In which is given public satisfaction in behalf of this brotherhood
for a chapter of a manifesto which has been published denouncing
the rectitude and faithful administration of the brothers; and it is
proved that the annuities of the house of the Misericordia not only
are not lost, as is supposed, but that, on the contrary, they are in
much better condition than at any other time.
[A manifesto published against the brotherhood charges lack of
business ability and neglect in the handling of its funds, so that
much of the money entrusted to it has been lost; and proposes that
the brotherhood be made subject to inspection by the authorities--by
the ecclesiastical ordinary, if the association be considered a pious
body, or by the ordinary with a royal minister, if the association
be regarded as under royal protection. Discussing the manifesto our
author shows that the affairs of the brotherhood have never been more
prosperous. As compared with the religious orders, their capitals
and the returns therefrom show better results, and not nearly so
many arrears. The brothers are good managers and look after their
business carefully. Those who have been benefited by the brotherhood
are so numerous that there are but few in the community who have not
been helped. From the year 1677 when the first fund was established,
the brotherhood has distributed 657,383 pesos, 6 tomins, 6 granos. The
purposes for which this sum has been applied are for masses for souls
in purgatory, alms for the religious orders and royal colleges, dowries
to poor girls, alms to widows, prisoners, and confraternities and their
processions, aid to the sick, and for divine worship, the support and
clothing of its collegiate daughters, support for women in retreat,
and aid for the buildings of their house and chaplaincies, etc. The
complaints against the brotherhood have emanated from those who have
not obtained all the aid that they desired because their credit is not
sufficiently good. If the brotherhood attempt to please everyone they
will end by pleasing no one. No partiality is shown, but affairs are
managed in a businesslike manner. Even were the brotherhood subject
to inspection, it could act with no greater rectitude.]