Sire:
In compliance with what your Majesty ordered in your royal decree
of May eighteen, 619, countersigned by your secretary, Juan Ruiz
de Contreras, I shall inform your Majesty in this letter [40]
of the matters pertaining to the ecclesiastical government of this
archbishopric, that are mentioned in the said royal decree, and I shall
answer and satisfy each section in the same order as set forth therein.
_Possession of the archbishopric and residence therein_. [41] I took
possession, Sire, of this archbishopric, July 23, 620, and I have
always resided therein without having absented myself therefrom.
_Visitation of the ecclesiastical cabildo, clergy of Manila,
and province of Pampanga_. From the said day on which I took
possession of this archbishopric, I have busied myself in this city
of Manila, its metropolis, visiting my cabildo, clergy, hospitals,
and confraternities, and bestowing confirmation and attending to other
duties in my charge, until April 20, 621, when I set out to visit
the province of Pampanga. In that and in administering the sacrament
of confirmation, I was busied somewhat more than one month. Then I
returned to Manila, where I have resided until now, without having
gone to visit the rest of my diocese, because of nine Dutch vessels
that were in the mouth of the bay, and because of other events which
have hindered me. I shall do so, God willing, as soon as the vessels
about to go to Nueva España have set sail.
Thanks to God, the inspection of my cabildo resulted in not finding any
offense for which charges ought to be brought against any prebend; nor
against the other clergy of this city was anything proved that merited
punishment, except that three or four had gambled with some publicity,
for which they were punished. Some cases of open concubinage of lay
persons have caused and are causing remark in this city; and as this
city is so small, they cannot be very well hidden. In order that such
might be avoided, I have made and am making all the efforts possible.
_Parochial church of Manila and number of souls under its
direction_. Inside the walls of Manila there is only one Spanish
parochial church, namely, the cathedral. Hitherto it has had but
one curate; and inasmuch as I found the curacy vacant, and thought
it advisable for the better administration of the parishioners, I
discussed with the governor the matter of having two. He agreed to it,
and consequently a proclamation was published and the appointments
given by competition to two virtuous and learned clerics, who today
serve in the said curacy. In that parochial church are directed in
confession two thousand four hundred Spaniards, both men and women,
among whom are to be counted a few mestizos. One thousand are male
inhabitants and transients, eight hundred and sixteen regular soldiers,
and five hundred and eighty-four women. In the above number neither
the religious, priests, nor children, are included.
_Curacy of Indians and slaves inside Manila_. There is also one curate
who has charge of the Indian natives of this city and the slaves and
freedmen living within the city. He ministers to about one thousand six
hundred and forty Indians who make confession; and one thousand nine
hundred and seventy slaves, among whom are some few freedmen. Although
that seems considerable for only one curate, he can comfortably take
care of them, for the majority of them confess in the convents of
St. Augustine, St. Francis, St. Dominic, the Augustinian Recollects,
and the college of the Society of Jesus of this city. The said Indians
are ministered to, although with much inconvenience, in a chapel of
the royal Spanish hospital, and are buried in the church or cemetery
of the cathedral. If your Majesty so wish, they can have a church of
their own, and the expenses therefor can be secured from the royal
treasury, as is done in the villages outside Manila, where tribute
is collected, since they and the freedmen pay it to your Majesty.
_Parochial church of Santiago, a suburb of Manila, and the souls cared
for therein_. In the village of Bagumbaya, which is a suburb of this
city, is the parochial church of Santiago, in charge of a beneficed
secular priest. There one hundred and fifty Spaniards (one hundred and
twenty of whom are men), besides another hundred and fifty mestizos
and freedmen, and four hundred Indians and slaves are ministered to.
_Parochial church of the port of Cavite and the souls directed
therein_. In the port of Cavite, three leguas from Manila, there is
a parochial church in charge of a beneficed secular priest. In it
four hundred and thirty Spaniards are cared for; fifty of these are
soldiers of the fort, fifty women, and all the others sailors, some
of whom are mestizos. The said beneficed priest also ministers to two
thousand four hundred Indians and some slaves and people of various
nations, who number about four hundred. The religious of St. Francis,
St. Dominic, the Society of Jesus, and the Augustinian Recollects,
who own convents in the said port, assist him.
