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The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 25 of 55: 1635-36; Explorations by Early Navigators, Descriptions of the Islands and Their Peoples, Their History and Records of the Catholic Missions, As Related in Contemporaneous Books and Manuscripts, Showing the Political, Economic, Commercial and Religious Conditions of Those Islands from Their Earliest Relations with European Nations to the Close of the Nineteenth Century

History

The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 25 of 55: 1635-36; Explorations by Early Navigators, Descriptions of the Islands and Their Peoples, Their History and Records of the Catholic Missions, As Related in Contemporaneous Books and Manuscripts, Showing the Political, Economic, Commercial and Religious Conditions of Those Islands from Their Earliest Relations with European Nations to the Close of the Nineteenth Century

Demarcation line of Alexander VI; Missions -- Philippines; Philippines -- Discovery and exploration; Philippines -- History -- Sources

In order to visit the friars of my bishopric, which the religious
there would not permit, it was needful to seek the aid of your Majesty
from your governor. He gave me a dozen soldiers with a corporal, so
that they might guard my person; and yet the friars refused to let me
visit them _de moribus et vita_ [81]--saying that they knew of no royal
decrees, bulls of his Holiness, or decrees of councils, that treat of
the matter, and they shut the doors of the churches against me. Let
your Majesty judge whether I have courage to return to my bishopric,
among such people. They have tried to kill me, and God does not
oblige me to go there, since I know what they will do, and that such a
course would place me in danger. So many lawless acts in men who say
that they profess religion are worthy of correction. This is hoped
from your Majesty as soon as possible; for, if it be delayed long,
I doubt whether these islands can be saved. For there is no measure
that the governor enacts for your Majesty's service that they do not
resist and oppose _in toto_. The most effective method that I find for
cutting roots that produce so evil fruit is to deprive the religious
of their missions, and send virtuous seculars to serve these in their
stead. May God put His hand to the work, so that so many disorders
may be driven out. May He preserve your Majesty in your greatness for
the many years that Christendom needs. Manila, June 20, 1636. Your
Majesty's humble chaplain and servant, who kisses your hands,


_Fray Francisco_, bishop of Cazeres. [82]







LIST OF PROMINENT ECCLESIASTICS IN MANILA AND THE ISLANDS


_Memorial on the state of the ecclesiastical cabildo of this cathedral
of Manila, and the dignities which are subject to his Majesty's
appointment; and the persons who are serving them in the meantime
by appointment of the governor, and their qualifications, origin,
and ages._


The dean is named Don Miguel Garsetas. He is a native of Toledo, and
came to these islands more than thirty-eight years ago. He is not a
graduate. He was given the deanery, to serve _ad interim_ after the
death of Licentiate Francisco Gomez Arellano, and your Majesty favored
him with a confirmation thereof. He is more than sixty years of age.

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

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