PABLO SERRA, _Presbyter, Rector of Cardona,
sworn Notary_.
* * * * *
In the town of Cardona, in the bishopric of Celsona, on the fourth of
August, one thousand six hundred and ninetyeight, before the Reverend
Joseph Riera, Commissary of the Holy Office of the Inquisition,
appeared, according to summons from Celadonio Siejas, sworn Nuncio of
the Holy Office, a woman calling herself Vitoria Salas, an inhabitant of
the town of Cardona, in the bishopric of Celsona, aged, as she stated,
thirtyfive years, more or less. She was formally sworn to declare the
truth and preserve secrecy.
Questioned, if she knew why she was summoned to appear.
Answered, that she supposed it to be on account of the following
statement which she had made to the Inquisition. She had confessed
herself in the chapel of San Luis, or the church of the Convent of San
Diego, in the town of Cardona, to Father Fr. Felix Coll, of the order of
St. Francisco, then residing in the said convent, and, during confession
or immediately after, while in the confessionary of that chapel, where
he was deputed to hear confessions from February till September, 1697,
he, at various times to the number of twenty or twentyfive, touched her
with his hands, squeezed her face and neck, and on one occasion
attempted to kiss her, but she prevented him by turning away her head.
Also, on another occasion, he told her that he should ruin her, and that
she must not speak of it or discover it to any one, as he did not act
from any bad intention, but that all was done for her benefit. He
further told her that he wanted to go to her house.
Questioned, if she knew that this person had solicited any others during
confession or immediately before or after.
Answered, that she had no knowledge of any such matter, but had been
told by Marianna Guer y Savall, that the same Father Fr. Felix Coll had
squeezed her hands in the act of confession several times.
The above is the truth according to the oath of the deponent. She was
enjoined secrecy, which she promised. I sign in her name,