_Benefices, and mission villages of Indian natives in the diocese of
the archbishopric of Manila both in charge of the secular priests and
of religious; and the number of souls cared for in the archbishopric_.
The missions of the Indian natives of all this archbishopric are
in charge of secular priests and of religious of St. Augustine,
St. Francis, St. Dominic, the Society of Jesus, and Augustinian
Recollects.
Those of the secular priests are divided into twelve benefices,
among which are the three above-mentioned, namely, Manila, Bagumbaya,
and Cavite. Altogether, twenty thousand souls of the said natives
are ministered to.
_Order of St. Augustine_. The Order of St. Augustine has thirty-two
convents, all of which contain together fifty-six priests, who minister
to ninety thousand souls.
_Order of St. Francis_. The Order of St. Francis has thirty-eight
convents of _guardianías_ [42] and presidencies, in which are
forty-seven priests, who all together minister to forty-eight thousand
four hundred souls.
[_Order of St. Dominic_.] The Order of St. Dominic has three
convents. They minister to three thousand souls and have five
religious. The rest of their religious are stationed in the bishopric
of Nueva Segovia. In the province of Pangasinan, the Order of
St. Dominic has ten convents, with sixteen priests, who minister to
twenty-five thousand souls. [43]
_The Society of Jesus_. The Society of Jesus has three residences,
with eight priests, who minister to ten thousand six hundred souls.
_Augustinian Recollects_. The religious of the Augustinian Recollects
have three convents with six priests, who minister to eight thousand
souls.
Consequently the number of souls of the natives alone, who are cared
for in the territory of this archbishopric of Manila, amounts to two
hundred and one thousand six hundred. [44]
_Method of administration and direction of the villages and
missions_. The benefices of secular priests, and the convents and
residences of religious, above mentioned, are directed and instructed
as follows. Some have only one village; while for others--the most
common--besides the capital or principal village, there are two,
three, four, or five small villages, and in some even more, all of
which attend the church of the capital, when they are near it and
in a place suitable for that--which is generally the case, as the
distance is short, and can be traversed by waterways of lakes and
rivers. But when the distance is great, in the said villages (or in
some of them) there are churches where the priests go to celebrate
mass, on holy days and other days, from the capitals when there are
two or more priests; and they teach and administer the sacraments. But
when there is only one priest, as in the benefices of the seculars
and some of the orders, he says one mass in his capital, and another
in another village or visita of his district where all or almost all
of the people of it are gathered. In some districts, inasmuch as the
distance is considerable, the minister lives two or three months in
one village of his district and two or three in another, and in this
way goes the round of his benefice.
The orders have their distinct districts assigned in provinces,
and thus by their contiguity those of each order are a mutual aid
among themselves.
Although it is impossible to deny that the natives would be better
instructed and would live in more orderly ways if the small villages
were to be reduced to the capital, making one or two settlements of
each benefice, they consider it such an affliction to leave their
little houses where they were born and have been reared, their fields,
and their other comforts of life, that it could only be attained with
difficulty, and little fruit would result therefrom. Thus has the
experience of assembling the people into communities in Nueva España
proved, and so has what little of it has been attempted here. However,
in the visit that I shall make in this archbishopric, I shall try to
reduce them to as few settlements as possible.
Inasmuch as I deem it greater prolixity than is advisable for what
your Majesty desires to know about the missions of the Indians, if I
set down the name and number of their settlements, I have refrained
from doing so.
_Sangley missions of the diocese of the archbishopric of Manila, and
the number of souls directed in them_. Besides the said missions to the
natives, the Order of St. Dominic has in the town of Binondo, which
is near Manila on the other side of the river, Christian Sangleys,
most of whom are married to Indian women of this island, while others
are married with women of other nations. At present they number five
hundred Sangley mestizo inhabitants, who are cared for in their own
language in the convent of the above-mentioned order in the said town.
Besides the said Sangleys of Binondo--who cannot return to their own
country, because they are married, and have no cues, and have become
residents here--some have been baptized these last four years who
have retained their long cues, without binding them not to return
to their own country. Some of these are ministered to in a church
in charge of the Order of St. Dominic, near the Parián; and others
in two other churches almost in the suburbs of Manila, and in one
other somewhat farther away--all three of which are in charge of
the Order of St. Francis, and number about one thousand Sangleys,
who are directed in their own language.
