When the West Indies were brought to the Catholic faith and thereby
made subject to the holy Roman Church, his imperial Majesty Charles the
Fifth being their master in temporals, the province of Castile of the
Order of St. Augustine sent thither twelve religious, who while
founding convents in the City of Mexico [125] and other places were for
some years under the provincial of Castile, who however had no other
title of jurisdiction over them than the fact that he had sent thither
the first brethren to preach the holy gospel. Subsequently the brethren
and convents having increased in number, they became subject to the
provincial of their own choice, nor did they ever recognize the
provincial of Castile as their chief, but only the most reverend father
[general], the same as was always done by other provinces. The reasons
wherefore the provinces of the Indies are not subject to the province
of Castile are as follows:
First. Because from the foundation of the order, it was divided into
provinces, which, no matter how small, never were made subject to one
another. All are under provincials, who in turn are under the immediate
jurisdiction of the said most reverend father-general as head of the
whole order. Otherwise, unless the brethren had recourse to their
father-general, disorders and disagreements would spring up among them
and they moreover would be distressed and ill-treated.
2d. That every province of the Indies, besides being larger and
wealthier than the province of Castile, is every bit as observant and
religious, with men of equal worth, who, in short, live there in such
perfection and so uprightly. Therefore, it [i.e., subjection to another
province] would cause the greatest disturbance and trouble to those
brethren who serve the Lord God in the conversion of those new plants
with so great sincerity of heart.
3d. That the purpose wherefore the brethren of the province of Castile
strove to rule the provinces of the Indies was one of self interest
rather than zeal, in that they carried off the wealth of the convents
of the Indies to those of Castile, and whenever in need sent brethren
thither to get money under the plea of alms, as in fact has happened.
4th. That, as provincials hold office only for three years, they cannot
become acquainted with or get information relative to the persons or
affairs of those countries. Wherefore, their government of them would
be confused. For, as every three years the superior is changed, he
could get information of those provinces only once [during his term of
office], whence it would follow that he would have to rule blindly in
all matters.
5th. That all the provinces of the Indies have entered objections to
being subject to the province of Castile, which on many occasions in
its endeavor to uphold its mastery over the said brethren of the Indies
has harassed them and put their provinces to great expense in their
efforts to free themselves from that yoke.
6th. That the provinces of the Indies have no need of the brethren of
Spain. Nay, they would rather send to the Philippine Islands their own
brethren, such as would wish to go thither in order to apply themselves
with zeal in the preaching of the gospel.
7th. And finally, in no way is it right to have so extensive and
important a part separated from the body of the order. For, with the
increase of leaders an increase of confusion ensues, which in turn
leads to the ruin and annihilation of the commonwealth, and of the
authority of the father-general, from whom as from a common head all
the members depend, to the end that he be recognized and revered, and
the order governed well; wherefore, it is not right that the brethren
of the Indies, who, besides being so well disciplined, are learned, as
well as observant of their constitutions, should be governed by a chief
whom they themselves have not chosen. Moreover, to withhold from them
the right of selecting their own general, to whom they may apply in
need, would be doing them a grave wrong, in that their essential vows,
which they profess conformably to our constitutions, would thus be
disregarded.
8th. The provincials of Castile received express mandate and command
from the father master, Thaddeus of Perugia, [126] general for the time
being, and from the most illustrious Cardinal of Mont Claro when in
Spain, not to busy themselves with the government of the provinces of
the Indies, by not only giving up the office of vicar but also the use
of that title.
Lastly. In general chapter held in Rome in 92, a petition was presented
in the interest of the province of Mexico and of other provinces. The
reasons whereof having been considered, the definitors of the province
of Castile having been summoned, and the reasons of each side heard, a
decree was passed which, while enjoining the provincial of Castile from
any longer busying himself with the said government, ordered him under
pain of being treated as a rebel, as well as under divers other
penalties and censures, to hold his peace for all time—a sentence
that was confirmed through the goodness of Pope Clement the Eighth. Of
this, notice was sent to the provincial of Castile and the
procurator-general of the province [of the Philippine Islands?]. From
that day to this no change has been made and [the decree] is faithfully
observed at present.
[Endorsed: “By the most illustrious Cardinal Santa Severina.”]
[Endorsed: “Reasons why the provinces and provincials of the Indies
be not subject to the provinces and provincials of Spain.”]
[Endorsed: “Submitted by the reverend father prior-general of the
Order of Hermit Brethren of St. Augustine, November 7, 1599.”]
[This Collection of three documents is addressed on the back of the
outside wrapper:
“To Cardinal Santa Severina, to be acted upon in the sacred
Congregation of Propaganda Fide.”]
[Endorsed: “The Hermit Brethren of St. Augustine of the Philippine
Islands.”]
[Endorsed: “I received it September [sic: perhaps, December] 18,
1599.”]