have once again arrived from Spain, and have been instructed by their provincial Father to be subject to the authority of Le Vacher. Now they are writing each other letters, despite Le Vacher trying to help them; he has been maintaining their hospitals for eight months now, and is waiting for help from Spain.
Additional comments
Jean Le Vacher
APF SC Barbaria 1, 467r, 469r
1680-06-08
Adressed to [PF]
original; signed
Italian
Letter
897
Origin: Algiers
Destination: [Rome]
Letter from Jean Le Vacher to PF, [1679, Algiers]
Algiers
Slave priests
Slaves (Christian)
Tunis
Trinitarians
Letter from Jean Le Vacher to PF. Some days ago Le Vacher received a letter from CM priests, one dated 16 May, and the other of 24 May; the letters listed the many complaints that the Trinitarians have brought against him. They want to be free from his authority (or better the authority that PF has bestowed upon him), as one can understand from the PF letters he attached. The Trinitarians wanted to bring complaints against him to PF. Le Vacher protests, saying that none of the issues are true. Neither could do this, without first sending someone to Algiers to collect the testimonies of the Christian slaves. He still hopes to send these in written form. He was suprised by the Spanish Trinitarians who he has always helped, as he gave them the greater part of the things they needed, and medicines and sheets from France. He maintained their hospitals for two years at his own expense, and sent a Neapolitan priest there to assist them in their work. During this time, the Trinitarian priests never wrote to him, or sent him money for the maintainance of the hospital. He is astonished by their lack of gratitude to bring these lies to PF against him. They only brought these complaints against him because they want to be free from his authority, to which PF had submitted, as one can read from the attached letters. He also feels obliged to inform PF, that the Trinitarian priests usurped the chapels of the baths of Algiers, without any foundation. Le Vacher always protested against these practices for two reasons: a) there is no legitimate basis whatsoever; and b) if they succeed in usurping these chapels, they will take the best in the city. This would mean that the poor slave priests can no longer collect charitable aid, which is needed to pay their infidel masters three pezze da otto reali every month. A certain Trinitarian named Father Bartolomeo Da Serrano has written to Le Vacher multiple times for this reason. He has attached these letters. Da Serrano had written the cross (the arms of the Trinitarians), on a picture that Le Vacher had made two years before Da Serrano's arrival in the bagno of the king. As Da Serrano had this picture placed above the Eternal Father and Jesus Christ, and not at their feet, he had it removed. After this Da Serrano told Le Vacher that he was the owner of the bagno, the altar and the picture. Da Serrano wanted to start a process against Le Vacher in Madrid, however because their claims were disputed, they brought their case to Rome. If PF would decide to free the Trinitarians from the authority of the apostolic vicar, it would make this position meaningless. Two Trinitarians that came to this city last year showed the patents from their provincial father. Because in these letters there was nothing said about the authority of the apostolic vicar, he tore them apart in their presence. He told them that they had six months to get new letters, in which his authority would be respected. He also suspended them from the administration of the sacraments. One of these priests died of the plague, the other was also afflicted but soon recovered and lived, but did not set a good example. Some time ago, he wrote to Spain asking for a substitute for the other priest. This priest tried to introduce in the hospital of the bagno of Chelibis, the veneration of saints connected to his order. He removed the pictures of saints and replaced them with one of San Roch. The Trinitarian procurator general in Rome, Ferdinando de Alaba, stated in his memorial, that the Trinitarians have had the hospitals in their possession for 70 years. He also stated that those who have been sent there are preachers, that taught children the basic principles of the faith. This is not true as they only had the hospitals from July 1663, when they were given to them by a hermit of St. Anthony of Malaga, Ermanno Pedro de la Conceptione. From alms he collected 45 or 50 thousand pezze d'otto reali. The Trinitarians take two or three thousand every year, of which they use around one thousand for the maintenance of the hospitals. For two years they did not even take care of the hospitals at all, and Le Vacher had to pay for them himself. For five or six months now, they are living on the money that the administrator takes from the poor slaves. He tells them, unjustly, that the king of Spain maintains these hospitals. Also, these priests never taught the Christian doctrine to the children in this city, because the Turks will not allow it. Moreover, most administrators are not very educated in theology, the Holy scripture, and morality. The hermit Ermanno Pedro (the founder of the hospitals who got burned at Algiers for the Holy faith), left the hospitals to the Trinitarians of Madrid, as appears in the deed made in Madrid at 2 July 1663. He wanted the money to be kept in a safe that he called 'Archivio Serrata' with two keys, one kept by Jean Le Vacher (or later vicar apostolics), and the other by the Trinitarians. The bills should have been checked by Jean Le Vacher, however there hardly comes any money from Spain, and the money that arrives, is used by the administrator for other purposes. The Trinitarians should send some priests that are more capable and more experienced. Even though the Trinitarians never show any gratitude, Le Vacher has always remained polite. Le Vacher asks PF to obtain the faculties of vicar apostolic from the pope, or to send him a confirmation of his position as archbishop of Carthage. Because he cannot show that he is vicar apostolic, the Trinitarians think that he is usurping this title.