_Japanese missions, and the number of souls ministered to therein_. In
the parochial church of Santiago, and in the villages of Dilao and
San Miguel, which are suburbs of Manila, and in the part of Cavite,
most of the Japanese in these islands are instructed. Some of them
are married, and although, because they are a people who go to and
fro to their own country, they have no fixed number, at present there
are more than fifteen hundred Christians.
And now, Sire, I have given your Majesty a report of the souls
ministered to in the territory of this archbishopric, as exactly,
accurately, and clearly as I have been able. Inasmuch as your Majesty
will be pleased to have me report likewise on the three bishoprics
of these islands that are suffragan to this archbishopric of Manila,
although that report be summary, a brief relation of it is here
appended, which has been abstracted from the reports given to me by
the provincials of the orders and other persons.
_Benefices and missions of the bishopric of Zibu, and the number of
souls ministered to_.
In the bishopric of Santisimo Nombre de Jesus in the city of Zebu--the
residence of the bishop--there is one Spanish parochial church, namely,
the cathedral, whose benefice is served by one secular priest. He
ministers to one hundred Spaniards (fifty of whom are soldiers, and
twenty are women), and to two hundred and fifty Malucans, Ambuenos,
and those of other nations.
In the same city of Zebu is one other benefice, also served by a
secular priest, where one thousand six hundred souls, counting Indian
inhabitants, wandering Indians, and Sangleys, are directed. They
are attended to by the convent of St. Augustine, and the residence
[_colegio_] of the Society of Jesus in that city.
In the city of Arebalo, which is situated in the province of Oton,
and which belongs to the same bishopric, is a parochial church for
Spaniards, who, counting the women, number about one hundred. In the
island of Caraga are fifty Spanish soldiers, to whom, together with
four hundred Indian natives, one secular priest ministers.
Besides the said benefices of Zebu, Villa de Arebalo, and the island
of Caraga, that bishopric has twelve secular benefices which minister
to fifteen thousand four hundred souls. The Order of St. Augustine
minister to forty-eight thousand souls of the Indian natives in
the fifteen convents with their visitas that they maintain in that
bishopric. The Society of Jesus minister to fifty-four thousand souls
in their residences. They give the name of residence to the college
or chief place to which the fathers of that district, who have other
houses and churches of their own where they live, are subject.
Thus the souls of the Indian natives ministered to in the bishopric of
Zebu total one hundred and nineteen thousand six hundred and fifty,
including the few Malucans, Ambuenos, and those of other nations,
as above stated.
_Missions of the bishopric of Cagayan, and the number of souls cared
for therein_.
The bishopric of Cagayan, whose capital is the city of Nueva Segovia,
has twenty Spanish inhabitants and fifty soldiers in the said city.
There is not a single secular benefice in all that bishopric, and it
is administered by the orders of St. Augustine and St. Dominic.
The Order of St. Augustine has fifteen convents, in which fifty-eight
thousand souls of Indian natives are cared for.
The souls of the natives ministered to in the said bishopric of
Cagayan amount to one hundred and twenty-eight thousand.
_Benefices and missions of the bishopric of Camarines, and the number
of souls instructed therein_.
In the bishopric of Camarines, whose seat is in the city of Caceres,
there are at present only twelve or fifteen Spanish inhabitants,
the alcalde-mayor, some few soldiers whom he takes with him, and the
collectors of tribute for that province, all of whom do not number
fifty men. They are ministered to in the cathedral by one secular
priest, who has in charge two small villages near by, where live two
hundred souls of the natives.
That bishopric has five secular benefices, where eight thousand four
hundred souls of natives are ministered to.
The Order of St. Francis owns twenty-four convents with guardianías
and presidencies, and ministers to forty-five thousand souls.
The Society of Jesus has one residence, where they minister to three
thousand two hundred souls. Hence the souls of the natives cared
for in the said bishopric of Camarines amount to fifty-six thousand
eight hundred.
