* * * * *
Information has been received and sworn to in this Holy Office, that a
certain person has, in the presence of others, among whom was Juan
Bonafos, surgeon, living in the house of Don Antonio Canals, uttered the
following assertions.
1st. That the priests in the holy sacrifice of Mass, have no power to
bring Christ down from heaven, which is proved by the example of the
English, who, although so learned a people, yet do not believe this,
which they would if it were true, from their great sagacity.
2d. That the French have done right in breaking up so many
ecclesiastical and lay communities, which were the cause of such a
multitude of dissensions and altercations, destructive to the crown and
to the Apostolic Roman Catholic Church.
3d. That the chaplains dress in black to cover their ignorance, inasmuch
as they know nothing.
4th. That there is no hell nor purgatory.
5th. That the highest disgrace which could befall him in this world,
would be to have one of his relations a monk, or the Beneficiado of a
parish.
6th. That if the Tribunal were to order him to be arrested, he had arms
in his house and would resist till he had killed four or five.
In consequence of this, we hereby grant a commission to our Commissary
Dr Antonio Amill, for the examination before Dr Andres Fernandez de la
Cuesta, Presbyter, as Notary, of the said Juan Bonafos, according to the
formula herewith subjoined. The name and residence of the speaker and
those who were present, are to be recorded, as also all the
circumstances of time, place, &c., as prescribed in the above direction;
the whole to be forwarded to us with this commission. God preserve you.
Royal Palace of the Inquisition of Barcelona, June eleventh, 1791.
The Licentiate,
DON MANUEL DE MERRA Y PANIYGUA.
DR DON PEDRO DIAZ DE VALDES.
JUAN ANTONIO ALMONACID, _Sec’y._
* * * * *
In the city of Barcelona, on the eleventh day of July, one thousand
seven hundred and ninetyone, before Dr Antonio Amill, Presbyter and
Commissary of the Holy Office, by virtue of a commission of the Holy
Tribunal of the Inquisition of Catalonia, and me, Andres Fernandez de
la Cuesta, Presbyter and Notary, having sworn to preserve secrecy, and
perform faithfully our duties, appeared and made oath to declare the
truth and preserve secrecy, Juan Bonafos, surgeon, a native of the
village of San Lorenzo de la Muga, in the bishopric of Gerona, of age,
as he stated, twentyone years.
Questioned, if he knew or conjectured the cause of his being summoned to
appear.
Answered, that he did not know.
Questioned, if he knew that any person had said or done aught which was,
or appeared to be, contrary to our Holy Catholic Faith and Evangelical
Doctrine.
Answered, Yes, inasmuch as about six months before, he had heard Joseph
Coch, a surgeon, native of Sellern, and at present residing in
Barcelona, make the following assertions.