s administered by Jesuits, with the names of
the priests in charge. To this we append a similar report, made the
year before, enumerating the missions in Mindanao and the population
of each.
The archbishop of Manila, Miguel Poblete, writes to the king (July
30, 1656), making some suggestions regarding diocesan affairs: that
the bishopric of Camarines be discontinued, and its prelate assigned
to the Moro and heathen peoples farther south; and that ministers
be sent from Manila to outlying islands for their spiritual aid,
as thus far these have been dependent on Goa. Poblete asks whether
he shall ordain Portuguese priests who come to him for this office;
on this point the royal Council ask for further information.
Two memorials presented (1658) by the Jesuits to the king ask that
a tribunal of the Inquisition be established at Manila, and that
the religious jurisdiction of Ternate be vested in the archbishop
of Manila.
A memorial to the king is presented (1658?) by Miguel Solana,
procurator-general at Madrid for the Jesuits of Filipinas,
protesting against the erection of Santo Tomas college at Manila
into a university, claiming that this will interfere with the rights
already granted to the Jesuit college of San Ignacio there. Solana
accuses the Dominicans of trickery and bribery in having obtained
privileges for Santo Tomas; and maintains that the rights of his
order have been legally granted and authenticated, while the claims
of the Dominicans are mere assertions. Nevertheless, the latter are
scheming to secure new letters and bulls granting their pretensions;
Solana adduces various arguments to show that they should not be
allowed the privileges of a university in Santo Tomas, and that
such a foundation should rather be made in San Ignacio, which "will
be subject in all things to the behest and commands of your Majesty
and your Council." The king is asked to examine certain documents in
the case, which show that the students of Santo Tomas are obliged
to swear allegiance to the doctrines taught by Aquinas, and are
not allowed to teach other branches than philosophy and theology;
moreover, that college has "no teachers who are acquainted with the
first principles" of medicine and law; and the curious statement is
made that there is no graduate physician in the Philippine Islands,
since one could not obtain a living, and the sick are treated by
Chinese. There is no need and no room there for a regular university
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