Additional comments
This case takes place around 1679, therefore it is dated in this year, see: APF SOCG 475, 93r-98r, 124v (database item 798).
Jean Le Vacher
APF SC Barbaria 1, 445r-448r
[1679]
Adressed to [PF]
For the attached PF letters, see: APF SC Barbaria1, 449r (database item 894), APF SC Barbaria1, 449r-v (database item 895) and APF SC Barbaria1, 449v-450r (database item 896).
copy
Italian
Letter
893
Origin: [Algiers]
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 Jean Le Vacher to [the PF secretary,Francesco Ravizza], 1674-05-31, Algiers.
Algiers
Barbary (unspecified or several locations)
Capuchins
Conversion
Slave priests
Slaves (Christian)
Trinitarians
Tunis
Salé
Letter from Gio' Le Vacher [Jean Le Vacher] to PF. From the letter that PF has sent to him, Le Vacher understood that PF has been very surprised that he already paid Marcello Costa (who is going to be a missionary in Bizerte), the 30 scudi that was promised by PF. Because of the financial difficulties of Costa, Le Vacher did not only have to give him the money, but also clothes. Le Vacher does not think that Costa did any wrong by staying in Tunis for some time, since there was a great need of priests. There are many poor Christian Catholics in this city, while in Bizerte, there are mostly heretics or scismatics. Now that the two Capuchins sent by PF have arrived in Tunis, he will make sure that Costa will leave for Biserte. Le Vacher asks PF to refund the money to the superior of the CM house in Rome. Now, he will inform PF about the state of Christianity in these regions. They try to cultivate the word of God in as good as manner as possible, and because of the sacraments, most people remain true to the Holy Faith. Moreover, several German, Dutch and Swedish heretics have converted. However, it is true that they lose more souls than they win. Young people have converted in their greatest numbers, mostly because the Mercedarian priests from Spain and Portugal have not been visiting for two years. In Algiers there are 25 slave priests (regulars as well as seculars), who are all in need of help, due to their poverty. In Tetouan there are two priests, there is one at Fes, and at the moment there are none at Sale. When he finds someone to send there, he will inform PF.
Additional comments
Jean Le Vacher
APF SC Barbaria 1, 308r-309v
1674-05-31
[Adressed to Francesco Ravizza]
copy; signed
Italian
Letter
884
Origin: Algiers
Destination: Rome
Letter from Jean Le Vacher to PF, 1672-08-01, Algiers
Algiers
Bizerte
Capuchins
Jesuits
Slave priests
Trinitarians
Tunis
Letter from Giovanni Le Vacher [Jean Le Vacher] to [PF]. According to the letter from 14 March 1671 he had to find a priest for Bizerte. He has found no-one more capable for the task than Marcello Costa, who is currently staying in Tunis. It is not necessary for him to stay there since they already is a Jesuit, a Capuchin, and some slave priests. It is up to PF to decide how much he should be paid for this work. He has heard that there are two priests in Tunis (Costantino Grillo and Michele Lipari), who wear clothes that they are not allowed to wear. Worse still, they also celebrate mass, which they are not allowed to do so. Le Vacher asks [PF] to do something about this case. He also reminds PF that Bartolomeo Da Serrano (a Spanish Trinitarian), is still staying in Algiers and does not want to accept the authority of the vicar apostolic, even though his superiors asked him to do so. PF decides to give Marcello Costa 30 scudi a year, for three years.
Date discussed: 1673-02-28
Additional comments
Jean Le Vacher
APF SOCG 438, 465r, 466r-v, 467v
1672-08-01
Adressed to PF
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: ACTA 43, 44r-v.
See for the mentioned letter from PF: APF LETTERE 59, 12r (database item 606).
