s
of the said order, the same as if the letters inserted ahead had not
been issued. The same letters inserted ahead and all other things to
the contrary notwithstanding.
"Given in Castel Gandolfo [13] of the diocese of Albano, under the
seal of the Fisherman, the eighteenth day of May, the year one thousand
six hundred and thirty-four, and the eleventh year of our pontificate."
This entire clause appears inserted in the brief, after the relation
which is made therein of the brief which his Holiness Gregory XV
issued in favor of the alternate elections--which is the one which
his Holiness [Urban VIII] revoked by the said letters, as appears by
them. We presented this brief to the archbishop of Manila, to whom
its execution came committed, with the cognizance of the clause _si
preces veritate nitantur_; [14] and with the said brief the attorneys
for our cause presented three certified statements by the provincial
and definitory of this province, drawn from its books, and sworn
to and signed by all. In one of these statements is contained the
number of the religious in this province who took the habit and made
profession in the kingdoms of Espana. Of these there are ninety-three,
among whom are two youths graduated in theology; ten lecturers in
arts and theology; thirty preachers who completed their studies in the
realms and universities of Espana, and in that country received their
diplomas as preachers; and twenty-four preachers who came to these
islands before they completed their studies, and received that title
in these provinces. In another statement is contained the number of
the religious in this province who have taken the habit in the Indias;
these are thirty-three. Six of them should be excluded: two of these
are of Portuguese nationality, sons of the Congregation of Yndia--who,
by a decree of his Majesty, and the decision of a full definitory of
this province, are commanded to return to their own congregation. Two
others are prevented from saying mass--one by old age, and the other
by having been insane more than fifteen years. Another is of Japanese
nationality; and the sixth is a mestizo, son of a Portuguese father and
a Japanese mother. At the foot of this memorandum is a declaration by
the definitory that there are other persons on the list therein who are
disqualified, legally and by our constitutions, from holding offices
in our holy order--whom, if it should be necessary, they will make
known. In the
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