[7] This decree is given by Fray Bernardino Nozaleda de Villa, the last Spanish archbishop of Manila, in his Colegio de S. José, (appendix, document no. 5, pp. x, xi), a pamphlet presenting the Church side in the recent controversy of San José College, argued before the Philippine Commission; and also by Pastells, in his edition of Colin, ii, pp. 493, 494. See also various documents treating of this college presented by Pastells, ut supra, iii, pp. 763–781. [↑]
SECULAR PRIESTS IN THE PHILIPPINES
Summary of a letter by Archbishop Pardo (dated June 6, 1680), in answer to a letter from the king and a royal decree of August 22, 1077.
This decree ordained that the archbishop should make all the efforts that he possibly could to maintain at their studies such Indians of the islands as were inclined to that pursuit, and in due time should promote them to holy orders, when he found them properly instructed; and that for this purpose some boys should enter the colleges that the Dominicans and Jesuits maintain, until a seminary be founded. The archbishop stated the little inclination that the Indians have for theological and moral studies, and that there was the additional difficulty of their evil customs, their vices, and their preconceived ideas—which made it necessary to treat them as children, even when they were fifty or sixty years old. He considered even the sons of Spaniards, born in the islands, unsuitable for priests, since they were reared by Indian or slave women, because of their defective training and education in youth. Finally, on account of the sloth produced by the climate, and of effeminacy and levity of disposition, it was evident that if they were ordained priests and made ministers to the Indians when they were not sufficiently qualified therefor, through the necessity there was for them, they did not again open a book, and with their vicious habits set a very bad example to their parishioners. That which should be done was to send from España those religious who were most zealous for the conversion of souls.[1]
[1] See LeRoy’s Philippine Life in Town and Country (New York and London, 1905), pp. 120–122. See also various estimates on the capacities of the Filipinos in LeRoy’s article “Friars in the Philippines,” in Political Science Quarterly, xviii, pp. 675–678. [↑]
ROYAL DECREE CONCERNING NATIVE SCHOOLS
The King. Inasmuch as it is ordered by law v, título 13, book i,[1] of the Nueva Recopilación de las Indias that all the archbishops and bishops of the Indias give order in their dioceses to the curas and missionaries to the effect that by using the most mild means, they order and direct all the Indians to be taught the Spanish language, and the Christian doctrine in that language, so that they may become more proficient in the mysteries of our holy Catholic faith, gain profit for their salvation, and attain other advantages in their government and mode of living; and inasmuch as it is ordered by another law, namely, law xviii, título i, of book vi, that schools be founded for the Indians and teachers appointed to teach the Castilian language to those who wish of their own free will to learn it, in the manner that may be of least trouble to them and without cost to them; and since it appears that the sacristans of the churches can do this well, just as in the villages of these kingdoms they teach reading, writing, and the Christian doctrine:[2] therefore, considering, in my royal Council of the Indias, the great advisability of observing this in the future strictly and inviolably, as it is inferred to be the most efficient means for banishing idolatries, to which the Indians are for the greater part addicted at present, as they were in the beginning of their conversion, from this means also it follows that the vexations which are practiced on them will cease in whole or in great part, and the Indians will be able to make their complaints directly to the superiors without making use of interpreters, who being bribed change the translation, I have resolved to order and command, as I do by this present, my viceroys, presidents, governors, corregidors, and alcaldes-mayor, who hold office at present or shall hold office in the future, of all the provinces of Nueva España, Guatemala, Filipinas Islands, and Barlovento, and I ask and request the archbishops and bishops of the metropolitan churches and cathedrals of those countries, each one, so far as it concerns him, to watch carefully and strictly over the observance of the laws above cited. They shall cause them to be carried out strictly, without any opposition or interpretation, so that the Indians may study the Castilian language and begin immediately to learn it. I charge all to have especial care in this, and I warn (as I do by this present) the viceroys, presidents, governors, corregidors, and alcaldes-mayor of all the provinces and islands above mentioned, that the non-observance of this shall be charged against them in their residencias.[3] I also order and command generally all the ecclesiastical and secular ministers mentioned in this despatch, to report to me on all occasions when a fleet sails, and on all other occasions that offer, that they have placed in practice what is expressed and mentioned by the above-mentioned laws, and of what they shall continue to do in their observance and punctual performance, and the result thereof; for it is so important for the end which is proposed and so to the service of God and myself, to be informed of the results which I hope will follow from the observance and fulfilment of the abovesaid laws. Given in Madrid, June 20, 1686.