_The number of souls of Indian natives ministered to in the Filipinas
Islands_. According to the evidence of this relation, the souls
of Indian natives ministered to in this archbishopric and in its
suffragans, the three above-mentioned bishoprics, amount to five
hundred and six thousand. [45]
_The need of ministers, which explains why many souls of Indian
natives remain to be converted to our holy religion_. The number
would be far greater, Sire, were there more ministers. Through lack
of them a considerable number of those already pacified and who pay
tribute remain to be converted. There are some of these even among
the Indians who are Christians, especially in the bishoprics of Zibu
and Cagayan; while even in the bishopric of Camarines there are some
pagans, but not so many, and those of this archbishopric of Manila
are still fewer. Consequently it will be very advisable that religious
of the said orders come to these islands, so that they may attend to
this instruction and conversion, for all the islands are in pressing
need of them.
_The arduous work of the ministers in the conversion of the
Indians_. One would not believe how arduously the ministers to the
Indians in these islands work, and how they should be esteemed; for
not only do they attend to their baptisms, confessions, communions,
marriages, and burials, but also--and this is of far greater labor,
work, and occupation--to the daily instruction of all in the church
(even though they be the children and grandchildren of Christians)
in the prayers and whatever is necessary so that they may know and
understand our holy faith, in order that the holy sacraments may be
administered to them.
_Hospitals_
_Royal hospital of Manila, where Spaniards are treated_. There is,
Sire, within the city of Manila, the royal Spanish hospital, where
all the ailments of only the Spanish men are treated. It is maintained
from your Majesty's royal treasury, the medicines, delicacies, wine,
and some other things being brought from Nueva España, while the rest
are bought here. There are generally from seventy to one hundred sick
men, most of them soldiers of this camp. As the needs of the royal
treasury have been so great these years, the sick have so little
comfort that for lack of it many of them die. The hospital is in
charge of a steward appointed by the governor, and has its physician,
surgeon, apothecary, barber, and other paid helpers. The Order of
St. Francis administer the sacraments to the sick. One or two priests
of that order live in the hospital, and two others, lay brethren,
act as nurses. It would seem advisable that that hospital and the
others be placed under the charge of the brothers of St. John of God
(who have the care of hospitals as an object of their profession),
if a sufficient number of them came from España.
_Hospital of La Misericordia, where slaves and Spanish women are
treated_. In another hospital, called that of La Misericordia,
[46] also inside the walls of Manila, sick slaves are treated for
all ailments--both men and women, in separate quarters. There are
generally from eighty to one hundred sick persons in it. It has one
separate room where poor Spanish women are treated, which generally
has from twelve to twenty women. That hospital is in charge of the
Confraternity of La Misericordia ["mercy"], which bears all the
expenses and keeps the hospital very well supplied with medicine and
delicacies. It is administered by religious of St. Francis.
_Hospital of the natives_. Five hundred paces from the wall of Manila
stands the hospital of the native Indians, where only Indian men
and women are treated (in distinct rooms), for all ailments. It has
generally from about one hundred to one hundred and fifty sick. Five
hundred ducados are given to it annually from the royal treasury by
the order of your Majesty, besides one thousand five hundred fanegas
of uncleaned rice, one thousand five hundred fowls, and two hundred
blankets [_mantas_] from Ylocos, while the medicines brought from
Nueva España are shared with them. With the above and four toneladas
of the cargo which are given in the ships that ply to and from Nueva
España (which are sold), some income that it possesses from the rent
of certain lands, and a farm for large stock, there is enough for the
treatment and care of the sick. However, at present the hospital is
short, because the toneladas of the cargo have been worthless during
these last years; and because of the needs of the royal treasury the
five hundred ducados have been owing for more than three consecutive
years. The hospital is in charge of a steward appointed by the
governor, and is administered by the Order of St. Francis.
_Hospital of the Sangleys_. In the town of Binondo, which lies near
Manila on the other side of the river, is the hospital of San Gabriel,
where the Sangleys, both Christian and pagan, are treated. Although the
sick who go thither are very few when compared with the so great number
of that nation in these islands, since the sick generally do not exceed
thirty in number--and perhaps quite naturally, for since they have no
hospitals in their country, they shun and despise them--yet very great
results are obtained there; for very few or none at all die without
the water of baptism, while of those cured the most become converts,
thanks to the preparation of the usual and familiar conversation
and intercourse that they hold with the religious of the Order of
St. Dominic, who minister to the said hospital, and endeavor most
earnestly to convert them. That hospital is sufficiently maintained
by the money collected from the tolls of the Sangleys themselves,
who pass from one district to the other opposite the Parián, [47]
and with some income that it possesses. Although the said tolls
are collected from the Indian natives of these islands, it would be
just to allow the latter to pass freely, as do the Spanish, slaves,
freedmen, and those of other nations; for the natives ought not to
be, in this matter, placed on a worse footing [than the others],
especially since the money so obtained from them is only converted
to the benefit of the Sangleys who are treated in the said hospital.
