PF minutes, 1659-09-25, Rome

PF minutes, 1659-09-25, Rome

Tunis

Slaves (Christian & Muslim)

Conversion

Malta

Galleys

Minutes of PF general meeting of 25 September 1659 discussing among other issues, complaints from the Christian slaves in Tunis, who say that the Muslim slaves (who live on the pope's galleys or lands, as well as those held on Malta), have reported to the divan in Tunis that they were forced to convert to Christianity. In response, the authorities in Tunis threaten to force the Christian slaves in their city to convert to Islam; the Christian slaves in Tunis ask that a solution be found. The vicar apostolic of Tunis [Jean Le Vacher] says that the complaints stem from the fact that in Malta, the Muslim slaves are forced to listen to catechesis on Sundays and on feast days, and if one of the slaves becomes ill, he is handed over to a Christian in order to be converted. According to the apostolic vicar, the ruler of Tunis was ready to retaliate by submitting the Christian slaves to similar treatment; only Le Vacher's promise that he would change the situation in Malta and on the papal lands, convinced him to stop. The vicar suggests that it would be wise to moderate the zeal of the Maltese, because "what is accomplished in Malta by means of persuasion, in Tunis will be done by means of beatings." The cardinals do not make any decision on the matter. 

Additional comments

PF

APF ACTA 28, 166r, 167r-v, issue 2

1659-09-25

See for the letter discussed during this meeting: APF SOCG 254, 8r, 11v (database item 379).

Latin

Italian

Minutes

483

Origin: Rome

Destination: