The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 09 of 55 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 293 pages of information about The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 09 of 55.

The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 09 of 55 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 293 pages of information about The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 09 of 55.

Therefore I command you upon receipt of this despatch, to propose to his Holiness, and supplicate him, in my name, that he may be pleased to elevate into a metropolitan see the said cathedral church of Manila, and to create the three bishoprics aforesaid—­one in the church of the city of Nueva-Segovia in the province of Cagayan in the island of Luzon, under the protection of the Conception of Our Lady; one in the city of Caceres in the territory of Camarines, in the same island, under the protection of St. John the Evangelist; and the other in the aforesaid city of Santisimo Nombre de Xesus, in the island of Cebu, of that archipelago, under the protection of the guardian angel.  In this way each one may exercise in his diocese the pastoral office; and the metropolitan archbishop, together with the bishops, may labor with jurisdiction, authority, and power in the conversion and instruction of the said natives; and he and they may provide for other spiritual matters which may seem desirable for the maintenance of divine worship and the salvation of souls.  But for the present, and until affairs be more settled in those regions and tithes established, no cathedral churches shall be erected, or dignitaries or canonries provided for, except that the bishops shall dwell privately in the monasteries of their order which are situated in the aforesaid cities.  Nevertheless, in order that the said cathedral churches may be erected in due time, and that for the present, definite territories may be assigned to the aforesaid archbishopric, and to the bishops, you must thus entreat his Holiness, in my name, to give me power to add to or to change the said territories, when and in such wise as may seem most fitting to me.  At the same time, you will present and nominate to his Holiness, in my name, Fray Ygnacio de Santibanez, [23] of the order of St. Francis, as archbishop of the aforesaid church of Manila, in place of the late Fray Domingo de Salazar, of the order of St. Dominic, the first and last bishop of that city; for the bishopric of Nueva-Segovia, Fray Miguel de Benavides, of the order of St. Dominic; for the bishopric of the city of Santisimo Nombre de Xesus, in the island of Cebu, Fray Pedro de Agurto, of the order of St. Augustine; and for the bishopric of the city of Caceres, Fray Luis Maldonado, of the order of St. Francis.  By these presents I nominate them and offer them as candidates to his Holiness, in order that by this nomination—­which I make as patron of all the churches of the Indias—­he may bestow upon them these churches and the aforesaid archbishopric and bishoprics; for from the favorable accounts that I have of the goodness, learning, virtue, and exemplary lives of the aforesaid religious, I trust that our Lord will be well served by these provisions and the churches well governed and administered.  Moreover, in according me this, his Holiness will confer upon me a special favor and kindness, which you will therefore make known to him.  You will

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The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 09 of 55 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.