_Hospital of Los Vaños_ [_i.e._, "the baths"]. On the shore of the
Laguna de Bay, twelve miles up stream from Manila, stands a hospital
called Los Vaños. It was established there a few years ago, as it
was found by trial that the hot water that bubbles up from certain
springs was good for those having humors, buboes, and colds. Hence
many Spaniards, natives, and those of other nations, both men and
women (who have separate quarters), are treated in that hospital,
for the said ailments. Most of what is expended there is derived from
the royal treasury and royal magazines, but because of the scarcity
of funds in these times it is not as well looked after now as it
was some years ago. Consequently, it is in debt and suffers great
need. The steward who has charge of it is appointed by the governor,
and religious of the Order of St. Francis conduct it.
_Confraternities of Manila_
The confraternities, Sire, in this city of Manila are as follows:
_Of the most Holy Sacrament_ [_Santisimo Sacramento_]. The
Confraternity of the Most Holy Sacrament, in the cathedral; with only
thirty pesos income, which, with the alms procured by the brethren
and others, is spent for wax.
_Of the Souls_ [_Las Animas_]. That of the Souls in Purgatory, in the
same cathedral. It has an income of one hundred and ten pesos. With
this and the alms that are collected, they furnish the solemn mass
and its responses Monday of each week, and perform other suffrages
and anniversary masses.
_Of the most Holy Name of Jesus_ [_Santisimo Nombre de Jesus_]; _the
Nazarenes_ [_Los Nazarinos_]; _and the Solitude_ [_La Soledad_]. The
confraternities of the most Holy Name of Jesus, of the Nazarenes,
and of the Solitude of our Lady, are established in the convents of
St. Augustine, the Recollects, and St. Dominic. They have no incomes,
except alms that the brethren gather. That is spent in wax and
ornaments by the said convents, each convent buying one day every week
during Lent the wax for the sermons that are preached, and the floats
of the passion that are carried in the processions of the discipline
during Holy Week, in which the brethren and others take part.
_Of the Rosary_ [_El Rosario_]. The Confraternity of the Rosary of
our Lady, which was founded in the convent of St. Dominic, has some
income bequeathed it by pious persons, from which, together with the
alms gathered by the brethren, four or six orphan girls are married
yearly, to each of whom three hundred pesos are given as a dowry.
_Brotherhood of the Confraternity of La Misericordia_ ["mercy"]. In
the year five hundred and ninety-three, the Confraternity of La
Misericordia was started in this city. It has continued to increase
daily to greater estate, until now it is of the utmost importance in
the city, because of the many needs that it succors and relieves, and
the charitable works that it undertakes. It was founded with the same
rules and for the same end as that of the city of Lisboa, and others
that were begun in imitation of the latter in Portuguese India--whence
it must have been introduced here on account of its nearness to,
and communication with, these islands. It has two hundred brethren,
and every year twelve of these are chosen, who are called "brethren of
the bureau of accounts." They, together with one brother, who is their
chief, have charge of the government of the said confraternity. They
beg alms two days of every week and collect whatever they get from
this source and from the bequests left by most of the dying. They
spend annually on the average more than twelve thousand pesos, which
includes three thousand six hundred of income that they now possess,
that was bequeathed them by certain persons. That sum they use for the
general support and relief of self-respecting poor men and women who
live uprightly; on the poor of the prison, whose suits they urge;
on helping many of the girls sheltered in the seminary of Santa
Potenciana; on the support of certain collegiates who study in the
convent of Santo Thomas of the Order of St. Dominic, and in that of
San Joseph of the Society of Jesus; in marrying girls and orphans; on
the support of the hospital built by them where slaves are treated,
and which I mentioned above; on the alms for masses, and for other
similar purposes. Many of the dying appoint the brethren of the bureau
of accounts as their executors, and they carry out the terms of the
wills with great strictness. They attend to the burial of the poor,
and of the bones of those who are hanged, which duty they see to once
each year.