Original; signed
Italian
Latin
Letter
769
Origin: Algiers
Destination: Rome
Petition on behalf of Jean Le Vacher to PF [1671]
Algiers
Trinitarians
Mercedarians
Jean Le Vacher reminds PF about the issue of Trinitarian and Mercedarian priests performing missionary activities on the basis of their privileges, but without appealing to him first. Bartolomeo Da Serrano is one of these Trinitarian priests who works in a Trinitarian hospital in Algiers. He administers the sacrements not only to the patients of the hospital but also to anybody else. Le Vacher asks what should be done about the situation.
1671-07-22
Additional comments
The decision in APF ACTA 41 199, 211r-212v (database item 715) is that the secretary and cardinal [Orsini] have to decide to whom they should give the faculties, according to the law.
Jean Le Vacher
APF SOCG 429, 90r, 93v, 94v
[1671]
Adressed to PF
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 41 199r,211r-212v.
See for the explanation of the procurator general of the Trinitarians: APF SOCG 429, 91r-92v (database item 714).
See for the earlier letter that Jean Le Vacher sent PF about Da Serrano: APF SOCG 289r-v, 293r (database item 740).
Not signed
Italian
Latin
Petition
713
Origin: [Algiers]
Destination: Rome
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 Jean Le Vacher to PF, 1671-01-20, Algiers
Algiers
Capuchins
Conversion
Slaves (Christian)
Trinitarians
Tunis
Slave priests
Letter from the vicar apostolic in Algiers Jean Le Vacher, who writes that he has ransomed a Capuchin (Luigi Da Palermo) for 677 scudi, and that he sent him to Tunis to help the people there. Luigi Da Palermo has also written to Le Vacher about an Ethiopian slave named Stefano, who endures many beatings because he does not want to renounce his faith; it would cost 177 piastre to free him. Jean Le Vacher also writes that the Christians live virtuously, which has motivated some heretics to convert. The slave priests there need three piastre a month in order to be able to feed and dress themselves. The slaves from the Papal States have no hope of being saved, while slaves from other areas are regularly ransomed; for instance, there are many Trinitarians from Castile, Andalusia and Flanders who ransom people from their own areas. Because of their hopeless situation, the slaves from the Papal States are tempted to renounce the faith. Some declared themselves subjects of the king of France so that they could be ransomed. PF decides that Cardinal de Maximus will give money to the Trinitarians, so that they can free Stefano and other Christian slaves from the Papal States.
Date discussed: 1671-08-03
Additional comments
Jean Le Vacher
APF SOCG 429, 278r-279v
1671-01-20
Adressed to PF
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 41, 243r, 252r-v.
There is a letter by PF which is probably the response to this one, see: APF Lettere 57, 75r (database item 863).
Original; signed
Italian
Latin
Letter
716
Origin: Algiers
Destination: Rome
Petition on behalf of Jean Le Vacher, [1670]
Algiers
CM petitions
Discalced Carmelites
Mercedarians
Trinitarians
Tunis
Petition on behalf of Gio' il Vacher [Jean Le Vacher]. There are priests of the Redemption Orders in Algiers and Tunis who grant indulgences, resolve reserved cases, say mass outside the chapels wherever they want, administer the sacraments, and preach according to the privileges that they claim to have, but which they refuse to show. On one hand Le Vacher does not want to stop them from the work they are doing, but on the other hand he also wants to fulfill the obligations that PF has given him. That is why he asks PF if he should ask them to show their privilges, or whether he should allow them to work as they already do. Summary on the back. According to the secretary of PF [Federico Baldeschi] there has been a similar case before, in which Discalced Carmelites worked in the Scottish mission under the authority of the Custodian of the Holy Land; it was decided that the priests had to show their patents. For the question whether they should receive the license or not, it was decided that they should be allowed to work as priests. PF decides to hear what the superiors of the Trinitarians and the Mercedarians have to say regarding the matter.
Date discussed: 1670-11-10
Additional comments
Date based on the date of the discussion of this document in PF.
Jean Le Vacher
APF SOCG 424, 265r, 266v
[1670]
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 39, 197r, 203v-204r, issue 19 (database item 671).
See for the anwer of PF to Jean Le Vacher: APF LETTERE 55, 73v (database item 597).
