Storia do Mogor 357.1

357.1

Sirs, although for the space of nearly eight years we have been persecuted in deadly war by the reverend Jesuit Fathers, who have unjustly deprived us of the cure of the Malabar natives, have made us endure many disagreeables, and as you, too, are aware, have had for us no compassion : we, on the contrary, have continued to submit to everything with unspeakable patience, and have never attempted to discredit them. Now, however, they are no longer content to aim at us as persons, but wish also to injure our reputation. Thus, the Lord Bishop of San Thome and the reverend Jesuit fathers are working hard before your Tribunal to besmirch and blacken the reverend Father Esprit, and in his person all the other Capuchins, as mad, disobedient, and scandalous persons. We have therefore judged it well, for the maintenance of our reputation and that of the whole Capuchin Order, to justify our conduct, that we may not pass for such in your opinion.