_Colleges of Students_
_College of the Society of Jesus, called San Joseph_. There are two
colleges for students. One was founded by Captain Estevan Rodriguez
de Figueroa, and is named San Joseph. It is in charge of the Society
of Jesus, and the collegiates go to attend lectures at the residence
[_colegio_] of the same Society (which is close by) in grammar,
philosophy, and ecclesiastical and moral theology. At present it has
twenty collegiates who wear the _beca_. [48] Some of them pay their
tuition, but others are aided by the Confraternity of La Misericordia;
for the income of the founder falls somewhat short now of sustaining
the college, because of expenses in erecting the buildings of the
said college.
_College of Santo Thomas, which is in charge of the Order of
St. Dominic._ The college is called Santo Thomas de Aquino. It
is in charge of the Order of St. Dominic, and is very near their
convent. For two years it has had collegiates. It was founded by the
alms of deceased persons and by other contributions from the living,
which the fathers have procured and collected. It has some income and
is continuing to increase. At present it also has twenty collegiates
who wear the beca, some of whom also pay their tuition, and others
are supported by the Confraternity of La Misericordia and certain
persons. They take lectures in grammar, philosophy, and theology in
the same college, where they have a rector and masters belonging to
the Order of St. Dominic.
These two colleges aggrandize the city greatly and the sons of the
inhabitants of these islands are being reared in them in culture,
virtue, and learning. It will be of the utmost importance to the
city's progress for your Majesty to honor them by granting them
authority to give degrees in the branches that they teach.
_Seminary of Santa Potenciana._ Many years ago the seminary of Santa
Potenciana was founded in this city at your Majesty's command, in
order to maintain in it poor girls, both Spaniards and mestizas,
who being reared there in a safe retreat and under good teaching
might leave it virtuous, and as such be sought as wives. It has
been supported hitherto by an income of one thousand pesos that it
possesses, and with eight hundred pesos which is about the value of
an encomienda granted it by your Majesty, besides three toneladas
of the cargo given it annually by allotment in the ships despatched
hence to Nueva España, and certain alms bequeathed to it by certain
dying persons. For some few years past the seminary has been greatly
in debt, both because of increasing the number of their girls,
and because the toneladas of the cargo have had no value, and on
account of the greatly increased cost of living; and it is suffering
so great need that it has not enough for the ordinary maintenance
of the fifty girls who are there at present, some of whom are aided
by the Confraternity of La Misericordia. It will be advisable, since
the work is so consecrated to the service of God and so suitable to
that of your Majesty, whose royal person is patron of that seminary,
for you to order the governor to aid it from the royal treasury,
or--and this would be more secure--apportion to it more Indians, so
that a work so holy and necessary in this community may continue to
advance, since it is served by slave women and has never been served
by Spanish women. It is certain that if this retreat, from which the
girls go out married, were to fail, they would perish and be lost.
_How the Indians are treated by the curates and ministers._ The
Indians, Sire, of this archbishopric are generally treated with
mildness, love, and zeal for their salvation, by the priests and
ministers who instruct them. Whenever the contrary is heard from
anyone, he is corrected, admonished, and punished--by myself if he is a
secular. If he is a religious, his superior does it, when he deems it
best; for I (even though the case be one of the ministry and care of
souls) alone have power to warn and ask his superior to remedy it. In
regard to that, it would be greatly advisable that the bishops of the
Philipinas have more power over the ministers of souls in their charge,
and that the latter be obliged to give account. But, however this may
be, it is not a matter from which results any considerable annoyance
or harm to the Indians, except that of the bad example which they
might derive from it, if they saw their priest and teacher do the
contrary of what he teaches them and censures them for by word of
mouth. The most powerful cause, then, that destroys and consumes the
Indians of Philipinas is the same one that has destroyed and consumed
the Spaniards. All have been ruined by the continual and large fleets
with which the Dutch enemy persecute us, and because our forces are
so few to oppose them, as I have represented in other letters that
I am writing to your Majesty. It is impossible to prevent us all
from suffering, and even perishing very speedily, if your Majesty's
most powerful hand does not help and defend us. Consequently, Sire,
I consider as inexcusable the vexations that have come and are coming
upon the Indians in the building of ships and the making of other
preparations to defend us; for these would be very much less if the
Indians were paid for their work as your Majesty orders, if they
were placed in charge of disinterested persons, and if compassion
were shown them.