See for the letter of PF to the superiors of the Trinitarians and Mercedarians: APF LETTERE 55, 76v (database item 602).
copy; signed; undated
Italian
Latin
Petition
756
Origin: [Algiers]
Destination: Rome
Letter from Lorance to PF, [Algiers]
Algiers
Ransom
Slaves (Christian)
Trinitarians
Letter from Lorence, vicar apostolic, to PF. Last September Lorence sent two priests away. One of them is member of the Trinitarian order, and is named Gioan Antonio Vello. He had been the administrator of the hospital for nine years. At the end of his time, he had aquired a debt of 40,000 otto reali, though there were not any specific reasons for such spending; the only reason seems to be that he was involved in commerce. In Spain there is a priest of the same order, who paid a big part of the debts of Vello, through his fortune aquired in the wool industry. After this, Vello was sent to Spain. He later returned to Algiers were he organized great banquets for his friends, which caused a big scandal. The other priest is a certain Giovanni di Santa Maria, a Minor Observant. He once released 38 Portuguese, five of whom died, and the others left together with Giovanni to Livorno, on 23 November of this year. This all happened thanks to the king of Portugal who gave Lorence and the English consul 12,968 pezze da otto. Giovanni had debts for around 3,000, but they paid some creditors so that he and the freed slaves could leave. However, both Giovanni and Vello lived scandalous lives, and tried to take possessions from the slaves. Lorence asks PF to impede their return, and to write to the king of Portugal. There are still 11 Algerian vessels that raid other ships, and most raids happen on the oceans, and not in the Mediterranean.
Additional comments
Lorence
APF SC Barbaria 1, 71r-72v
no date
[Adressed to PF]
original; signed
Italian
Letter
876
Origin: [Algiers]
Destination: Rome
Letter from Marcello Costa to the PF prefect [Paluzio Altieri], 1674-04-12, tunis
Bizerte
Capuchins
Petitions for missionary patents
Trinitarians
Tunis
Letter from Marcello Costa to PF prefect. In a letter from 30 September 1673 PF asked him to help two Tinitarians, Francesco Arendieta and Francesco Ruiz; they are still in Tabarca, but will need to be supported once they arrive. On 5 March two Capuchins arrived, Carlo D'Ancona and Vincenzo Da Frascati. The first has become provicar apostolic of Tunis. Costa himself also undertakes many missions because the two brothers mentioned above, are not able to ride on horseback, and are also not familar with the countryside. Levacher [Jean Le Vacher] has given Costa the patents for the provicariate of Bizerte, which began last October for the duration of three years. He asks PF to send him a confirmation of this position, and sends a copy of his patents to PF. PF granted Costa an annual provision of 24 scudi which is ending in August; this is why he asks PF to prolong the provision for five years. He needs the money for his living, but also for a man who assists him in his work. Besides the expenses for horses, he is also very sorry that he did not buy a habit for himself. He did not slow down his work once the other brothers arrived, as there are still many missions to do. Serving in the bagnos is a pleasant activity, but travelling on horseback for 50 or 60 miles through harsh conditions is the harder and realer part of the mission; he risks his life travelling around, and is forced to sleep on the ground between the animals.
Date discussed: 1674-06-26
Additional comments
Marcello Costa
APF SOCG 448, 140r-v, 145r-v
1674-04-12
Adressed to Paluzio Altieri
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 44, 170r, 185v-186v, issue 39 (database item 672).
This is a response to a letter from PF which is also mentioned by Costa, see: APF LETTERE 62, 86r (database item 618).
See for the copy of Marcello Costa's patents as pro-vicar of Bizerte: APF SOCG 448, 142r (database item 781).
Original; signed
Italian
Letter
780
Origin: Tunis
Destination: [Rome]
PF minutes, 1659-04-26, Rome
Algiers
Trinitarians
Other secular missionaries
Minutes of PF general meeting of 26 April 1689 discussing among other issues, who should be appointed to vicar apostolic in Algiers, now that Michel Monmasson has died. Possible candidates are Francesco Molignano (who was appointed provicar by Michel Monmasson before he died), d'Espinosa (the superior of the Trinitarians in the mission), and Giuseppe Giannola (a missionary in Bizerte, whose work greatly pleased Monmasson when he was still alive). The summary includes the reasonings for the different candidates. The cardinals decide to appoint Giuseppe Giannola as apostolic vicar for three years.
