Storia do Mogor 338.4.5

338.4.5

Upon receipt of this reply the leave to the Reverend Father Friar Lourenço was given. Let the reader here pay attention. The object of the Abate was to drive the superior of Madras into a corner, and he argued thus : ' If Friar Lourenço enters Madras, then the superior of Madras can go to Pondicherry. Whatever difficulty applies to the one applies to the other case. Thus the interdict which had been fulminated was properly launched.' Nor did he talk badly, since unjust acts, done out of place, cannot remain otherwise than committed, even if only executed in part. Let us, however, see the conclusion. ' If Friar Lourenço cannot get in, we can always try conclusions with the superior of Madras. In that case (at the very worst) we shall proceed against him as disobedient to his ecclesiastical superiors.' Let not the reader imagine that there is in this the slightest exaggeration — there is nothing but the purest truth. For thus spoke the Abate publicly at San Thome. The Reverend Father Friar Lourenço came with a letter of recommendation from Monsieur Martin, governor of Pondicherry, addressed to the Lord Governor of Madras. By its means, and assisted by an English friend, who took much trouble in this matter, he got into the Fort, where he was very well received by the Lord Governor. He came then to the convent, and all the time he remained he performed there the office of parish priest, to the content of all, whereby the Christians were relieved.