_Preachers for the Indian natives._ There are as many preachers for
the Indians as there are priests who minister to them; for although
the chief and most important instruction which can be preached to them
is to make the Indians understand the ministers of our holy religion,
and for the minister that he know the language thoroughly, there is
no difficulty in preaching to them, if one does it (and thus it is
advisable) simply and plainly.
_Preachers for Spaniards._ There is not any lack of preachers for the
Spaniards either, for generally each of the convents of St Augustine,
St. Francis, St. Dominic, the Society of Jesus, and the Augustinian
Recollects of this city have two preachers, who are erudite fathers
and of exemplary life. Besides, there are certain others, who by
reason of living in the convents and surrounding missions attend to
the preaching of several sermons during the year. These with holy
zeal reprehend vices with thorough modesty and prudence, and tell
us what is suitable for our salvation. But your Majesty is assured
that the chief preacher and teaching for the inhabitants of Manila,
and the best method of banishing public sins from it, is the good
example and life of the governors. With that, and with the affability
and love that they would exercise toward the virtuous, and with the
displeasure and asperity with which they would treat the vicious,
there would result, at least in the exterior court, the good or
evil conduct of the inhabitants of this community. Inasmuch as the
community is small, and all its inhabitants need the governor and
are watching him, they will try to imitate him.
_In regard to sending a relation of the persons worthy and
capable of being appointed prelates._ Your Majesty ordered me in
the said royal decree to send a separate and very secret relation
of those persons most worthy and capable in this archbishopric of
being appointed to prelacies--recounting their virtue, morals, and
example, character, prudence, age, and modesty; and of the intellect,
learning, degrees, and governing ability of such persons, besides
other circumstances. Obeying the commands of your Majesty, I report
all that in a separate letter, and I shall continue to do so in the
form and manner in which your Majesty may advise me.
_Whether there are vacant prebends or benefices._ At present, Sire,
there is no vacant prebend in the cathedral of this city, although
some are being filled by appointments by the governor until your
Majesty shall confirm them or shall appoint to these posts persons
who are pleasing to you. In regard to that, I refer to what I
am writing to your Majesty in a separate letter. The benefices
are appointed by competition as soon as they become vacant, in
the manner prescribed by the holy council of Trent, in accordance
with the royal patronage and last royal decree of your Majesty that
treats of this matter. Consequently, throughout this diocese there
is no vacant prebend or benefice. As soon as any become vacant,
I shall take care to provide for them as speedily as possible, as
your Majesty so piously orders me.
_Regarding the number of curacies and missions, and of the persons
who administer them._ In regard to the relation and report that your
Majesty orders me to make of the curacies and missions of this diocese
(both of Spaniards and of Indians); of the persons who serve them, and
the manner of their presentation, whether of seculars or of friars,
and of what orders; the age of each, and his length of service in
those curacies and missions; and whether he serves with the good-will,
humility, unworldliness, and good example to which he is bound;
as well as of other things contained in the section that treats of
this. I refer to what I have said in my letter, without going into
particulars regarding the names and ages of the ministers; for that
appears to be less necessary, since the benefices at present held by
seculars in these islands are so limited in stipends and obventions
that nearly all of them are compelled to beg for these, in order not to
desert their benefices. In the missions in charge of the religious, the
same persons do not live continuously, for their provincials remove and
change them from one to another, according as they deem most advisable.
_That this relation shall be continued on all occasions._ I shall
have the care that your Majesty orders, in sending duplicates of
this relation until I am advised that your Majesty has received it,
and I shall add to it whatever occurs later. When I learn that your
Majesty has received it, I shall observe the order given me, to refer
to what I shall have written in what may not be new matter, increased
and corrected by the past relations as far as may be advisable. I
shall continue to do that without awaiting any new order for it from
your Majesty, whose very Catholic person may our Lord preserve for
the increase of new kingdoms and the prosperity of those which you
possess, as is necessary to Christendom, and as we your Majesty's
humble chaplains desire. Manila, August, 1621.
This, Sire, is the relation of that I wrote to your Majesty in the past
year of 1621. I found nothing to correct except the section treating
of the number of the convents in charge of the Order of St. Dominic,
which is amended in its place in the margin. Manila, July last, 1622.
_Fray Miguel Garcia Serrano_,
archbishop of Manila.