be that your Lordship should think that what you have said pertains to your duty, because that would be a graver matter; for, if your Lordship could stretch your arm so far as that, there would be no need of any bishop in this country, except a titular one, [3] for I do not see what remains to me if your Lordship can do all the things which you imply in this letter.  But please read the chapter, si ymperator, already cited, and you will see how far your powers extend, and what is for me to do.  Your Lordship has plenty to do in your office without extending your authority to mine, and I have plenty to do in mine without treating of what belongs to yours—­although, since I have in my charge your Lordship’s soul, not only as a Christian but as governor, I cannot be so careless as not often to be obliged to examine what you are doing and advise you of what you ought to do.  This your Lordship cannot do with me by virtue of your office, although as friend and lord, as one who desires my good, I shall be pleased to be advised by your Lordship of my faults, which I know very well are not few.  Except in what my office obliges me to, be certain that I shall keep as far from interfering in the matters of your government, or from giving you any trouble, as if I were not living or were not in the country.

This has turned out a very long letter, and certainly my occupations did not give me time for so much; but the great amount of matter in your letter which needed to be answered left me nothing else to do.  Believe me that I am very much opposed to discussing such matter especially when a man has to say something which may seem praise or esteem of himself, which is a thing very unfit for those who try to serve God.  But when this is not done arrogantly, or in vanity, but to defend the necessary truth, it is done as St. Gregory the Pope did against the emperor Maurice, and Gelasius the Pope against the emperor Anastasius.  Even Moses and St. Paul, although they were so humble, when it was necessary to defend their authority said things of themselves which, said in any other connection, would seem wrong; but, spoken for the purpose for which they said them, were rightly spoken.  As I think that what I have said is enough to satisfy your Lordship’s letter (and, if anything remains to be set right, time will not be lacking in which it can be discussed), for the present let this be sufficient.  May our Lord give your Lordship the light of His grace, that you may follow His holy will in everything.  From Quiapo, March twenty-first, one thousand five hundred and ninety-one.

Fray Domingo, Bishop of the Filipinas.

Liberty if the Indians in the Philippines

Gregory XIV, Pope:  In perpetual remembrance of the affair.