spel
could best be spread. A synod was called to resolve these points. One
matter of the utmost importance was the approval of standard Tagalog
texts, and Juan de la Concepcion gives the following account of what
transpired in this connection:

"His excellency presided at the meetings. At them the most
learned topics were discussed and the most learned persons
were present--the Dominican father Salvatierra, the most
outstanding scholars among the Augustinians and Franciscans,
the Jesuit fathers Sedeno and Sanchez, and the Licentiate
Don Diego Vasquez de Mercado as dean of the new cathedral. At
this convention or diocesan synod it was discussed whether the
Indians were to be ministered to in their native language, or
if they would be obliged to learn Spanish, and it was decided
to instruct them in their native tongue. The divine office,
the Doctrina Christiana, which Father Fr. Juan de Plasencia
had translated into the Tagalog language, was approved. His
work, the _Arte y Vocabuldrio Tagalo_, was judged most useful
because of the ease by which it permitted an understanding
and thorough knowledge of so foreign a language." [78]

The already quoted account of Santa Ines continues with a similar
description of the Synod, and says that when the problem of teaching
the natives was brought up only Plasencia could resolve it.

"Since, having seen his catechism and the translation which he
had made in Tagalog of the grammar and dictionary, those who
were at the Synod and understood anything of the language could
do nothing but admire the fitness of the terms, their efficacy
and strength. And they said that, without the particular
help of heaven, it seemed impossible that in so short a time
and with so few years in the country he could have done such
excellent work. And then, having approved them, they ordered
that various copies be made, particularly of the translation
of the Doctrina, so that with them and with no other would
the ministers teach the Indians, and so it was approved,
in order that there might be uniformity in all parts of the
Tagalog country. This translation is that which has come down
to this day, except that it is more polished." [79]

It must have been shortly after the handbooks of Plasencia received
the seal of ecclesiastical approval that Salazar wrote the King
speaking of the a