hindering the journey of the aforesaid religious to the above-named islands, provinces, countries, and kingdoms. At the same time we exhort most earnestly in the Lord the said religious who are to be, or even have been, sent to the said places, to observe uniformity in their instructions to the people, especially those who have been recently converted to the Christian faith, in order that such neophytes be not scandalized through conflicting teachings, especially in matters relating to morals. Wherefore since in matters of so great concern we hold that care and watchfulness on the part of the aforesaid are of much avail, hence we again and again urge them to restrict their teachings to general principles. Accordingly, to the end that this be the more easily carried out, in their instructions to the peoples of the said places in Eastern India, the said religious shall as far as possible use exclusively the Roman Catechism, and the "Christian Doctrine" (both small and large) of Robert Bellarmino, a cardinal of the holy Roman church of good renown, translated and printed in the dialects of the aforesaid peoples. But since, to the no little grief of our heart, we have learned that in Japan now for many years is raging a most bitter persecution against Christians, especially against religious, we therefore grant and convey to all and singular the Christians now as well as in the future resident in Japan, the power to receive freely and lawfully the sacraments (such however as require episcopal ministry being excepted) even those that appertain to parish priests, from any priests, as the above, whose services they may secure--provided, however, these have been, or shall be, sent thither by their generals.