Additional comments
PF
APF ACTA 59, 122v-126r
1689-04-26
Latin
Italian
Minutes
693
Origin: Rome
Destination:
PF minutes, 1688-02-03, Rome
Algiers
CM petitions
Trinitarians
Minutes of PF general meeting of 3 February 1688 discussing among other issues, two letters from the vicar apostolic of Algiers [Michel Monmasson], one dated 17 July, and the other 6 September. He asks for the faculty to read more than two masses per day, and for a remedy against the fact that some priests (especially the administrator of the Trinitarian hospitals in Algiers), do not obey him. As to the first request: this has always been forbidden by PF and will not be granted. The secretary notes that there have always been troubles between the Trinitarians and the vicar apostolic. In 1673, the superior general of the Trinitarians had been ordered to see to it that the Trinitarians would not administer any sacraments without the consent of the vicar apostolic. The cardinals decide that this decree of 28 February 1673 should be renewed, and that the nuncio must be written to for information.
Additional comments
PF
APF ACTA 58, 23r, 42r-45r
1688-02-03
See for the letter of 17-07-1687: APF SOCG 500, 180r, 181r-184v, 185v (database item 698).
Latin
Italian
Minutes
692
Origin: Rome
Destination:
PF minutes, [1684], Rome
Algiers
Other secular missionaries
Trinitarians
Petitions for faculties
Minutes of PF general meeting of [1684] discussing among other issues, a petition on behalf of the general procurator of the Trinitarians. They ask that the superior of the Trinitarian hospitals in Algiers may be appointed prefect over the mission. Father Francesco Gatta (a secular priest), is a candidate for the post of vicar apostolic of Barbary now that Jean Le Vacher has died; its noted that Cardinal Spinola recommended him. He could be given faculties for Tunis and Bizerte, to avoid the troubles experienced in the past [between the former vicar apostolic, Jean Le Vacher, and the Trinitarians in Algiers]. The rescript is "read" and no decision is noted.
Additional comments
The exact date is missing from our records.
PF
APF ACTA 54, 15v-16r
[1684], Rome
Latin
Italian
Minutes
687
Origin: Rome
Destination:
PF minutes, 1683-11-29, Rome
Algiers
Trinitarians
Minutes of PF general meeting of 29 November 1683 discussing among other issues, the petition sent on behalf of the Trinitarians in Algiers. Its decided that now that the vicar apostolic [Jean Le Vacher] has died, a Trinitarian may be granted the honor of being appointed vicar apostolic. This would also prevent the continuous troubles they had with the previous vicar. The rescript is: "lectum."
Additional comments
PF
APF ACTA 53, 234r, 235v-236r, issue 7
1683-11-29
Latin
Italian
Minutes
686
Origin: Rome
Destination:
Letter from PF to Jean Le Vacher, 1682-04-18, Rome
Algiers
Other religious orders
Other secular missionaries
Trinitarians
Letter from PF to Jean Le Vacher, vicar apostolic in Algiers. The letter states that because several priests of different orders have fled from the hospitals in Algiers, the ruler of Algiers has since banned the administrators of these hospitals. The cardinals now ask, if he can take over the care of these hospitals. The letter dated 18 April 1682.
Additional comments
PF
APF LETTERE 71, 25v-26r
1682-04-18
Addressed to Jean Le Vacher
Italian
Letter
645
Origin: Rome
Destination: [Algiers]
Summary on the mission in Barbaria, [1679], [Rome]
Algiers
Conversion
Corsairs
Non-Catholic Christians
Ransom
Slaves (Christian)
Trinitarians
Summary on the mission in Barbaria. Trinitarian Procurator Ferdinando Di Alaba presents PF the five Trinatian hospitals in Algiers. Here the priests of his order do not only take care of the sick, but they also administer the sacraments, teach the children in the school, and ransom those that are in danger of converting.
