P. BERNARDINO DE BARCELONA, _Presbyter,
Notary, and Commissary, appointed for
this Purpose_.
* * * * *
In the city of Mataro, bishopric of Barcelona, on the sixteenth day of
January, one thousand eight hundred and twenty, before Father Pedro
Martir de San Vicente, Presbyter Capuchin, and Commissary, by a special
commission for this purpose, and me, Father Bernardino de Barcelona,
Notary, having sworn to preserve secrecy, and perform faithfully our
offices, appeared and made oath in the name of God our Lord, with the
sign of the cross, to declare the truth, and observe secrecy, a person
calling himself Juan Bautista Viada, a native of Mataro, in the
bishopric of Barcelona, by occupation a mason, aged fiftyfour years.
Questioned, if he knew or conjectured the cause of his being summoned to
appear.
Answered, No.
Questioned, if he knew that any person or persons had said there was no
Hell nor Purgatory, or made any other assertion which came under the
cognisance of the Holy Office.
Answered, that he had heard the above assertion uttered by Magin
Casanovas, or Barcelo, a person who died two years since.
Questioned, what persons were present when these words were spoken; and
if the said Magin Casanovas was in his right mind; also, whether the
assertion was made in a positive manner, or by referring to some other
person, and whether it was made in jest, or dispute, or passion.
Answered, that he did not recollect whether it was said in the presence
of others or not, but that it appeared to be said in a positive manner,
and not in the heat of passion; that the abovementioned Magin Casanovas
was a Marine Alguacil of this city, of which he was also a native, and
that his age was about seventy years.
Questioned, if he remembered how many times the assertion had been made,
and if he received any rebuke for it.
Answered, that he did not remember.
Questioned, why he had not denounced the speaker to the Holy Tribunal.
Answered, that the thought of this never occurred to him.
Questioned, if he knew that any other person had said or done anything
which belonged to the cognizance of the Holy Tribunal.
Answered, No.
The above having been read to the deponent, was declared by him to be
correctly recorded; and he further stated that he had nothing to add or
alter respecting it, and that he did not make the declaration through
malice, but solely in obedience to his conscience. Secrecy was enjoined
upon him, which he promised, and added his signature.
JUAN BAUTISTA VIADA.
FRAY PEDRO MARTIR DE SAN VICENTE,
_Presbyter Capuchin Commissary_.