This mission (that has been running for 70 years), has lately been disturbed by the vicar apostolic, Levacher [Jean Le Vacher]. He refuses to show his patents that he claims to have received from PF. Le Vacher forbade the priests of the hospitals to use their privileges, and took away the privilege of receiving the sacraments from the slaves. He removed the coat of arms of the king of Spain, the protector and patron of the hospitals, and also the coat of arms of the crosses. He also took the Holy sacrament from the hospital and brought it to his own house, amidst heretics, Lutherans and others. Because the priests have to take scaraments from Le Vacher's house to the hospital, there is a risk that this cannot be done in time. Le Vacher also let sick heretics enter the hospitals, and placed them in the same rooms as the Catholics; the hospitals used to take care of them in seperate rooms. He also forbade the slave priests to celebrate mass in the hospitals, making them instead travel to his house. When one priest dared to resist [Bartolomeo Da Serrano], he had him imprisoned and brought him to a Muslim court; this was a big scandal, not only among the Christians, but also among the heretics. For this reason Ferdinando aks PF in the name of his order to grant the priests in the hospitals the title and faculties of vicar apostlic, removing them from the jurisdiction of Le Vacher. Or, he asks PF to tell Le Vacher that he should not intervene in the hospitals, nor with its people. Proof of the case can be found in the collection of four testimonies made in the court of Madrid. After this summary was made, the letter of Jean Le Vacher arrived. A few years ago it seemed to PF a good idea, to declare the Trinitarian Fathers dependent from the jurisdiction of Le Vacher. Le Vacher deemed it necessary however, to issue a new decleration (similar to the one he had already received), in which it is declared that the priests of the hospitals are under his jurisdiction. Le Vacher also wrote about the abundance of missionaries that PF sends to Barbaria. According to him there is no need for more missionaries. The slave priests are dissatisfied because the missionaries take away their alms that they would receive from the slaves. With these alms they would pay for their own living, the lune to their masters, and their own ransom money. Some time ago, there where two Neapolitan priests for the mission, who asked Le Vacher for the required faculties, and he replied them that their services were not needed in Algiers. Le Vacher presided over the peace agreement between France and the Turks, which promised that the corsairs of Algiers would not enslave French people any longer. He also writes about the slaves that arrived some months ago, of which there were around 80 women, many of whom were Catholics. Some were at risk of losing their honor, when ransomed by him. The prosecretary [Domenico Corsi] states that they have continuously recieved complaints from Jean Le Vacher against the Trinitarians who have always pretended not to be subject to the vicar apostolic. Eventually during PF meeting of 28 February 1673, it was decided to give the general of this order the task to instruct his priests, that they would not administer the sacraments in the area, without a license from the vicar apostolic. One of them, Girolamo Da Sassari, persisted though. PF decided unanimously to remove Da Sassari from Algiers, and to write to the nuncio to Spain, requesting that he make sure that this would not happen again. The Trinitarian Fathers do not like the fact that Le Vacher forced them to receive the heretics, as requested in a letter written by PF dated 10 July 1673. PF renewed the orders to the general and the superiors of the hospitals, to not use the sacraments without the consent of the vicar. They also asked Le Vacher to receive the heretics in the hospitals in a more prudent way. They also order Le Vacher to give the two Neapolitan priests the faculties of missionaries, as has been decided in PF meeting of 1 December 1676; they also received the news of the death of Marcello Costa. PF decided to write to Le Vacher about the Trinitarians, and about the fact that Catholics and heretics should be seperated from each other. He should not interfene in things that are not part of his position, and PF also decided that the Neapolitan priests have to be given the faculties.
Date discussed: 1679-09-11
Additional comments
PF
APF SOCG 475, 93r-98r, 124v
[1679]
This summary is also found in the corresponding ACTA: APF ACTA 49, 205r, 214r-218v, issue 18 (database item 681).
See for the letters that were subsequently sent: APF LETTERE 68, 58v-60v (database item 636) and APF LETTERE 68, 60v-61v (database item 637).
For the mentioned letter from PF to Le Vacher, see: Letter from PF to Jean Le Vacher, 1673-07-10, Rome (database item 614).
Italian
Latin
Summary
798
Origin: [Rome]
PF minutes, 1679-09-11, Rome
Algiers
Trinitarians
Petitions for missionary patents
Minutes of PF general meeting of 11 September 1679 discussing among other issues; a) the disagreements between Jean Le Vacher, vicar apostolic in Algiers, and the Trinitarians who work in the five hospitals of the city; and b) a report by Jean Le Vacher on the state of his mission. The cardinals decide on several matters in response: 1) that Jean Le Vacher must be written to about the issue of whether the Trinitarians can keep the Holy sacrament in their hospitals, as they request; 2) that the heretics should indeed be kept separate from Catholics in hospitals, as requested by the Trinitarians; 3) that Jean Le Vacher should be told not to mingle in matters that are not part of his office, such as the coats of arms which the Trinitarians use to decorate their hospitals, (great resentment was caused, when the coats of arms were previously removed); and 4) that the Neapolitan priests who were recently sent by PF to Algiers should be given faculties.
Additional comments
PF
APF ACTA 49, 205r, 214r-218v, issue 18
1679-09-11
See for the letters that were subsequently sent: APF LETTERE 68, 58v-60v (database item 636) and APF LETTERE 68, 60v-61v (database item 637).
This summary also exists in the corresponding SOCG file: APF SOCG 475, 93r-98r, 124v (database item 798).
Latin
Italian
Minutes
681
Origin: Rome
Destination: